Davis V MSU Complaint
Davis V MSU Complaint
Davis V MSU Complaint
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ERIKA DAVIS
Plaintiff,
v.
Lead Case No.: 1:17-cv-00029
Defendants.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. ERIKA DAVIS 36
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______________________________________________________________________________
NOW COMES Plaintiff, by and through her attorney, McKeen and Associates, P.C. and
1. This is a civil action for declaratory, injunctive, equitable, and monetary relief for injuries
sustained by Plaintiff as a result of the acts, conduct, and omissions of Lawrence Nassar,
D.O., Michigan State University (“MSU”), USA Gymnastics, Inc. (“USAG”), and
Twistars USA, Inc. (“Twistars”) and their respective employees, representatives, and
agents, relating to rape, sexual assault, abuse, molestation, and nonconsensual sexual
touching and harassment by Defendant Nassar against Plaintiff who was a minor when the
specifically in the sports community as the Team Physician for the United States
Gymnastics team.
4. Plaintiff had no reason to suspect Defendant Nassar was anything other than a competent
5. From approximately 1992 to 2016 Defendant Nassar worked for Michigan State University
6. From 1986 to approximately 2015 Defendant Nassar also worked for USA Gymnastics in
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7. For over 20 years, Defendant Nassar had unfettered access to young female athletes
through the Sports Medicine Clinic at MSU, and through his involvement with USAG and
8. To gain Plaintiff’s trust, at appointments, Defendant Nassar would convince Plaintiff that
9. Between 1992 and 2016, under the guise of medical study and medical treatment,
nonconsensual vaginal and anal digital penetration or by rubbing and sucking on her
10. Plaintiff was seeking treatment for various pain and functional complaints, such as knee
11. In 1997 or 1998, Larissa Boyce, named in a separate complaint, reported to MSU
gymnastics coach Kathie Klages concerns regarding Defendant Nassar’s conduct and
“treatment,” but Defendant Klages dissuaded the athlete from completing a formal report
by warning Larissa that the report would have serious consequences for her and Nassar.
12. As a result of Defendant Klages being informed about Nassar’s conduct, at least one other
athlete, identified in additional pleadings, was asked by Klages if Nassar had performed
the “procedure” involving digital vaginal and anal penetration on that athlete, who
responded in the affirmative. Defendant Klages told the athlete that there is no reason to
13. In 1999, a MSU student athlete, reported to trainers and her coach who were employees of
MSU concerns about Defendant Nassar’s conduct and “treatment,” yet MSU failed to take
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14. In 2000, another MSU student athlete reported to trainers concerns about Defendant
Nassar’s conduct and “treatment,” yet again MSU failed to take any action in response to
her complaints.
15. Many victims were seen alone with only the individual victim and Defendant Nassar in the
16. At other times, Defendant Nassar would position himself in a manner in which parents or
17. Because MSU took no action to investigate the 1997 or 1998, 1999, or 2000 complaints
and took no corrective action, from 1998 to 2016, many victims were minors, were also
and anal digital penetration, nonconsensual sexual touching of the vaginal area without the
use of gloves or lubricant and by nonconsensual touching and groping of their breasts under
18. While most victims were assaulted at MSU, other victims were assaulted at USAG
19. The ages of the victims when assaulted ranged from approximately 10 to 34 years old.
20. Additional complaints regarding Defendant Nassar’s conduct surfaced in 2014. Amanda
Thomashow reported she had an appointment with Defendant Nassar to address hip pain
and was sexually abused and molested by Defendant Nassar when he cupped her buttocks,
massaged her breast and vaginal area, and became sexually aroused.1
21. Upon information and belief, Defendant MSU investigated the 2014 complaints through
1
See, At MSU: Assault, harassment and secrecy. Matt Mencarini, December 15, 2016. Available
at, http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2016/12/15/michigan-state-sexual-
assault-harassment-larry-nassar/94993582/. (Last accessed January 5, 2017).
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their Office of Institutional Equity, and although the victim reported to Defendant MSU
certain facts, some were omitted from the investigative report including but not limited to
the following:
b. The appointment with Defendant Nassar did not end until Amanda Thomashow
22. Three months after initiating the investigation, in July 2014, Amanda Thomashow’s
complaints were dismissed and Defendant MSU determined she didn’t understand the
“nuanced difference” between sexual assault and an appropriate medical procedure and
nature.”2
23. Following the 2014 investigation, Defendant Nassar became subject to new institutional
guidelines, one of which – it is believed – was that Defendant Nassar was not to examine
25. Through his position with MSU, his notoriety, and support by USAG and Twistars,
Defendant Nassar used his position of authority as a medical professional to abuse Plaintiff
26. Defendant Nassar carried out these acts without fully explaining the “treatment” or
27. All of Defendant Nassar’s acts were conducted under the guise of providing medical care
2
Id.
3
Id.
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28. The failure to give proper notice or to obtain consent for the purported “treatment” from
Plaintiff or her parents robbed them of the opportunity to reject the “treatment.”
29. Defendant Nassar used his position of trust and confidence in an abusive manner causing
Plaintiff to suffer a variety of injuries including shock, humiliation, emotional distress and
30. In September 2016, a story was published in the Indianapolis Star regarding a complaint
filed with Defendant MSU’s Police Department titled “Former USA Gymnastics doctor
Nassar.
31. Following the September 2016 publication, other victims began coming forward after
recognizing that they were victims of sexual abuse at a time when most of them were
minors.
32. Plaintiff has been forced to relive the trauma of the sexual assaults.
33. In summer 2015, USAG relieved Defendant Nassar of his duties after becoming aware of
concerns about his actions, yet USAG failed to inform Michigan State University of the
34. As early as 1997, representatives of Michigan State University were made aware of
the sexual assault, abuse, and molestation of victims through approximately 2016.
35. Michigan State University’s deliberate indifference before, during, and after the sexual
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assault, abuse, and molestation of Plaintiff was in violation of Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., 42 U.S. C. § 1983, as well as other Federal
36. MSU and USAG’s failure to properly supervise Defendant Nassar and their negligence in
37. In late November 2016, Defendant Nassar was arrested and charged in Ingham County,
Michigan on three charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13,
which is a felony punishable with a maximum penalty of imprisonment for life without the
possibility of parole.4
38. In mid-December 2016, Defendant Nassar was indicted, arrested, and charged in Federal
39. On February 22, 2017, Defendant Nassar was arraigned on 22 counts of first-degree
criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13 years old, and 14 counts of third-degree
criminal sexual conduct with a person under the age of 13 years old in Ingham County,
40. The acts, conduct, and omissions of Defendants Michigan State University, USA
Gymnastics, and Twistars, and their policies, customs, and practices with respect to
investigating sexual assault allegations severely compromised the safety and health of
4
People v. Nassar, State of Michigan, Ingham County Circuit Court Case No. 17-143-FC.
5
People v. Nassar, Ingham County District Court Case No. 17-00425-FY, see also,
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/ag/Nassar_affidavit_Ingham_County_charges_Feb._2017_
552531_7.pdf
6
People v. Nassar, Eaton County District Court Case No. 17-0318-FY, see also,
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/ag/Nassar_affidavit_Eaton_County_charges_Feb._2017_5
52536_7.pdf
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Plaintiff and an unknown number of individuals, and have resulted in repeated instances of
sexual assault, abuse, and molestation of Plaintiff by Defendant Nassar, which has been
41. On or about July 11, 2017, Defendant Nassar pleaded guilty in his federal criminal case to:
2252A(a)(5)(B); and (3) Destruction and Concealment of Records and Tangible Objects,
42. On November 11, 2017 Defendant Nassar pleaded guilty to seven counts of first-degree
43. On November 29, 2017 Defendant Nassar pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree
44. On December 7, 2017 Defendant Nassar was sentenced to three twenty-year sentences to
the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
45. This action arises from Defendants’ blatant disregard for Plaintiff’s federal and state rights,
46. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
47. This action is brought pursuant to Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, 20
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48. This is also an action to redress the deprivation of Plaintiff’s constitutional rights under the
49. Subject matter jurisdiction is founded upon 28 U.S.C. § 1331 which gives district courts
jurisdiction over all civil actions arising under the Constitution, laws, and treaties of the
United States.
50. Subject matter jurisdiction is also founded upon 28 U.S.C. § 1343 which gives district
courts original jurisdiction over any civil actions authorized by law to be brought by any
person to redress the deprivation, under color of any State Law, statute, ordinance,
regulation, custom or usage, of any right, privilege or immunity secured by the Constitution
of the United States or by any Act of Congress providing for equal rights of citizens or of
all persons within the jurisdiction of the United States, and any civil action to recover
damages or to secure equitable relief under any Act of Congress providing for the
51. Plaintiff further invokes the supplemental jurisdiction of this Court, pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§ 1367(a) to hear and decide claims arising under state law that are so related to the claims
within the original jurisdiction of this Court that they form part of the same case or
controversy.
52. The claims are cognizable under the United States Constitution, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, 20
53. The events giving rise to this lawsuit occurred in Ingham County, Michigan and Eaton
County, Michigan both of which sit in the Southern Division of the Western District of
Michigan.
54. Venue is proper in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan,
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pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(2), in that this is the judicial district in which the events
55. Plaintiff has filed a Notice of Intent to File Claim with the Michigan Court of Claims in
56. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
57. With the exception of Plaintiff Erika Davis, the names of the Plaintiffs have been withheld
from this Complaint to protect their identities they were minor children at the time the
58. Plaintiff Erika Davis is a resident of California. She was a minor for at least a portion of
the time she was sexually assaulted, abused, and molested by Defendant Nassar.
59. Defendant Lawrence “Larry” Nassar, was formerly a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, and
is a resident of Michigan.
60. Defendant Michigan State University (hereinafter, “Defendant MSU”) was at all relevant
times and continues to be a public university organized and existing under the laws of the
state of Michigan.
61. Defendant MSU receives federal financial assistance and is therefore subject to Title IX of
62. Defendant The Board of Trustees of Michigan State University (hereinafter, “Defendant
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Plaintiff will seek an Order of the Court regarding disclosure of Plaintiff’ identities and all
conditions for disclosure.
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63. Lou Anna K. Simon is the immediate past President of Defendant MSU, appointed in
approximately January 2005. Prior to her appointment as President, Ms. Simon held several
associate provost, and provost and vice president for academic affairs during her career
with MSU.
64. Lou Anna K. Simon resigned her position as President of Defendant MSU on January 24,
2018.
65. John Mathias Engler is the former Governor of the State of Michigan and is currently
66. M. Peter McPherson served as President of Defendant MSU from approximately 1993 –
2004.
67. Mark Hollis is the immediate past Athletic Director of Defendant MSU.
68. Defendant William D. Strampel, D.O. (“Defendant Strampel”) was the Dean of the College
April 2002 and as Acting Dean between December 2001 and April 2002. Upon information
and belief, in December 2017, Defendant Strampel stepped down from his role as Dean of
the College of Osteopathic Medicine for “medical reasons,” but Defendant Strampel will
69. Defendant Jeffrey R. Kovan, D.O. (“Defendant Kovan”) is or was the Director of Division
of Sports Medicine at Michigan State University and was the supervisor of the Department
70. Defendant Douglas Dietzel, D.O. (“Defendant Dietzel”) is the Clinical Director of MSU
Sports Medicine and Team Orthopedic Surgeon for MSU Department of Intercollegiate
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Athletics serving as Clinical Director of MSU Sports Medicine since approximately 2004.
