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| USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar pleads guilty to sex charges | USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar pleads guilty to sex charges |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Former USA Olympic gymnastics sports doctor Larry Nassar has pleaded guilty to seven charges of sexual assault against women and girls in his care. | Former USA Olympic gymnastics sports doctor Larry Nassar has pleaded guilty to seven charges of sexual assault against women and girls in his care. |
| He was charged with molesting seven girls, many of whom are gymnasts, while working for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University. | He was charged with molesting seven girls, many of whom are gymnasts, while working for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University. |
| As part of the plea deal, Nassar, 54, could face at least 25 years in prison. | As part of the plea deal, Nassar, 54, could face at least 25 years in prison. |
| The hearing comes after a third former US Olympian, Gabby Douglas, accused him of sexual abuse. | The hearing comes after a third former US Olympian, Gabby Douglas, accused him of sexual abuse. |
| Douglas reveals abuse by team doctor | Douglas reveals abuse by team doctor |
| In a statement to the court on Wednesday, Nassar said he was pleading guilty to "move the community forward and stop the hurting". | In a statement to the court on Wednesday, Nassar said he was pleading guilty to "move the community forward and stop the hurting". |
| "I'm so sorry that this was like a match that turned into a forest fire, out of control," he said. | "I'm so sorry that this was like a match that turned into a forest fire, out of control," he said. |
| "I want them to heal. I want this community to heal. I have no animosity toward any one. I just want healing. It's time." | "I want them to heal. I want this community to heal. I have no animosity toward any one. I just want healing. It's time." |
| "You used that position of trust that you had in the most vile way - to abuse children," Ingham County Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina said, noting that sex abuse is a nationwide "epidemic". | "You used that position of trust that you had in the most vile way - to abuse children," Ingham County Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina said, noting that sex abuse is a nationwide "epidemic". |
| "You violated the oath that you took, which is to do no harm, and you harmed them. Selfishly." | "You violated the oath that you took, which is to do no harm, and you harmed them. Selfishly." |
| Many of his accusers testified that they were abused while he was examining the young athletes, and sometimes while their parents were nearby. | Many of his accusers testified that they were abused while he was examining the young athletes, and sometimes while their parents were nearby. |
| He has been accused of abusing more than 130 women - including Olympic gold medalists Ms Douglas, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney - during his time as team doctor for the US women's gymnastics team. | He has been accused of abusing more than 130 women - including Olympic gold medalists Ms Douglas, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney - during his time as team doctor for the US women's gymnastics team. |
| Ms Douglas, who was one of the so-called Fierce Five that won gold medals at the London Olympics in 2012, revealed her accusation on Instagram. | Ms Douglas, who was one of the so-called Fierce Five that won gold medals at the London Olympics in 2012, revealed her accusation on Instagram. |
| "I didn't publicly share my experiences as well as many other things because for years we were conditioned to stay silent and some things were extremely painful," she wrote. | "I didn't publicly share my experiences as well as many other things because for years we were conditioned to stay silent and some things were extremely painful," she wrote. |
| During the hearing Ms Raisman, a member of the 2012 and 2016 Olympic teams, tweeted that she was "disgusted" that Nassar, who lost his licence, was referred to as a doctor. | During the hearing Ms Raisman, a member of the 2012 and 2016 Olympic teams, tweeted that she was "disgusted" that Nassar, who lost his licence, was referred to as a doctor. |
| Nassar's case was part of a scandal which saw USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny resign last year. Mr Penny was accused by victims of failing to quickly notify authorities about abuse allegations. | Nassar's case was part of a scandal which saw USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny resign last year. Mr Penny was accused by victims of failing to quickly notify authorities about abuse allegations. |
| In a statement after the plea deal was announced, USA Gymnastics - the organisation which determines the US Olympic team - said it is "very sorry that any athlete was harmed" by their former doctor. | |
| They added that it was "important" that he acknowledged "his appalling and devious conduct" in court and said the deal "permits punishment without further victimisation of survivors". | |
| Nassar has already pleaded guilty to multiple charges of child pornography in federal court and could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. | Nassar has already pleaded guilty to multiple charges of child pornography in federal court and could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. |
| Before accepting the plea, Judge Aquilina asked him to confirm that he did not wear gloves when abusing his victims between 1998 and 2015, when he was fired. | Before accepting the plea, Judge Aquilina asked him to confirm that he did not wear gloves when abusing his victims between 1998 and 2015, when he was fired. |
| The alleged examinations were "not for any medical purposes is that right? It was for your own purpose, is that right?", the judge asked. Nassar responded: "Yes." | The alleged examinations were "not for any medical purposes is that right? It was for your own purpose, is that right?", the judge asked. Nassar responded: "Yes." |
| He is due to be sentenced on 12 January. | He is due to be sentenced on 12 January. |