By: Kyle James | 01-18-2018 | News
Photo credit: espnw.com

USA Gymnastics Says They Won't Fine McKayla Maroney For Speaking Out Against Larry Nassar

A victim of a Gymnastics doctor who sexually abused at least 125 young girls has come forward to speak publicly after USA Gymnastics said they will not fine U.S. gymnast McKayla Maroney for speaking against Nassar.

Nassar has been on trial in recent weeks and Maroney is not expected to speak during the four-day sentencing hearing for Nassar, the former national medical coordinator for USA Gymnastics. The gymnastics organization originally settled with Maroney for $1.25 million in exchange for signing a confidentiality agreement.

"If Maroney spoke publicly against Nassar, she would be in violation of the confidentiality agreement and face a $100,000 fine. Now, USA Gymnastics has said they will not seek any money from Maroney after she filed a lawsuit against the company claiming they forced her to sign the confidentiality agreement in 2015," the organization said Tuesday night.

"This has been her right and USA Gymnastics encourages McKayla and anyone who has been abused to speak out. USA Gymnastics remains focused on our highest priority – the safety, health, and well-being of our athletes and creating a culture that empowers and supports them."

Maroney is adamant the statement is not an accurate reflection of the truth and that USA Gymnastics knew about the abuse and actively covered it up. Maroney's attorney, John Manly, says USA Gymnastics continues to misrepresent her, "They say McKayla has 'always had the right to speak.' Not true."

"Under the [agreement's] terms she could not speak in court unless subpoenaed. She could not even have her statement read without fear of a lawsuit against her by USAG. A victim impact statement is a voluntary act. It's not a subpoena," Manly said. "Let's be clear. The only reason this statement was issued is that people were outraged at USAG's behavior toward Ms. Maroney and her family." Manly went on to say that people were so outraged they offered to pay the $100,000 USAG penalty for her.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The entire principle of this should be fought - an NDA to stay quiet about this serial monster with over 140 accusers, but I would be absolutely honored to pay this fine for you, McKayla. <a href="https://t.co/lsBEgEqZpD">pic.twitter.com/lsBEgEqZpD</a></p>&mdash; christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/chrissyteigen/status/953299788702695429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"So outraged that people were kindly offering to pay the six-figure USAG penalty so McKayla could speak. Everyday Americans get that no one should be silenced about child molestation. This is especially true when the abused is a young athlete who competed in the Olympic Games for our Country and brought honor and dignity to our nation," Manly continued.

"It is truly sad that USA Gymnastics and the USOC didn't and don't get it. They have no choice to relent because the cleansing sunlight of truth is shining upon them and they can no longer hide their misdeeds."

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Source: http://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/22131861/usa-gymnastics-seek-fine-mckayla-maroney-speaks-sexual-abuse

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1 Comment/s
MeToo TimesUp No. 16367 2018-01-18 : 04:50

What a gall !! Isn't that so "nice" to not fine the woman for telling the truth. We will all pay the god damned fine. #Karma ##MeToo #TelltheTruth #WomynUnited Speak out, speak up!!

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