71. Defendant Brooke Lemmen, D.O. (“Defendant Lemmen”) is or was a practicing physician
72. Defendant Kathie Klages (“Defendant Klages”) was the head coach of the Michigan State
University Gymnastics Program until her suspension and resignation in early 2017; she
also conducted gymnastics classes and programs for children and young adults not on the
73. Defendant Klages regularly referred MSU student athletes as well as young athletes who
74. Defendant Gary E. Stollak (“Defendant Stollak”) was a professor in the clinical program
trainer for Defendant MSU for various sports including, but not limited to, softball, track
76. Defendant Teachnor-Hauk regularly referred MSU student athletes to Defendant Nassar
77. Defendant MSU, Defendant MSU Trustees, Defendant Nassar, Defendant Stollak,
78. At all relevant times the MSU Defendants maintained employment and offices at
79. Defendant United States of America Gymnastics (hereinafter “Defendant USAG”) was and
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conducting business throughout the United States, including but not limited to Michigan.
80. The U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Gymnastics Federation has designated
Defendant USAG as the national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in the United
States.
81. USAG advertises on its website: “Since 1990—prior to almost all other National
their families.”8
82. Steve Penny was the president of Defendant USAG, named in approximately April 2005,
who is currently responsible for the overall management and strategic planning of
83. Robert Colarossi is the past president of Defendant USAG and held the position from
approximately 1998 to 2005, and during that time was responsible for the overall
84. Defendant Twistars USA, Inc. d/b/a Gedderts’ Twistars USA Gymnastics Club
in Michigan.
85. Defendant John Geddert (“Defendant Geddert”) is the owner and operator of Twistars
86. Defendant Twistars is a member club and agent or instrumentality of Defendant USAG.
87. Defendant USAG requires member clubs to pay it a fee in order to hold Defendant USAG
8
https://usagym.org/pages/education/safesport/.
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sanctioned events.
88. Defendant USAG also issues rules and requirements for its member clubs and exercises
some degree of control over its member clubs because Defendant USAG has the authority
89. Defendant USAG also requires all coaches, judges, and athletes to pay it a membership fee
90. As such, Defendant Twistars required all gymnasts interested in competing to become
91. Club membership in Defendant USAG is a substantial benefit for Defendant Twistars and
92. At all relevant times, Defendant Geddert served as an agent of Defendant USAG and served
as the 2011 USA World Championship Team Head Coach and the 2012 USA Olympic
Team Head Coach through his affiliations with Defendant USAG and Defendant Twistars.
93. Defendant Twistars’s website states, regarding Defendant Geddert, “Being named Head
Coach for the USA Olympic and World Championships Gold Medal Winning team, paints
94. Defendant USAG received a financial benefit through its relationship with Defendants
95. Defendants Twistars and Geddert received a benefit through its relationship with
Defendant USAG in the form of national and global exposure, fame, and increased
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enrollment.
96. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
97. Plaintiff also incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the various complaints
98. At all relevant times, Defendant Nassar maintained an office at MSU in East Lansing,
Michigan.
99. At all relevant times, Defendants MSU, MSU Trustees, Nassar, Stollak, Strampel, Kovan,
Teachnor-Hauk, Klages, and Lemmen were acting under color of law, to wit, under color
of statutes, ordinances, regulations, policies, customs, and usages of the State of Michigan
100. At all relevant times, including the years 1992 to 2016, Defendant Nassar was acting in the
101. At all relevant times, including the years 1996 to 2015, Defendant Nassar was acting in the
102. At all relevant times, including the years 1992 to 2016, Defendant Nassar was acting in the
103. Defendant Nassar graduated from Michigan State University with a Doctor of Osteopathic
104. Defendant Nassar was employed by and/or an agent of Defendant USAG from
approximately 1986 to 2015, serving in various positions including but not limited to:
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b. Osteopathic Physician;
National Team.
105. Defendant Nassar received a benefit from his relationship with Defendant USAG in the
form of national and global exposure, fame, and increased patients at his office at MSU,
106. Defendant USAG received a benefit from its relationship with Defendant Nassar in the
form of medical services rendered to its member athletes, national and global exposure,
107. Defendant Nassar was employed by Defendant MSU from approximately 1996 to 2016 in
c. Team Physician, Defendant MSU’s Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Teams;
f. Medical Consultant, Defendant MSU’s Wharton Center for the Performing Arts;
108. As part of Defendant Nassar’s employment and contractual duties with MSU, Defendant
Nassar was responsible for spending between 50 to 70% of his time engaged in “Outreach”
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109. A part of Defendant Nassar’s outreach included providing medical treatment to athletes
affiliated with Defendants USAG and Twistars as well as other organizations such as Holt
High School.
110. Based on MSU’s decision to compensate Nassar for his work with USAG and Twistars,
Nassar was acting in the scope of his employment with MSU while he was working at
USAG and Twistars and also while he was working with athletes from those institutions.
111. Defendant Twistars is a gymnastics facility with which Defendant Nassar affiliated from
112. Defendant John Geddert (“Defendant Geddert”), owner and operator of Twistars USA, Inc.
d/b/a Gedderts’ Twistars Gymnastics Club USA served as the USA World and Olympic
114. For a period of time, Defendant Twistars displayed a photo of Defendant Nassar at its
facility.
115. As an agent of Defendant Twistars, Defendant Nassar regularly provided services and
Twistars’ premises.
116. Defendant Nassar received a benefit from his relationship with Defendant Twistars in the
form of national and global exposure, fame, and increased patients at his office at MSU.
117. Defendant Twistars received a benefit from its relationship with Defendant Nassar in the
form of medical services rendered to its member athletes, national and global exposure,
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118. As a physician of Osteopathic Medicine, Defendant Nassar’s medical care and treatment
119. Defendant Nassar is not and has never been a medical doctor of obstetrics or gynecology.
120. While employed by Defendants MSU and USAG, Defendant Nassar practiced medicine at
121. For over 20 years, Defendant MSU’s Sports Medicine Clinic has provided health care to
122. When the MSU Defendants operated the MSU Sports Medicine Clinic and provided
medical services to Plaintiff and others, they were acting as an arm of the state.
123. The MSU Sports Medicine Clinic charged patients, including Plaintiff, for their receipt of
medical services.
124. Charging Plaintiff (and others) and billing insurance companies for medical services is an
125. The MSU Defendants charged fees comparable to specialists for the services provided at
126. The MSU Sports Medicine Clinic engaged in proprietary functions by entering into the
business of providing medical services for the primary purpose of raising funds and making
127. The MSU Sports Medicine Clinic cannot be normally supported by taxes and fees.
9
See “MSU Sports Medicine,” http://sportsmed.msu.edu/, last accessed Feb. 22, 2018.
10
See “MSU Sports Medicine,” http://sportsmed.msu.edu/patients.html, last accessed Feb. 22, 2018.
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128. During his employment, agency, and representation with the MSU Defendants, Defendant
USAG, and Defendant Twistars, Defendant Nassar sexually assaulted, abused, and
including but not limited to digital vaginal and anal penetration and rape.
129. The State of Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Occupational
Health Standards regarding Bloodborne Infectious Diseases mandates use of gloves when
130. Upon information and belief, in or around 1998 a parent of a gymnast at Defendant
131. In 1997 or 1998, Larisa Boyce, who was a minor at the time, told MSU gymnastics head
coach Kathie Klages about concerns the participant had with Nassar’s “treatment.”
Defendant Klages convinced the participant not to file a formal complaint because Klages
intimidated the participant by stating there would be serious consequences to her (the
132. As a result of Klages being informed about Nassar’s conduct, another athlete was asked by
Klages if Nassar had performed the “procedure” involving digital vaginal and anal
penetration on her, and the athlete responded in the affirmative. Klages told the athlete that
133. Also in or around 1998, another athlete complained to a coach at Twistars’s facility
regarding Defendant Nassar’s conduct, yet the concerns and allegations went unaddressed.
11
See, Michigan Administrative Code, R. 325.70001, et seq., available at
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/CIS_WSH_part554_35632_7.pdf. Last accessed, January 5,
2017.
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134. In or around 1999 the MSU Defendants were also put on notice of Defendant Nassar’s
conduct by a MSU student and track and cross-country athlete, Christie Achenbach, after
she complained to MSU employees, including trainers and her head coach, Kelli Bert, that
Defendant Nassar touched her vaginal area although she was seeking treatment for an
injured hamstring.
135. Despite her complaints to MSU representatives, Achenbach’s concerns and allegations
went unaddressed.
136. In approximately 2000, a female student athlete and member of Defendant MSU’s
Women’s Softball Team, Tiffany Thomas Lopez, was sexually assaulted and abused during
137. Ms. Lopez’s allegations regarding the sexual assault include the following statements:
Plaintiff is informed and believes, and on that basis, alleges, that Defendants knew
or should have known that NASSAR had engaged in unlawful sexually-related
conduct in the past, and/or was continuing to engage in such conduct. Defendants
had a duty to disclose these facts to Plaintiff, her parents and others, but negligently
and/or intentionally suppressed, concealed or failed to disclose this information.
The duty to disclose this information arose by the special, trusting, confidential,
fiduciary relationship between Defendants and Plaintiff. Specifically, the
Defendant MSU knew that NASSAR was performing intravaginal adjustments
with his bare, ungloved hand and in isolation with young females, based on the
following:
a. The Plaintiff, approximately 18 years old at the time, had a visit with
NASSAR where he touched her vagina, in order to purportedly heal back
pain, she was having, under the guise of legitimate medical treatment. The
Plaintiff complained to a trainer on her softball team who responded by
saying that NASSAR was a world-renowned doctor, and that it was
legitimate medical treatment. The Plaintiff continued with the purported
treatment;
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c. When the Plaintiff went to see this individual, the Plaintiff was told by that
individual that what happened to the Plaintiff was not sexual abuse, that
NASSAR was a world-renowned doctor, and that the Plaintiff was not to
discuss what happened with NASSAR and was to continue seeing him for
purported treatment. The Plaintiff continued to see NASSAR for treatment;
138. One of the trainers that Ms. Lopez reported to was Lianna Hadden, who is still presently
139. After reporting the assault to Ms. Hadden, Ms. Lopez also reported the assault to Defendant
Teachnor-Hauk.
140. Ms. Lopez told Defendant Teachnor-Hauk that she was “extremely uncomfortable,” but
Defendant Teachnor-Hauk told Ms. Thomas Lopez that Nassar was engaged in actual
medical treatment.
141. Defendant Teachnor-Hauk further dissuaded Ms. Lopez from reporting Nassar’s conduct
further by telling Ms. Lopez that if she pursued the matter further that it would cast a burden
over her family and cause Ms. Lopez a lot of heartache and trauma.
142. Defendant Teachnor-Hauk also defended Nassar by stating to Ms. Lopez by asking why
12
See, Case No. BC644417, filed with the Superior California Court of the State of California,
County of Los Angeles, December 21, 2016, ¶26.
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143. Despite her complaints to MSU employees, agents, and representatives, Ms. Lopez’s
procedures and Title IX and in a manner that was reckless, deliberately indifferent, and
grossly negligent.
144. In approximately 2001 or 2002, Jennifer Rood Bedford, an MSU student athlete on the
women’s volleyball team, was sexually assaulted and abused during “treatment” by
145. According to Ms. Bedford, Nassar was known among the women’s volleyball team as the
“crotch doc” because of his “unconventional methods” of treating sports injuries with
vaginal penetrations.
146. Ms. Bedford was extremely uncomfortable with the fact that she had been assaulted and
147. Ms. Hadden dissuaded Ms. Bedford from filing a formal complaint against Nassar because
it would result in an investigation against Nassar, making an accusation against Nassar and
statement that she felt that what Nassar did was unprofessional or criminally wrong.
148. Upon information and belief, in approximately 2004, Defendant Gary E. Stollak was told
Nassar.
149. Defendant Stollak did not report the abuse to law enforcement or to child protective
services.
13
See Nassar Victim: Jennifer Rood Bedford Statement, Jan. 16, 2018, Available at
https://www.clickondetroit.com/video/nassar-victim-jennifer-rood-bedford-statement. Last
accessed January 16, 2018.
