Ex-USA Gymnastics doctor pleads guilty to sexual assault

A former USA Gymnastics sports doctor accused of molestation by several U.S. Olympians pleaded guilty to several sexual assault charges on Wednesday.

Larry Nassar admitted to having molested seven girls during his time working as a doctor for gymnasts at Michigan State University and at his nearby home and faces additional lawsuits accusing him of abuse by more than 125 other women, The Associated Press reports.

The doctor, who lost his license in April, consented to a minimum 25-year prison sentence in his plea, but the Ingham County court judge could bump the sentence to a minimum of 40 years. 

{mosads}

U.S. Olympic gymnasts McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas have each come forward to accuse Nassar of abuse. Nassar worked as a team doctor for USA Gymnastics, the sport’s governing body in the U.S., that works to train Olympic gymnasts.

All except for one of the seven accusers were gymnasts.

They testified that Nassar molested them with his hands while saying he was helping to treat them for injuries. 

Nassar admitted that his actions toward the girls had no legitimate medical purpose and that he did not have their consent. The accusers said Nassar carried out the actions while their parents were in the treatment room.

The disgraced doctor is also awaiting a federal court sentencing for charges for possession of child pornography, which he pleaded guilty to last year. 

Nassar is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on Jan. 12.