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150. Instead, Defendant Stollak suggested that Ms. Stephens and her parents meet with Nassar.
151. Ms. Stephens refused to attend the meeting, but her parents met with Defendant Stollak
152. Defendant Stollak’s failure to report Defendant Nassar endangered dozens, if not hundreds,
of Plaintiff who were subsequently sexually abused, assaulted, and molested by Defendant
Nassar.
153. Because MSU took no action to investigate the 1997 or 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 or
2002, and 2004 complaints and took no corrective action, from at least 1997 to 2016, under
the guise of treatment, the other Plaintiffs, many of whom were minors, were also sexually
assaulted, abused, and molested by Defendant Nassar by vaginal and anal digital
penetration, without the use of gloves or lubricant and by touching and groping their
breasts.
154. In 2004, Defendant Nassar authored a chapter in Principles of Manual Sports Medicine by
Steven J. Karageanes.
155. In the chapter, Defendant Nassar described the pelvic diaphragm, coccyx, and sacroiliac
ligaments as an area of the body not fully examined due to its proximity to the genitalia
and buttocks, and stated it was “referred to as the ‘no fly zone’ because of the many cultural
156. Defendant Nassar recommended taking “special measures to explain any examination and
techniques applied in this region,” and “warning in advance of what you are planning to
158. As described in detail below, Defendant Nassar often failed to follow his own
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parents; and,
b. He did not warn Plaintiff he was going to engage in vaginal or anal digital
159. Also in 2004, Brianne Randall-Gay reported Defendant Nassar’s conduct to her parents
Defendant MSU’s campus, between 2014 and 2015 the U.S. Department of Education’s
complainant’s allegations, another complaint regarding sexual assault and retaliation from
2011, and Defendant MSU’s response to said complaints, and their general policies,
161. The OCR concluded their investigation in 2015 and presented Defendant MSU with a
twenty-one-page agreement containing measures and requirements to resolve the 2011 and
2014 complaints and to bring Defendant MSU in compliance with Title IX.15
162. While the OCR was conducting their investigation, additional complaints regarding
Defendant Nassar’s conduct surfaced in 2014. Amanda Thomashow reported she had an
appointment with Defendant Nassar to address hip pain and was sexually abused and
14
See, Letter from U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights to Michigan State
University, September 1, 2015, OCR Docket #15-11-2098, #15-14-2113. Available at
https://www2.ed.gov/documents/press-releases/michigan-state-letter.pdf, last accessed January 4,
2017.
15
See, Resolution Agreement, August 28, 2015, OCR Document #15-11-2098, #15-14-2133.
Available at, https://www2.ed.gov/documents/press-releases/michigan-state-agreement.pdf. Last
accessed January 5, 2017.
29
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molested by Defendant Nassar when he cupped her buttocks, massaged her breast and
163. Upon information and belief, Defendant MSU investigated the 2014 complaints through
164. However, Amanda Thomashow reported to Defendant MSU facts which were omitted or
withheld from the investigative report including but not limited to the following:
b. The appointment with Defendant Nassar did not end until Amanda Thomashow
165. Three months after initiating the investigation, in July 2014, Amanda Thomashow’s
complaints were dismissed and Defendant MSU determined she didn’t understand the
“nuanced difference” between sexual assault and an appropriate medical procedure and
nature.”17
166. Two of the medical experts consulted by the Office of Institutional Equity in investigating
167. Following the investigation, on or about July 30, 2014, Defendant Strampel sent an e-mail
to Defendant Nassar that provided new institutional guidelines and restrictions that
a. Defendant Nassar was not to examine or treat patients alone but was to be
accompanied by a chaperone such as a resident or nurse; 18
16
See, At MSU: Assault, harassment and secrecy. Matt Mencarini, December 15, 2016. Available
at, http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2016/12/15/michigan-state-sexual-
assault- harassment-larry-nassar/94993582/. Last accessed January 5, 2017.
17
Id.
18
Id.
30
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b. The alleged “procedure” was to altered to ensure there would be little to no skin to
skin contact when in certain “regions” and if skin to skin contact was “absolutely
necessary” the “procedure” was to be explained in detail with another person in the
room for both the explanation and the “procedure;” and,
c. New people in the practice were to be “oriented” to ensure understanding with the
guidelines.
168. Defendant Strampel sent a copy of the July 30, 2014 e-mail that outlined Defendant
169. At all relevant times, Defendant Dietzel, Defendant Strampel, and Defendant Kovan were
170. The MSU Defendants failed to take any actions to enforce or ensure that Defendant Nassar
was in compliance with the restrictions outlined by Defendant Strampel in his July 30,
171. Upon information and belief, the MSU Defendants failed to take any action to orient new
MSU employees to ensure that they were aware of the restrictions placed on Nassar.
172. In approximately March 2016, Diane Rork was an employee of MSU serving as a
173. Through her employment with MSU, Diane Rork had occasion to work with patients who
174. At no point in time was Diane Rork ever told of any restrictions or guidelines regarding
175. On one occasion in March 2016, Diane Rork was completing a chart of a girl younger than
19
See, Kim Kozlowski, Witness: MSU Knew Nassar Asked Her to Leave Girl’s Exam, Kim
Kozlowski, DETROIT NEWS (Dec. 21, 2017),
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/michigan/2017/12/21/msu-nassar-scandal-witness-
claims-retribution/108800992/
31
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13 who was set to be examined by Defendant Nassar in an exam room at Defendant MSU’s
176. Defendant Nassar ordered Diane Rork to leave the room so that he could “treat” the young
girl alone.
177. Diane Rork reported her March 2016 interaction with Defendant Nassar to the MSU Police
178. MSU terminated Diane Rork’s employment approximately two weeks later.
179. In addition, an unnamed registered nurse employed by MSU at the MSU Sports Medicine
from approximately 2015 to 2016, has indicated that she was never made aware of any
180. This unnamed registered nurse was the only registered nurse employed by Defendant
181. From July 2014 to September 2016, despite complaints about Defendant Nassar’s conduct
and an open criminal investigation into Defendant Nassar’s conduct, Defendant MSU
adequate oversight or supervision to ensure he was complying with the new guidelines.
182. In a March 14, 2017 interview with Michigan State University Police Department
institutional restrictions and guidelines that Defendant Nassar was subject to were illusory
in nature because he only shared them with Defendant Dietzel and took no action
whatsoever to ensure that the institutional restrictions and guidelines were implemented,
followed, or enforced.
183. Defendant Strampel also told Detective Sergeant Rozman that he did not want any other
32
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employees in the Sports Medicine Clinic to know that Defendant Nassar had been accused
184. Defendant Strampel also admitted to Detective Sergeant Rozman that he did not take any
steps to orient any new employees at Defendant MSU’s Sports Medicine Clinic to the
185. In a March 15, 2017 interview with Michigan State University Police Department
Agent Rodney Charles, Defendant Teachnor-Hauk stated that she had never had an athlete
tell her that Defendant Nassar had made them uncomfortable or that Defendant Nassar had
186. Defendant Teachnor-Hauk’s March 15, 2017 statements to law enforcement were false for
the reason that numerous athletes had previously reported concerns of uncomfortable and
187. Plaintiff was made aware of Defendant Nassar’s widespread sexual abuse on or around
188. Others have been made aware of the allegations of Defendant Nassar’s conduct more
189. Defendant Nassar’s employment ended with Defendant MSU on approximately September
20, 2016 only after the MSU Defendants became aware that:
20
Id.
33
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a. Defendants Nassar and USAG were sued by a former Olympian who alleged she
was sexually assaulted by Defendant Nassar;21 and,
ii. Penetrating her vagina and anus with his finger and thumb; and,
190. Reasons given to Defendant Nassar for his termination included but were not limited to:
a. Deviation from “required best practices put in place following the internal sexual
harassment investigation conducted … in 2014;”
191. Shortly after MSU terminated Defendant Nassar’s employment, Defendant Klages
requested the MSU Women’s Gymnastics Team members to sign a card for the team to
show their support for Defendant Nassar—despite the fact that Defendant Klages was
aware that Defendant Nassar’s employment had been terminated due to numerous claims
21
See, Case No. 34-2016-00200075, filed with the Superior Court of the State of California,
County of Sacramento, September 8, 2016. A copy of the Complaint is available at
https://www.documentcloud.org/ documents/3106054-JANE-JD-COMPLAINT-Signed.html.
Last accessed January 5, 2017.
22
See, Former USA Gymnastics doctor accused of abuse, Mark Alesia, Marisa Kwiatkowski, Tim
Evans, September 12, 2016. Available at, http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/09/12/
former-usa-gymnastics-doctor-accused-abuse/89995734/. Last accessed January 5, 2017.
23
See, MSU Abuse Scandal: Coach Had Gymnasts Sign Card for Dr. Larry Nassar, Stephanie
Gosk, Kristen Powers, and Tracy Connor, March 21, 2017. Available at,
34
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192. Defendant Klages also passionately defended Defendant Nassar to the MSU Women’s
Gymnastics Team and told her athletes that she would trust her own grandkids with him—
despite the numerous allegations of sexual assault against Defendant Nassar and the
instructed members of the MSU Women’s Gymnastics Team not to speak to the media or
194. Based on the communications of the MSU Athletic Department, members of the MSU
Women’s Gymnastics Team believed that they would be punished by MSU or face
negative consequences if they came forward to the police or media to describe sexual
195. In December 2016, following the filing of federal child pornography charges against
Defendant Nassar, Defendant Klages continued to defend Defendant Nassar and told the
parent of one of Defendant Nassar’s victims that the child pornography “could have been
planted” by somebody suing Defendant Nassar and also continued to deny that Defendant
Nassar had sexually assaulted any patients by suggesting that the victims had
196. MSU did not directly encourage the members of the MSU Women’s Gymnastics Team to
report suspected abuse by Defendant Nassar to the police until February 2017—
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/msu-abuse-scandal-coach-had-gymnasts-sign-card-dr-
larry-n731781. Last accessed December 27, 2017.
35
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198. At no time did Defendant USAG inform Defendants MSU, MSU Trustees, or other MSU
representatives of the concerns that led to Defendant Nassar being relieved from his duties
199. At no time did Defendant USAG inform Defendants Twistars or Geddert of the concerns
that led to Defendant Nassar being relieved from his duties with Defendant USAG—
despite the fact that Defendant Twistars is a USAG member club and Defendant Geddert
200. In approximately December 2016, Defendant USAG settled one or more claims against it
California.
201. Upon information and belief, USAG entered into one or more confidential settlement
agreements in California involving claims of child sex abuse or other acts that could be
202. Notably, California law prohibits confidential settlements in cases involving allegations of
child sexual abuse or an act that could be prosecuted as a felony sex offense. CAL. CIV.
203. Upon information and belief, USAG’s settlement agreement with McKayla Maroney is not
the first or the only settlement agreement that USAG has entered into to resolve civil claims
24
See, Former USA Gymnastics doctor accused of abuse, Mark Alesia, Marisa Kwiatkowski, Tim
Evans, September 12, 2016. Available at, http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/09/12/
former-usa-gymnastics-doctor-accused-abuse/89995734/. Last accessed January 5, 2017.
36
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204. In late November 2016, Defendant Nassar was arrested and charged in Ingham County,
Michigan on three charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13,
205. In mid-December 2016, Defendant Nassar was indicted, arrested, and charged in Federal
207. Testimony given by an FBI agent at a hearing held on December 21, 2016, alleged, among
other allegations, that Defendant Nassar used a GoPro camera to record video images of
a. Defendant Nassar’s hand can be seen grabbing one girl’s hand and shoving it into
the vaginal area of another girl; and,27
b. Defendant Nassar’s thumb can be seen pressing into a child’s vagina/vaginal area.28
208. In mid-January 2017, Defendant Brooke Lemmen, D.O. submitted a letter of resignation
25
State of Michigan, Ingham County Circuit Court Case No. 17-143-FC.
26
1:16-cr-00242 PageID.1-4.
27
Id. at PageID.49-50.
28
Id. at PageID.50.
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b. Did not disclose to Defendant MSU that Defendant USAG was investigating
Defendant Nassar as of July 2015; and,
and Concealment of Records and Tangible Objects” alleging between September 19, 2016
and September 20, 2016, Defendant Nassar “caused a third-party vendor to permanently
delete and destroy all images, records, documents, and files contained on the hard drive of
a laptop computer, and the defendant threw in the trash a number of external hard drives.”29
210. On February 17, 2017, following a preliminary examination, Defendant Nassar was
ordered to stand trial on three charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person
under 13 in Ingham County, Michigan following testimony which included, among others,
211. On February 22, 2017, Defendant Nassar was arraigned on 22 counts of first-degree
criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13 years old, and 14 counts of third-degree
criminal sexual conduct with a person under the age of 13 years old in Ingham County,
212. Defendant Nassar’s preliminary examinations on the second set of charges in Ingham
County was held on May 12, 2017, May 26, 2017, and June 23, 2017.
213. During Nassar’s preliminary examination on May 12, 2017 in the 55th District Court in
29
Id. at PageID.88.
30
State v. Nassar, Ingham County District Court Case No. 17-00425, see also,
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/ag/Nassar_affidavit_Ingham_County_charges_Feb._2017_
552531_7.pdf
31
State v. Nassar, Eaton County District Court Case No. 17-0318, see also,
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/ag/Nassar_affidavit_Eaton_County_charges_Feb._2017_5
52536_7.pdf
38
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Ingham County, Michigan, a young woman testified regarding an instance of sexual assault
she was fifteen years old as follows, “Mostly all I remember is [Nassar] doing the treatment
on me with his fingers in my vagina, massaging my back with a towel over my butt, and
John [Geddert] walking in and making a joke that I guess my back really did hurt, and then
214. At the conclusion of the preliminary examination, Defendant Nassar was ordered to stand
Denhollander and others, which included, among others, allegations of digital vaginal and
215. Defendant Nassar’s preliminary examination on the charges issued in Eaton County,
216. At the conclusion of the preliminary examination, Defendant Nassar was ordered to stand
217. As of the filing of this Second Amended Complaint, Nassar faced a total of 22 counts of
first-degree criminal sexual conduct in circuit court—15 in Ingham County, Michigan and
218. On or about July 11, 2017, Defendant Nassar pled guilty in his federal criminal case to: (1)
2252A(a)(5)(B); and (3) Destruction and Concealment of Records and Tangible Objects,
39
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219. On November 11, 2017 Defendant Nassar pleaded guilty to seven counts of first-degree
220. On November 29, 2017 Defendant Nassar pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree
221. On December 7, 2017 Defendant Nassar was sentenced in the United States District Court
for the Western District of Michigan by District Court Judge Janet T. Neff to three twenty-
year sentences to be served consecutively on his convictions for (1) Receipt and Attempted
222. Defendant Nassar’s sentencing hearing on his convictions for seven counts of first-degree
criminal sexual conduct in Ingham County Circuit Court took place from January 16, 2018
223. Defendant Nassar’s sentencing on his convictions for three counts of first-degree criminal
sexual conduct in Eaton County Circuit Court took place from January 31, 2018 to
February 5, 2018.
224. Between the sentencing hearings in Ingham and Eaton Counties, approximately 204 victim
225. The Plaintiff in this action gave impact statements, and Plaintiffs who were initially seeking
sentencing hearings.
226. On January 24, 2018, Defendant Nassar was sentenced in Ingham County Circuit Court to
40
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227. On February 5, 2018, Defendant Nassar was sentenced in Eaton County Circuit Court to
b. Mr. Hollis resigned as Athletic Director of Defendant MSU on January 26, 2018;
c. By January 31, 2018, the entire board of directors of Defendant USAG resigned
d. Steps to revoke Defendant Strampel’s tenure and terminate his employment with
MSU stating publicly, “. . . Strampel did not act with the level of professionalism
position that involves student and patient safety . . . . Further allegations have arisen
that question whether his personal conduct over a long period of time met MSU’s
standards.”32
A. ERIKA DAVIS
229. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
230. In 1992 Plaintiff Erika Davis was a vibrant 17-year-old elite field hockey player who had
32
See, Engler Takes First step to Remove Strampel, February 8, 2018, available at
http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2018/engler-takes-first-step-to-remove-strampel/. Last accessed
Feb. 17, 2018.
41
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231. Plaintiff Erika was injured in 1992 during her spring quarter practice when she planted too
hard on the turf and twisted her knee. Her knee began popping a lot and caused her a lot of
233. Plaintiff Erika’s field hockey Coach, Martha Ludwig, recommended she make an
appointment with Defendant Nassar for her knee pain. Plaintiff Erika’s Coach knew
Defendant Nassar through a mutual friend and also told Plaintiff Erika that Defendant
234. On her coach’s recommendation, and on the reputation of Defendant Nassar, Plaintiff Erika
235. Defendant Nassar was a renowned orthopedic sports medicine physician, well respected in
the gymnastics community and the team doctor of the United States Gymnastics team.
236. Defendant Nassar was promoted as the team doctor and received patients because of his
237. Plaintiff Erika had no reason to suspect Defendant Nassar was anything but a competent,
respectable physician.
238. Plaintiff Erika saw Defendant Nassar for the first time, on or about, early 1992.
239. Beginning with Plaintiff Erika’s first visit Defendant Nassar began to “groom” Plaintiff
Erika.
240. Defendant Nassar diagnosed Plaintiff Erika’s knee pain and agreed to treat her.
241. Defendant Nassar did not discuss what his “treatments” would be with Plaintiff Erika.
42
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242. During the course of Defendant Nassar’s first meeting with Plaintiff Erika he asked her a
variety of questions including, but not limited to, whether her father was around, whether
she had ever done gymnastics, and whether she had ever had a vaginal exam.
243. Defendant Nassar asked Plaintiff Erika about her future career aspirations, and she
responded that she wanted to be a doctor to cure cancer, after her mother had recently
244. Defendant Nassar told Plaintiff Erika that he was doing a flexibility study through the
College of Osteopathic Medicine. He had a cameraman at the meeting. Plaintiff Erika asked
how many people were in the study and Defendant Nassar told her that she would be the
third participant in the study. However, to consent she had to be 18 years old or older. Since
she was only 17, Defendant Nassar indicated her Coach could consent for her.
245. Defendant Nassar further inquired whether Plaintiff Erika had ever had a breast
examination, and she had not. Defendant Nassar asked her to remove her shirt and bra,
which she did. Defendant Nassar then told her that she had prepubescent breasts, but that
he thought he could get the nipples hard. He then used his hands and then his mouth to do
so. During this time, the cameraman was filming Defendant Nassar’s sexual abuse of
Plaintiff Erika. Defendant Nassar then asked the cameraman to step outside for a
discussion.
246. When he returned, Defendant Nassar then asked Plaintiff Erika to come back for a full
247. At this appointment, Defendant Nassar crushed up a pill and made Plaintiff Erika drink it.
He would not tell her what he was giving her, but she was told and trusted that it was part
43
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249. However, soon thereafter, Plaintiff Erika got so tired and could not move her arms.
Eventually, she could not keep her eyelids open and got very woozy.
250. When she was less woozy a short time later, Plaintiff Erika witnessed Defendant Nassar
raping her.
252. She was still unable to move and looked at the clock, realizing that she had been knocked
out for more than an hour. Plaintiff Erika, still in a daze, felt Defendant Nassar speed up
253. Defendant Nassar then got dressed, put his penis away and told her that he would see her
254. Plaintiff Erika had a difficult time getting up and leaving the office, but when she did, she
255. For the rest of the day, Plaintiff Erika had Defendant Nassar’s semen dripping from her
vagina into her underwear. She repeatedly went to the bathroom to clean it up.
256. Plaintiff Erika went to dinner with two of her friends. She eventually told these friends
what happened to her, and they agreed to go to with her to the police when she was ready
to do so.
257. Plaintiff Erika told her coach what happened, and her coach confronted Defendant Nassar
in May of 1992.
258. The coach went to Defendant Nassar’s office, demanded and received the video of Plaintiff
44
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259. The coach then complained about what Defendant Nassar did to Plaintiff Erika to the
260. George Perles, former Athletic Director at Defendant Michigan State University intervened
and the charges were dropped against the coach, but she was forced to return the video,
resign and sign a non-disclosure agreement. Upon information and belief, Coach Martha
261. This proves that not only did Defendant Michigan State University have knowledge that
Defendant Nassar sexually abused and sexually assaulted minors, but that it would also go
262. Defendant Michigan State University could have stopped Defendant Nassar’s conduct back
263. Defendant Michigan State University could have prevented hundreds of young girls and
women from being sexually assaulted by Defendant Nassar had they only acted
264. Later in the Summer, Plaintiff Erika had not menstruated and informed her “dorm mom”
Cheryl. They took a pregnancy test and Plaintiff Erika’s came back positive. The only
person who could have caused her to be pregnant was Defendant Nassar. Cheryl told
Plaintiff Erika that she had been raped and should report what happened to the police.
265. A few weeks later, Plaintiff Erika had tremendous abdominal, pelvic and back pain, and
266. Thereafter, Plaintiff Erika was ready to go to the police and she did so with her two friends,
45
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267. In October of 1992, Plaintiff Erika and her friends went to the Michigan State University
police department and reported the rape. The police told them that since she was an athlete,
she had to report it to the athletic department. The detective explicitly told them that he
was powerless to investigate anything that takes place to the athletic department and to go
268. Plaintiff Erika explained that the athletic department already dismissed it and the Sergeant
responded that George Perles is a “powerful man,” and she should just drop it.
269. Plaintiff Erika’s friends complained that this was “wrong” and “had to be illegal.” The
Sergeant told them that his hands were tied and to leave the station.
270. Thereafter, Plaintiff Erika’s Field Hockey NCAA scholarship was taken away from her.
271. Plaintiff Erika was young, impressionable and sexually inexperienced. She had never been
273. Under the guise of “treatment” Defendant Nassar subjected Plaintiff Erika to inappropriate,
274. Defendant Nassar used his position of authority as a medical professional to abuse Plaintiff
Erika.
275. Defendant Nassar would always see Plaintiff Erika alone or with a cameraman.
276. Defendant Nassar told Plaintiff Erika that it was necessary to examine her breasts and
278. Nonetheless, Defendant Nassar molested, fondled, assaulted, and raped Plaintiff Erika.
46
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279. Defendant Nassar repeatedly told Plaintiff Erika his “treatments” were medically
recognized.
280. Defendant Nassar routinely claimed he was releasing tension and relaxing muscles.
281. Defendant Nassar would perform his “treatments” for the entire length of the appointment,
282. Defendant Nassar would often refer to the inappropriate, nonconsensual sexual touching
as a “full treatment.”
283. Plaintiff Erika discontinued treating with Defendant Nassar after this incident.
284. Plaintiff Erika did not suspect any sexual assault had occurred and she was told that nothing
285. Defendant Nassar was a well-respected physician, he repeatedly told Plaintiff Erika he was
performing a recognized treatment for knee pain. Defendant Nassar never discussed the
treatment with Plaintiff Erika and he took careful steps to ensure he was always alone with
Plaintiff Erika.
287. As a sexually inexperienced teenager Plaintiff Erika had no reason and no way to know
288. Plaintiff Erika was pressured by her coach and the athletic department to not report this
incident and was told if she reported it that she would lose her field hockey scholarship.
289. Plaintiff Erika could not have known Defendant Nassar was a serial pedophile who
290. Plaintiff Erika subconsciously carried the effects of Defendant Nassar’s abuse throughout
47
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291. Plaintiff Erika began to realize what had been done to her when other victims began to
come forward and when she saw a video of her being examined by Defendant Nassar on
the news. Plaintiff Erika repressed these memories until February of 2018.
292. Plaintiff Erika faced the realization Defendant Nassar had never been performing medical
293. The veil of fraud and intentional concealment finally lifted and Plaintiff Erika understood
294. Plaintiff Erika was forced to relive the trauma of sexual assault as she came to grips with
295. Plaintiff Erika has never been able to live a healthy normal life because of the years of
sexual abuse Plaintiff Erika suffered at the hands of Defendant Nassar. Subconsciously
296. Plaintiff Erika suffers from anxiety, depression and a host of other issues, including a
297. Plaintiff Erika must face daily pain and suffering as she goes through the process of
documenting all the actions of Defendant Nassar. Furthermore, Plaintiff Erika was
triggered when Channel 7 News covered the story and showed the training video with her
in it.
298. Defendant Nassar and the MSU Defendants profited from the training video which featured
Plaintiff Erika.
299. Plaintiff Erika was deprived of a normal childhood and is now being deprived of a normal
48
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300. Plaintiff Erika avoided gynecological exams due to the trauma caused by Defendant
Nassar. When Plaintiff Erika was finally persuaded to have a gynecological examination,
she was told that she had been infected by the HPV virus which caused Plaintiff Erika’s
cervical cancer.
301. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
302. Plaintiff sought treatment at Defendant MSU’s Sports Medicine Clinic and/or the Athletic
303. Given the special relationship, the MSU defendants had a duty to disclose and to warn and
protect the athletes and patients who sought treatment at its facility with its doctor.
304. Plaintiff hereby alleges that the MSU Defendants committed Fraudulent Concealment by
committing Fraud, as described in detail above and below, and concealing the existence of
Plaintiff’s claims and that Plaintiff had a cause of action against Defendant Nassar and/or
the MSU Defendants at the time Defendant Nassar’s sexual assaults occurred by making
305. Defendant MSU’s sports medicine trainers, employees, staff, managers, supervisors,
a. Defendant Nassar was an “Olympic doctor” and “knew what he was doing” in
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b. Defendant Nassar was a “world-renowned doctor” and that “it was legitimate
“treatments;”
and “[n]ot of a sexual nature” because the complainant “didn’t understand the
procedure.”
306. The material representation(s) to Plaintiff were false in that the MSU Defendant had
previously received strikingly similar complaints of abuse by Defendant Nassar from other
students and patients and knew that the appropriateness of his “treatments” had been
307. When the MSU Defendants made the material misrepresentation(s) to Plaintiff, they knew
that they were false and/or they made them recklessly, without any knowledge of their truth
and as a positive assertion, because they knew that Defendant MSU had previously
received strikingly similar complaints of abuse by Defendant Nassar from other students
and patients and knew that the appropriateness of his “treatments” had been questioned in
the past.
308. Defendants made the material representation(s) with the intent that the material
representation(s) should be acted or relied upon by Plaintiff or her parents, such that
Plaintiff:
a. Should believe that the “treatments” were in fact legitimate medical “treatments;”
b. Should believe that the “treatments” were proper, appropriate, and legitimate;
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d. Should not believe that they had been sexually assaulted so that he could prevent
discovery of his sexual assaults;
e. Should continue the “treatments” so that he could continue to sexually assault them;
f. Should not question and/or report the conduct to appropriate authorities; and
g. Should not reasonably believe and not be aware of a possible cause of action that
they have against Defendant Nassar and/or Defendant MSU.
309. Plaintiff acted in reliance upon the material representation(s), in that Plaintiff:
b. Reasonably believed that the “treatments” were proper, appropriate, and legitimate;
c. Reasonably did not believe that they had been sexually assaulted;
e. Did not believe that they should question and/or report the conduct to appropriate
authorities; and,
f. Did not reasonably believe that they had and were not aware of a possible cause of
action that they had against Defendant Nassar and/or the MSU Defendants.
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311. The MSU Defendants concealed the fraud by failing to disclose, warn, or protect, or by
planned to prevent inquiry and escape investigation and prevent subsequent discovery of
a. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct were a “new
procedure” which involved vaginal or anal penetration;
c. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was “checking your
sternum;”
d. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was doing a “breast
exam;”
e. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was medical
“treatment” for a legitimate medical purpose and that it was the same that he
performed on Olympic athletes;
f. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was “attempting to
manipulate [their] ribs;” and,
g. Making the statement that the position of his hand was in an appropriate place—
when it was not—while he was digitally penetrating Plaintiff, all of which were
made contemporaneously and/or shortly after the abrupt, sudden, quick, and
unexpected sexual assaults by Defendant Nassar.
312. Defendants’ agents and employees concealed the fraud by affirmative act(s) that was/were
designed and/or planned to prevent inquiry and escape investigation and prevent
a. Ignored, refused, and failed to inquire, question, and investigate the complaints and
take action regarding Defendant Nassar’s “treatments;”
b. Did not create a policy to require adults, parents, chaperones, guardians, and/or
caregivers presence during an examination of a minor or female patient by a
physician; and
52
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c. Did not enforce the restrictions that had been put into place in 2014 by Defendant
MSU restricting Defendant Nassar’s examination and treatment of patients.
313. Plaintiff did not know, could not have reasonably known, and were reasonably unaware of
a possible cause of action that they had against Defendant Nassar and/or Defendant MSU
until the September 12, 2016 publication of a story regarding a complaint filed with
Defendant MSU’s Police Department, titled “Former USA Gymnastics doctor accused of
b. Plaintiff was a minor and/or young female at the time of the assaults and
“treatments;”
c. Plaintiff did not know what a legitimate and appropriately performed intra-vaginal
or intra-anal/rectal treatment was like because she had never experienced and/or
had an intra-vaginal or intra-anal/rectal treatment before;
e. Plaintiff did not know what a legitimate and appropriately performed pelvic,
vaginal, anal, and/or breast exam was like because she had never experienced
and/or had a pelvic, vaginal, anal, and/or breast exam before;
f. Plaintiff had never experienced and/or had a pelvic and/or vaginal exam before
because pelvic and/or vaginal exams are not recommended and routinely performed
until a female reaches at least the age of 18 years old, pursuant to longstanding
recommendations in the literature, expert opinions, treatment guidelines, and
position statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy
of Family Physicians, American Cancer Society, American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Society for Clinical Pathology, and
American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology;
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g. Plaintiff had never experienced and/or had a breast exam before because breast
exams are not recommended and routinely performed until a female reaches at least
the age of 21 years old, pursuant to longstanding recommendations in the literature,
expert opinions, treatment guidelines, and position statement from the American
Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American
Cancer Society, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American
Society for Clinical Pathology;
h. Because of these recommendations and never having had one of these treatments
or exams, it was very difficult if not impossible for Plaintiff to differentiate a
legitimate and appropriately performed intra-vaginal treatment, pelvic, vaginal,
anal, and/or breast exam from a sexual assault;
i. Plaintiff could not have possibly known because there were no parents, chaperones,
guardians, caregivers, and/or other medical professionals in the room during the
“treatments” to observe, question, and/or discover that his “treatments” were sexual
assaults and inform Plaintiff that they had been sexually assaulted and had a cause
of action against Defendant Nassar;
j. In the instances where a parent was present in the room, Defendant Nassar’s actions
to conceal the physical assaults from the view of the parents prevented the parents
from discovering that his “treatments” were sexual assaults and informing Plaintiff
that they had been sexually assaulted and had a cause of action against Defendant
Nassar;
k. Based on Neuroscience, the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which we use to make
decisions and distinguish right from wrong, is not fully formed until around the age
of 23;
l. Based on Neuroscience, as the prefrontal cortex of the brain matures teenagers are
able to make better judgments;
o. Plaintiff trusted Defendant Nassar because he groomed them to believe that his
“treatments” were legitimate;
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p. Plaintiff trusted and felt that Defendant Nassar was a friend because at
appointments he gave Plaintiff gifts such as t-shirts, pins, flags, leotards, and other
items, some with USAG logos and others without, in order to gain their trust;
q. Plaintiff had no reason to believe or be aware that she could possibly sue or had a
possible cause of action because she was a minor and young female who was not
knowledgeable or aware of the civil justice system;
r. Plaintiff had no reason to believe or be aware that she could possibly sue or had a
possible cause of action because she was a minor and young female who was not
knowledgeable or aware of any remedy at law;
s. Plaintiff had no reason to believe or be aware that she could possibly sue or had a
possible cause of action evidenced by the fact that so many other girls had been
sexually assaulted by Defendant Nassar over the past few decades, none of them
had a reason to believe or be aware that they could possibly sue or had a possible
cause of action in the past; and none of them have ever sued him in the past;
t. Plaintiff was never told by Defendant Nassar that his conduct was sexual in nature
and not legitimate and appropriate “treatment[s]” and to conceal the sexual conduct
from their parents and others, unlike other victims of sexual abuse who are typically
told by their perpetrators that their conduct is of a sexual nature and to conceal the
sexual conduct from their parents and others;
v. Plaintiff was a minor and young athlete; therefore, she was easily suggestible;
w. Plaintiff had never previously heard about any allegations in the media regarding
sexual assaults or misconduct by Defendant Nassar;
x. Plaintiff reasonably and justifiably relied on the Fraud committed by the MSU
Defendants by their material misrepresentations and concealment of the true nature
of Defendant Nassar’s “treatments” and his actions;
y. Plaintiff trusted that the MSU Defendants would protect Plaintiff from harm and
not hire, employ, and/or retain a physician that had, was, or would perform
illegitimate and/or inappropriate “treatments,” engage in inappropriate conduct,
and/or sexually assault patients, students, or athletes;
55
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z. Plaintiff was never told by the MSU Defendants that Defendant Nassar’s conduct
and “treatments” were inappropriate and sexual assault—to the contrary Plaintiff
was told that Defendant Nassar’s conduct and “treatments” were appropriate and
legitimate treatments, “not sexual abuse,” “medically appropriate,” and “not of a
sexual nature” from a “world-renowned” and “Olympic doctor,” who “knew what
he was doing” and that Plaintiff, because of their age and inexperience with intra-
vaginal treatment, pelvic, vaginal, anal, and/or breast exams, “didn’t understand the
‘nuanced difference’ between sexual assault and an appropriate medical
procedure;”
aa. Plaintiff reasonably and justifiably relied on the MSU Defendants to protect them;
and
bb. Plaintiff was compelled by the MSU Defendants to undergo “treatments” like other
athletes if they wanted to continue participating and competing in their relevant
sport and therefore the “treatments” were legitimate and appropriate.
314. Back in 1992, Plaintiff was told that there was nothing that she could do about the sexual
315. Plaintiff repressed these memories as best as she could, but then saw herself on television
as one of the girls in Defendant Nassar’s training videos. This caused her to recall what he
did to her.
316. The actions and inactions of the MSU Defendants and Defendant Nassar, as described in
317. At all times pertinent to this action, Defendant Nassar was an agent, apparent agent,
servant, and employee of Defendant MSU and operated within the scope of his
318. The actions and inactions of the sports medicine trainers, employees, staff, managers,
supervisors, directors, and the MSU Defendants, as described in the preceding paragraphs
56
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319. At all times material hereto, Plaintiff was entirely free of any negligence contributing to
320. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
321. Plaintiff sought and received medical treatment from Defendant USAG and was in a special
relationship with Defendant USAG due to its provision of medical treatment to its athletes.
322. Given the special relationship, Defendant USAG had a duty to disclose and to warn and
protect the athletes and patients who sought treatment at its sanctioned events and member
323. Plaintiff incorporates by reference the Fraud claims made below and hereby alleges that
in detail above and below, and concealing the existence of Plaintiff’s claims and that
Plaintiff had a cause of action against Defendant Nassar and/or Defendant USAG at the
time his sexual assaults occurred by Defendant Nassar making a material representation(s)
a. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct were a “new
procedure” which involved vaginal penetration;
c. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was “checking your
sternum;”
d. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was doing a “breast
exam;”
57
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e. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was medical
“treatment” for a legitimate medical purpose and that it was the same that he
performed on Olympic athletes;
f. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was “attempting to
manipulate [their] ribs;” and,
324. The material representation(s) to Plaintiff by Defendant Nassar were false, in that he was
actually performing them for his own sexual gratification and pleasure evidenced by his
observed arousal, flushed face, and closing of the eyes during the conduct.
325. When Defendant Nassar made the material representation(s), he knew that they were false,
in that he knew that the “treatment[s]” were not proper, appropriate, legitimate, and/or
considered within standard of care by any physician of any specialty and/or sports therapist.
326. Defendant Nassar made the material representation(s) with the intent that the material
b. Should believe that the “treatment[s]” were proper, appropriate, and legitimate;
c. Should not believe that they had been sexually assaulted; should not believe that
they had been sexually assaulted so that he could prevent discovery of his sexual
assaults;
e. Should not question and/or report the conduct to appropriate authorities; and,
58
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f. Should not reasonably believe and not be aware of a possible cause of action that
they have against Defendant Nassar and/or Defendant USAG.
327. Plaintiff acted in reliance upon Defendant Nassar’s material representation(s), in that
Plaintiff:
b. Reasonably believed that the “treatments” were proper, appropriate, and legitimate;
c. Reasonably did not believe that she had been sexually assaulted;
e. Did not believe that she should question and/or report the conduct to appropriate
authorities; and did not reasonably believe that she had and was not aware of a
possible cause of action that she had against Defendant Nassar and/or Defendant
USAG.
329. Defendant Nassar concealed the fraud by making a fraudulent material representation(s) to
Plaintiff that was/were designed and/or planned to prevent inquiry and escape investigation
and prevent subsequent discovery of his fraud, in that he made a material representation(s)
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a. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct were a “new
procedure” which involved vaginal penetration;
c. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was “checking your
sternum;”
d. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was doing a “breast
exam;”
e. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was “treatment” and
that it was the same that he performed on Olympic athletes;
f. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was “attempting to
manipulate [their] ribs;” and,
330. Defendant Nassar concealed the fraud by an affirmative act(s) that was/were designed
and/or planned to prevent inquiry and escape investigation and prevent subsequent
d. Did not abide by or follow the standard and care which requires another medical
professional, chaperone, parent, guardian, and/or caregiver be in the room during
the examination and treatment of minors and female patients;
60
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e. Did not abide by or follow Defendant USAG’s Code of Ethics, Participant Welfare
Policy, Safety/Risk Management Certification, principles in Gymnastics Risk
Management Safety Course Handbook, and Prohibited Conduct policy, which he
was a part of creating by not examining patients in the presence of a parent,
chaperone, guardian, and/or caregiver; and,
f. Gave Plaintiff, at appointments, gifts such as t-shirts, pins, flags, leotards, and other
items, some with USAG logos and others without, in order to gain their trust.
331. The actions and inactions of Defendant Nassar, as described in the preceding paragraphs,
332. At all times pertinent to this action, Defendant Nassar was an agent, apparent agent,
servant, and employee of Defendant USAG and operated within the scope of his
333. At all times material hereto, Plaintiff was entirely free of any negligence contributing to
334. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
335. Plaintiff sought and received medical treatment from Defendants Twistars and Geddert and
were in a special relationship with Defendants Twistars and Geddert due to their provision
336. Given the special relationship, Defendants Twistars and Geddert had a duty to disclose and
to warn and protect the athletes and patients who sought treatment at its sanctioned events
337. Plaintiff incorporates by reference the Fraud claims made below and hereby alleges that
committing Fraud, as described in detail above and below, and concealing the existence of
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Plaintiff’s claims and that Plaintiff had a cause of action against Defendant Nassar and/or
Defendant Twistars and Defendant John Geddert at the time his sexual assaults occurred
a. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct were a “new
procedure” which involved vaginal penetration;
c. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was “checking your
sternum;”
d. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was doing a “breast
exam;”
e. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was medical
“treatment” for a legitimate medical purpose and that it was the same that he
performed on Olympic athletes;
f. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was “attempting to
manipulate [their] ribs;” and,
338. The material representation(s) to Plaintiff by Defendant Nassar were false, in that he was
actually performing them for his own sexual gratification and pleasure evidenced by his
observed arousal, flushed face, and closing of the eyes during the conduct.
339. When Defendant Nassar made the material representation(s), he knew that they were false,
in that he knew that the “treatment[s]” were not proper, appropriate, legitimate, and/or
considered within standard of care by any physician of any specialty and/or sports therapist.
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340. Defendant Nassar made the material representation(s) with the intent that the material
b. Should believe that the “treatment[s]” were proper, appropriate, and legitimate;
c. Should not believe that she had been sexually assaulted; should not believe that she
had been sexually assaulted so that he could prevent discovery of his sexual
assaults;
e. Should not question and/or report the conduct to appropriate authorities; and,
f. Should not reasonably believe and not be aware of a possible cause of action that
she had against Defendant Nassar and/or Defendant Twistars or Defendant
Geddert.
341. Plaintiff acted in reliance upon Defendant Nassar’s material representation(s), in that
Plaintiff:
b. Reasonably believed that the “treatments” were proper, appropriate, and legitimate;
c. Reasonably did not believe that she had been sexually assaulted;
e. Did not believe that she should question and/or report the conduct to appropriate
authorities; and did not reasonably believe that she had and was not aware of a
possible cause of action that she had against Defendant Nassar and/or Defendant
Twistars or Defendant Geddert.
63
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343. Defendant Nassar concealed the fraud by making a fraudulent material representation(s) to
Plaintiff that was/were designed and/or planned to prevent inquiry and escape investigation
and prevent subsequent discovery of his fraud, in that he made a material representation(s)
a. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct were a “new
procedure” which involved vaginal penetration;
c. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was “checking your
sternum;”
d. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was doing a “breast
exam;”
e. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was medical
“treatment” for a legitimate medical purpose and that it was the same that he
performed on Olympic athletes;
f. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was “attempting to
manipulate [her] ribs;” and,
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344. Defendant Nassar concealing the fraud by an affirmative act(s) that was/were designed
and/or planned to prevent inquiry and escape investigation and prevent subsequent
d. Did not abide by or follow the standard and care which requires another medical
professional, chaperone, parent, guardian, and/or caregiver be in the room during
the examination and treatment of minors and female patients;
e. Did not abide by or follow Defendant USAG’s Code of Ethics, Participant Welfare
Policy, Safety/Risk Management Certification, principles in Gymnastics Risk
Management Safety Course Handbook, and Prohibited Conduct policy, or any
similar policies established by Defendant Twistars or Defendant Geddert, by not
examining patients in the presence of a parent, chaperone, guardian, and/or
caregiver; and,
f. Gave Plaintiff, at appointments, gifts such as t-shirts, pins, flags, leotards, and other
items, some with USAG logos and others without, in order to gain their trust.
345. The actions and inactions of Defendant Nassar, as described in the preceding paragraphs,
346. At all times pertinent to this action, Defendant Nassar was an agent, apparent agent,
servant, and employee of Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert and operated within
the scope of his employment and his Fraudulent Concealment is imputed to Defendant
347. At all times material hereto, Plaintiff was entirely free of any negligence contributing to
65
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E. DEFENDANT NASSAR
348. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
349. Plaintiff had a special relationship with Defendant Nassar given their physician-patient
relationship.
350. Given the special relationship, Defendant Nassar had an affirmative duty to disclose and
to warn and protect athletes and patients who sought his medical treatment from sexual
351. Plaintiff hereby alleges that Defendant Nassar committed Fraudulent Concealment by
committing Fraud, as described in detail above and below, and concealing the existence of
Plaintiff’s claims and that Plaintiff had a cause of action against Defendant Nassar and/or
Defendant MSU at the time his sexual assaults occurred making a material
a. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct were a “new
procedure” which involved vaginal penetration;
c. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was “checking your
sternum;”
d. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was doing a “breast
exam;”
e. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was medical
“treatment” for a legitimate medical purpose and that it was the same that he
performed on Olympic athletes;
f. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was “attempting to
manipulate [their] ribs;” and,
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352. The material representation(s) to Plaintiff by Defendant Nassar were false, in that he was
actually performing them for his own sexual gratification and pleasure evidenced by his
observed arousal, flushed face, and closing of the eyes during the conduct.
353. When Defendant Nassar made the material representation(s), he knew that they were false,
in that he knew that the “treatment[s]” were not proper, appropriate, legitimate, and/or
considered within standard of care by any physician of any specialty and/or sports therapist.
354. Defendant Nassar made the material representation(s) with the intent that the material
b. Should believe that the “treatment[s]” were proper, appropriate, and legitimate;
c. Should not believe that she had been sexually assaulted; should not believe that she
had been sexually assaulted so that he could prevent discovery of his sexual
assaults;
d. Should continue the “treatment[s]” so that he could continue to sexually assault her;
e. Should not question and/or report the conduct to appropriate authorities; and,
f. Should not reasonably believe and not be aware of a possible cause of action that
she has against Defendant Nassar and/or Defendant Twistars or Defendant Geddert.
355. Plaintiff acted in reliance upon Defendant Nassar’s material representation(s), in that
Plaintiff:
b. Reasonably believed that the “treatments” were proper, appropriate, and legitimate;
c. Reasonably did not believe that she had been sexually assaulted;
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e. Did not believe that she should question and/or report the conduct to appropriate
authorities; and did not reasonably believe that she had and was not aware of a
possible cause of action that she had against Defendant Nassar and/or Defendant
Twistars or Defendant Geddert.
357. Defendant Nassar concealed the fraud by making a fraudulent material representation(s) to
Plaintiff that was/were designed and/or planned to prevent inquiry and escape investigation
and prevent subsequent discovery of his fraud, in that he made a material representation(s)
a. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct were a “new
procedure” which involved vaginal penetration;
c. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was “checking your
sternum;”
d. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was doing a “breast
exam;”
68
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e. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was medical
“treatment” for a legitimate medical purpose and that it was the same that he
performed on Olympic athletes;
f. Making the statement, explaining, that his acts and/or conduct was “attempting to
manipulate [their] ribs;” and,
358. Defendant Nassar concealing the fraud by an affirmative act(s) that was/were designed
and/or planned to prevent inquiry and escape investigation and prevent subsequent
d. Did not abide by or follow the standard and care which requires another medical
professional, chaperone, parent, guardian, and/or caregiver be in the room during
the examination and treatment of minors and female patients;
e. Did not abide by or follow Defendant USAG’s Code of Ethics, Participant Welfare
Policy, Safety/Risk Management Certification, principles in Gymnastics Risk
Management Safety Course Handbook, and Prohibited Conduct policy, or any
similar policies established by Defendant Twistars or Defendant Geddert, by not
examining patients in the presence of a parent, chaperone, guardian, and/or
caregiver; and,
f. Gave Plaintiff, at appointments, gifts such as t-shirts, pins, flags, leotards, and other
items, some with USAG logos and others without, in order to gain their trust.
69
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359. The actions and inactions of Defendant Nassar, as described in the preceding paragraphs,
360. At all times pertinent to this action, Defendant Nassar was an agent, apparent agent,
servant, and employee of Defendants MSU, USAG, and Twistars and operated within the
scope of his employment and his Fraudulent Concealment is imputed to Defendants MSU,
361. At all times material hereto, Plaintiff was entirely free of any negligence contributing to
F. A. COUNT ONE
VIOLATIONS OF TITLE IX
20 U.S.C. §1681(a), et seq.
PLAINTIFF AGAINST DEFENDANTS MSU AND MSU TRUSTEES
362. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
363. Title IX’s statutory language states, “No person in the United States shall on the basis of
365. Defendant MSU receives federal financial assistance for its education program and is
therefore subject to the provisions of Title IX of the Education Act of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §
1681(a), et seq.
33
20 U.S.C. § 1681(a) (emphasis added).
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366. Defendant MSU is required under Title IX to investigate allegations of sexual assault,
367. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights has explained that Title IX
covers all programs of a school, and extends to sexual harassment and assault by
368. Defendant Nassar’s actions and conduct were carried out under one of Defendant MSU’s
369. Defendant Nassar’s conduct and actions toward Plaintiff, that being nonconsensual digital
vaginal and anal penetration, touching of Plaintiff’s vaginal area, and touching of
370. As early as 1997, an “appropriate person” at Defendant MSU had actual knowledge of the
sexual assault, abuse, and molestation committed by Defendant Nassar by virtue of Larisa
Boyce’s statements to Defendant Klages regarding her sexual assault by Defendant Nassar.
371. In addition, Defendant MSU was aware that Defendant Nassar sexually assaulted Plaintiff
in 1992 and rather than investigate and take affirmative actions to cease this unlawful
372. Given the response by defendants to Plaintiff Erika’s complaints, it is clear that defendant
MSU was aware and/or had notice that Defendant Nassar sexually assaulted other girls,
373. Larisa Boyce’s statements to Defendant Klages were further corroborated to Defendant
34
U.S. Dept. of Ed., Office of Civil Rights, Q & A on Title IX and Sexual Misconduct, Sept. 22,
2017, at 1, 2, 3, https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/qa-title-ix-201709.pdf.
71
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374. In addition, the MSU Defendants were notified about Defendant Nassar’s sexual abuse and
375. Among the persons notified about Defendant Nassar’s sexual abuse was Defendant
Teachnor-Hauk, who was serving in a supervisory role to other athletic trainers and was an
“appropriate person.”
376. In approximately 2001 or 2002, Jennifer Rood Bedford, an MSU student athlete on the
women’s volleyball team, was sexually assaulted and abused during “treatment” by
377. According to Ms. Bedford, Nassar was known among the women’s volleyball team as the
“crotch doc” because of his “unconventional methods” of treating sports injuries with
vaginal penetrations.
378. Ms. Bedford was extremely uncomfortable with the fact that she had been assaulted and
379. Ms. Hadden dissuaded Ms. Bedford from filing a formal complaint against Nassar because
it would result in an investigation against Nassar, making an accusation against Nassar and
statement that she felt that what Nassar did was unprofessional or criminally wrong.
35
See Nassar Victim: Jennifer Rood Bedford Statement, Jan. 16, 2018, Available at
https://www.clickondetroit.com/video/nassar-victim-jennifer-rood-bedford-statement. Last
accessed January 16, 2018.
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380. Upon information and belief, in approximately 2004, Defendant Gary E. Stollak was told
Nassar.
381. Defendant Stollak did not report the abuse to law enforcement or to child protective
services.
382. The MSU Defendants failed to carry out their duties to investigate and take corrective
action under Title IX following the complaints of sexual assault, abuse, and molestation in
383. The MSU Defendants were notified again in 2014 of Defendant Nassar’s conduct when
Amanda Thomashow reported she had an appointment with Defendant Nassar to address
hip pain and was sexually abused and molested by Defendant Nassar when he cupped her
buttocks, massaged her breast and vaginal area, and he became sexually aroused.36
384. Amanda Thomashow reported to Defendant MSU facts which were omitted or withheld
from the investigative report including but not limited to the following:
b. The appointment with Defendant Nassar did not end until she physically removed
his hands from her body.
385. Three months after initiating an investigation, in July 2014, Amanda Thomashow’s
complaints were dismissed and Defendant MSU determined she didn’t understand the
“nuanced difference” between sexual assault and an appropriate medical procedure and
36
See, At MSU: Assault, harassment and secrecy. Matt Mencarini, December 15, 2016. Available
at http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2016/12/15/michigan-state-sexual-
assault- harassment-larry-nassar/94993582/, last accessed January 5, 2017.
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nature.”37
386. In addition, MSU produced two different versions of the report in response to the July 2014
investigation—one version was sent to Amanda Thomashow and a different version was
387. Following the 2014 investigation, Defendant Nassar became subject to new institutional
388. The MSU Defendants failed to adequately supervise or otherwise ensure Defendant Nassar
complied with the newly imposed institutional guidelines even though the MSU
Defendants had actual knowledge that Defendant Nassar posed a substantial risk of
389. After the 1992, 1997/1998, 1999, 2000, 2001/2002, and 2014 complaints to MSU
employees or agents, Defendant Nassar continued to sexually assault, abuse, and molest
individuals.
390. The MSU Defendants acted with deliberate indifference to known acts of sexual assault,
a. failing to investigate and address the prior allegations as required by Title IX;
b. failing to adequately investigate and address the 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001/2002, and
2014 complaints regarding Defendant Nassar’s conduct; and,
391. The MSU Defendants acted with deliberate indifference as its lack of response to the
37
Id.
38
Id.
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allegations of sexual assault, abuse, and molestation was clearly unreasonable in light of
the known circumstances, including Defendant Nassar’s actions with patients, female
392. The MSU Defendants’ deliberate indifference was confirmed by the Department of
a. A sexually hostile environment existed and affected numerous students and staff
on Defendant MSU’s campus;
393. The MSU Defendants’ responses were clearly unreasonable as Defendant Nassar continued
to sexually assault female athletes, patients, and other individuals until he was discharged
394. Between the dates of approximately 1992 and 2016, the MSU Defendants acted in a
deliberately indifferent, grossly negligent, and/or reckless manner when they failed to
395. The MSU Defendants’ failure to promptly and appropriately investigate and remedy and
respond to the sexual assaults after they received repeated notice of Defendant Nassar’s
wrongdoing subjected Plaintiff and countless others to further sexual harassment and
39
See, Letter from U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights to Michigan State
University, September 1, 2015, OCR Docket #15-11-2098, #15-14-2113. Available at
https://www2.ed.gov/documents/press-releases/michigan-state-letter.pdf. Last accessed January
4, 2017.
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396. As a direct and/or proximate result of the MSU Defendants’ actions and/or inactions,
Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pain of mind and body,
pregnancy and miscarriage and sequelae thereto, shock, emotional distress, physical
grief, humiliation, trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, post-traumatic stress disorder resulting
nightmares, psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will
continue to be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full
enjoyment of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning
capacity.
397. In the alternative, the actions or inaction of the MSU Defendants was deliberately
injury would result to Plaintiff and constitutes gross negligence that is the proximate cause
of Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering,
pregnancy and miscarriage and sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional
esteem, disgrace, fright, grief, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, post-traumatic stress
disorders, nightmares, psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented
and will continue to be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining
the full enjoyment of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and
earning capacity.
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B. COUNT TWO
SEX DISCRIMINATION
42 U.S.C. § 18116 (PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT § 1557)
PLAINTIFF AGAINST DEFENDANTS MSU AND MSU TRUSTEES
398. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
399. Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which is codified at 42
400. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. prohibits sex
401. Plaintiff as a female has a right under 42 U.S.C. § 18116 to receive health care services
403. Defendant MSU receives Federal financial assistance within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. §
18116 because it receives federal financial assistance such as credits, subsidies, or contracts
of insurance.
404. Defendant Nassar’s conduct and actions toward Plaintiff, that being nonconsensual digital
vaginal and anal penetration, touching of Plaintiff’s vaginal area, touching of Plaintiff’s
breasts, and rape constitutes sex discrimination under Title IX and 42 U.S.C. § 18116.
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405. The conduct of Defendants MSU and MSU Trustees described above constitutes sex
406. Defendants MSU and MSU Trustees perpetrated this discrimination with malice, deliberate
407. The MSU Defendants’ failure to promptly and appropriately investigate and remedy and
respond to the sexual assaults after they received repeated notice of Defendant Nassar’s
wrongdoing subjected Plaintiff and countless others to further sexual harassment and
408. As a direct and/or proximate result of the MSU Defendants’ actions and/or inactions,
Plaintiff has suffered and continue to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage
and sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
409. In the alternative, the actions or inaction of the MSU Defendants was deliberately
injury would result to Plaintiff and constitutes gross negligence that is the proximate cause
of Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering,
pregnancy and miscarriage and sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional
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disgrace, fright, grief, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, post-traumatic stress disorder
nightmares, psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will
continue to be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full
enjoyment of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning
capacity.
C. COUNT THREE
410. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
411. Plaintiff, as a female, is a member of a protected class under the Equal Protection Clause
412. Plaintiff also enjoys the constitutionally protected substantive due process right to be free
from the invasion of bodily integrity through rape, sexual assault, abuse, or molestation
413. At all relevant times, Defendants Klages, Strampel, Kovan, Dietzel, Lemmen, Teachnor-
Hauk, Stollak, and Nassar were acting under color of law, to wit, under color of statutes,
ordinances, regulations, policies, customs, and usages of the State of Michigan and/or
414. The acts as alleged above amount to a violation of these clearly established constitutionally
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protected rights, including the right to be free from sexual assault, of which reasonable
415. At all relevant times, Defendants Klages, Strampel, Dietzel, and Kovan had the ultimate
responsibility and authority to train and supervise their employees, agents, and/or
abuse, assault, and molestation and as a matter of acts, custom, policy, and/or practice,
416. At all relevant times, Defendants Strampel, Dietzel, and Kovan acted in a supervisory role
to Defendant Nassar through their roles at Defendant MSU’s Sports Medicine Clinic,
institutions.
417. At all relevant times, Defendant Klages, as the head coach of the MSU Women’s
Gymnastics Team, acted in a supervisory role to Defendant Nassar while he was acting as
418. As a matter of custom, policy, and/or practice, Defendant Klages had the ultimate
responsibility and authority to investigate complaints from her athletes that involved
419. As a matter of custom, policy, and/or practice, Defendants Klages, Strampel, Dietzel, and
Kovan had and have the ultimate responsibility and authority to investigate complaints
against their employees, agents, and representatives from all individuals including, but not
limited to students, patients, visitors, faculty, staff, or other employees, agents, and/or
420. Defendant Lemmen’s actions in assisting to exonerate Defendant Nassar from wrongdoing
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Defendant Nassar’s patient medical records from Defendant MSU’s Sports Medicine
conspiracy between Defendant Nassar and Defendant Lemmen to deprive Plaintiff of her
constitutional rights.
Tiffany Thomas Lopez from pursuing further action against Defendant Nassar, and her
statements to law enforcement denying the existence of any prior complaints about
rights.
422. Defendants Klages, Strampel, Dietzel, Lemmen, Kovan, Teachnor-Hauk, Stollak, and
Nassar had a duty to prevent sexual assault, abuse, and molestation of MSU’s patients,
athletes, and other members of the public who utilize MSU’s resources, those duties arising
423. Defendant MSU’s internal policies provide that “[a]ll University employees ... are expected
to promptly report sexual misconduct or relationship violence that they observe or learn
about and that involves a member of the University community (faculty, staff or student)
employee must report all relevant details about the alleged relationship violence or sexual
424. Defendant Klages violated the aforementioned internal policies in or around 1997 when
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Larisa Boyce and other athletes told Defendant Klages that they had been sexually
assaulted by Defendant Nassar, and Defendant Klages refused to report the incident and
instead intimidated, humiliated, and embarrassed Larisa Boyce and other athletes.
425. Defendant Klages’s violation of the policy by refusing to take any action in response to
legitimate and credible claims of sexual assault by P Larisa Boyce and other athletes
resulted in Plaintiff’s continued violations of their constitutional rights, including their Due
Process right to bodily integrity, which includes the right to be free from sexual assaults.
426. Defendant Klages’s actions as alleged above also demonstrate the existence of an
427. Defendant MSU’s aforementioned internal policies were violated in or around 1999 when
Christie Achenbach reported sexual assault, abuse, and molestation by Defendant Nassar
to MSU representatives including trainers and coaches, including Kelli Bert, and no action
428. Defendant MSU’s aforementioned internal policies were also violated in or around 2000
when Tiffany Thomas Lopez reported sexual assault, abuse, and molestation by Defendant
429. Defendant MSU’s aforementioned internal policies were also violated in or around
2001/2002 when Jennifer Rood Bedford reported sexual assault, abuse, and molestation by
Defendant Nassar to Lianna Hadden and other MSU representatives, including trainers,
430. At all relevant times, Defendant MSU had a policy requiring MSU employees to
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immediately report suspected child abuse, sexual assault, and child pornography.40
434. Ultimately Defendants Klages, Strampel, Dietzel, Lemmen, Kovan, Stollak, Teachnor-
Hauk failed to adequately and properly investigate the complaints of Plaintiff or other
b. Thoroughly review and investigate all policies, practices, procedures, and training
Nassar;
c. Recognize sexual assault when reported in 2014 and permitted university officials
to deem sexual assault as “medically appropriate” and “not of a sexual nature;” and
d. Ensure all institutional guidelines issued following the 2014 investigation into
435. As indicated in the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights report, the MSU
Defendants had a culture that permitted a sexually hostile environment to exist affecting
40
See, President Lou Anna K. Simon reminds Michigan State employees of obligation to report
sexual assault, Brandon Howell, August 17, 2012, available at, http://www.mlive.com/lansing-
news/index.ssf/2012/08/president_lou_anna_k_simon_rem.html, Last accessed Feb. 17, 2018
(“Simon writes in the e-mail … ‘I write to remind University employees about the reporting
protocols for suspected child abuse, child pornography, and allegations of sexual assault.’ Jason
Cody, a spokesperson for the university said the protocols outlined in Simon’s email ‘long have
been in place for employees.’”)(emphasis added).
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436. Also indicated in the report was Defendant MSU’s custom, practice, and/or policy of
and equitable manner which caused and may have contributed to a continuation of the
437. By failing to prevent the aforementioned sexual assault, abuse, and molestation upon
assault, abuse, and molestation that was so clearly unreasonable that it amounted to gross
Teachnor-Hauk, Kovan, and Stollak are liable to Plaintiff pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
438. Defendants Klages, Strampel, Dietzel, Lemmen, Teachnor-Hauk, Kovan, and Stollak are
also liable to Plaintiff under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for maintaining customs, policies, and
practices which deprived Plaintiff of rights secured by the Fourteenth Amendment to the
439. Defendants Klages, Strampel, Dietzel, Lemmen, Teachnor-Hauk, Stollak, and Kovan
Nassar, with the result that Defendant Nassar was allowed to violate the constitutional
440. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendants Klages, Strampel, Dietzel, Lemmen,
Teachnor-Hauk, Kovan, Stollak, and Nassar’s actions and/or inactions, Plaintiff has
suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pain of mind and body, shock,
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sleep disorders, nightmares, psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was
prevented and will continue to be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and
obtaining the full enjoyment of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of
441. In the alternative, the actions or inactions of Defendants Klages, Strampel, Dietzel,
substantial lack of concern for whether an injury would result to Plaintiff and constitutes
gross negligence that is the proximate cause of Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff has suffered
and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional
disgrace, fright, grief, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, post-traumatic stress disorder
nightmares, psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will
continue to be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full
enjoyment of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning
capacity.
C. COUNT FOUR
442. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
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443. Defendants Klages, Strampel, Dietzel, and Kovan have the ultimate responsibility and
authority to train and supervise their employees, agents, and/or representatives including
Defendant Nassar and all faculty and staff regarding their duties toward athletes, students,
444. Defendants Klages, Strampel, Dietzel, and Kovan failed to train and supervise their
employees, agents, and/or representatives including all faculty and staff, regarding the
following duties:
d. Ensure the safety of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to Defendant MSU’s
campuses premises;
e. Provide a safe environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to Defendant
MSU’s premises free from sexual harassment; and,
f. Properly train faculty and staff to be aware of their individual responsibility for
creating and maintaining a safe environment.
446. Defendants Klages, Strampel, Dietzel, and Kovan failed to adequately train coaches,
trainers, medical staff, and others regarding the aforementioned duties which led to
447. As a result, Defendants Klages, Strampel, Dietzel, and Kovan deprived Plaintiff of rights
U.S.C. § 1983.
448. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendants Klages, Strampel, Dietzel, and Kovan’s
actions and/or inactions, Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering,
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pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations of emotional
physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to be prevented from
performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment of life and have
449. In the alternative, the actions or inaction of the Defendants Klages, Strampel, Dietzel, and
injury would result to Plaintiff and constitutes gross negligence that is the proximate cause
of Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering,
pregnancy and miscarriage and sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional
disgrace, fright, grief, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, post-traumatic stress disorder
nightmares, psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will
continue to be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full
enjoyment of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning
capacity.
D. COUNT FIVE
GROSS NEGLIGENCE
M.C.L. § 600.1407(2)(c)
PLAINTIFF AGAINST THE MSU DEFENDANTS
AND DEFENDANT NASSAR
450. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
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paragraphs.
451. The MSU Defendants owed Plaintiff a duty to use due care to ensure her safety and freedom
from sexual assault, abuse, and molestation while interacting with their employees,
452. Defendant Nassar owed Plaintiff a duty of due care in carrying out medical treatment as an
453. By seeking medical treatment from Defendant Nassar in the course of his employment,
agency, and/or representation of the MSU Defendants, a special, confidential, and fiduciary
relationship between Plaintiff and Defendant Nassar was created, resulting in Defendant
454. The MSU Defendants’ failure to adequately supervise Defendant Nassar, especially after
MSU knew or should have known of complaints regarding his nonconsensual sexual
455. Defendant Nassar’s conduct in sexually assaulting, abusing, and molesting and raping
Plaintiff in the course of his employment, agency, and/or representation of the MSU
Defendants and under the guise of rendering “medical treatment” was so reckless as to
demonstrate a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury would result to Plaintiff.
456. The MSU Defendants’ conduct demonstrated a willful disregard for precautions to ensure
Plaintiff’s safety.
457. The MSU Defendants’ conduct as described above, demonstrated a willful disregard for
458. The MSU Defendants breached duties owed to Plaintiff and were grossly negligent when
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they conducted themselves by the actions described above, said acts having been
committed with reckless disregard for Plaintiff’s health, safety, Constitutional and/or
statutory rights, and with a substantial lack of concern as to whether an injury would result.
459. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendants’ actions and/or inactions, Plaintiff has
suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
460. In the alternative, the actions or inaction of the Defendants was so reckless as to
demonstrate a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury would result to Plaintiff
and constitutes gross negligence that is the proximate cause of Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
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E. COUNT SIX
NEGLIGENCE
PLAINTIFF AGAINST THE MSU DEFENDANTS
AND DEFENDANT NASSAR
461. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
462. The MSU Defendants owed Plaintiff a duty of ordinary care to ensure their safety and
freedom from sexual assault, abuse, molestation and rape while interacting with their
463. By seeking medical treatment from Defendant Nassar in his capacity as an employee,
agent, and/or representative of the MSU Defendants, a special, confidential, and fiduciary
relationship between Plaintiff and Defendant Nassar was created, resulting in Defendant
465. The MSU Defendants’ failure to adequately train and supervise Defendant Nassar breached
466. The MSU Defendants had notice through its own employees, agents, and/or representatives
as early as 1992, again in 1997, again in 2000, and again in 2014 of complaints of a sexual
nature related to Defendant Nassar’s purported “treatments” with young girls and women.
467. The MSU Defendants should have known of the foreseeability of sexual abuse with respect
468. The MSU Defendants’ failure to properly investigate, address, and remedy complaints
469. Defendant Nassar’s conduct in sexually assaulting, abusing, and molesting Plaintiff in the
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course of his employment, agency, and/or representation of the MSU Defendants was a
470. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendants’ conduct, actions and/or inactions,
Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pain of mind and body,
loss of self-esteem, disgrace, fright, grief, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, post-
Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily
activities and obtaining the full enjoyment of life and have sustained and continue to sustain
471. In the alternative, the actions or inaction of the Defendants was so reckless as to
demonstrate a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury would result to Plaintiff
and constitutes gross negligence that is the proximate cause of Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
F. COUNT SEVEN
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VICARIOUS LIABILITY
PLAINTIFF AGAINST THE MSU DEFENDANTS
472. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
employer is bound to keep its employees within their proper bounds and is responsible if
it fails to do so.
474. Vicarious liability essentially creates agency between the principal and its agent, so that
the principal is held to have done what the agent has done.
475. The MSU Defendants employed and/or held Defendant Nassar out to be its agent and/or
476. Defendant MSU’s website contains hundreds of pages portraying Defendant Nassar as a
Sports Medicine.41
477. The MSU Defendants are vicariously liable for the actions of Defendant Nassar as
described above that were performed during the course of his employment, representation,
and/or agency with the MSU Defendants and while he had unfettered access to young
female athletes on MSU’s campus and premises through its College of Osteopathic
478. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendant Nassar’s actions carried out in the course
of his employment, agency, and/or representation of the MSU Defendants, Plaintiff has
suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
As of January 5, 2017, using the search term “Nassar” at www.msu.edu returns 402 results, the
41
majority of which include references to Defendant Nassar dating as far back as 1997.
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sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
479. In the alternative, the actions or inaction of the Defendants was so reckless as to
demonstrate a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury would result to Plaintiff
and constitutes gross negligence that is the proximate cause of Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
G. COUNT EIGHT
EXPRESS/IMPLIED AGENCY
PLAINTIFF AGAINST MSU DEFENDANTS
480. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
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482. The MSU Defendants intentionally or negligently made representations that Defendant
483. On the basis of those representations, Plaintiff reasonably believed that Defendant Nassar
484. Plaintiff was injured as a result of Defendant Nassar’s sexual assault, abuse, molestation
and rape as described above, acts that were performed during the course of his employment,
agency, and/or representation with the MSU Defendants and while he had unfettered access
485. Plaintiff was injured because they relied on the MSU Defendants to provide employees,
agents, and or representatives who would exercise reasonable skill and care.
486. As a direct and/or proximate cause of Defendant Nassar’s negligence carried out in the
course of his employment, agency, and/or representation of the MSU Defendants, Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
487. In the alternative, the actions or inaction of the Defendants was so reckless as to
demonstrate a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury would result to Plaintiff
and constitutes gross negligence that is the proximate cause of Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff
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has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
H. COUNT NINE
NEGLIGENT SUPERVISION
PLAINTIFF AGAINST THE MSU DEFENDANTS
488. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
489. The MSU Defendants had a duty to provide reasonable supervision of their employee,
agent, and/or representative, Defendant Nassar, while he was in the course of his
employment, agency or representation with the MSU Defendants and while he interacted
490. It was reasonably foreseeable given the known sexual abuse in youth sports and gymnastics
in particular that Defendant Nassar who had prior allegations against him had or would
491. The MSU Defendants by and through their employees, agents, managers and/or assigns,
knew or reasonably should have known of Defendant Nassar’s conduct and/or that
Defendant Nassar was an unfit employee, agent, and/or representative because of his sexual
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interest in children.
492. The MSU Defendants breached their duty to provide reasonable supervision of Defendant
Nassar, and permitted Defendant Nassar, who was in a position of trust and authority, to
493. The aforementioned sexual abuse occurred while Plaintiff and Defendant Nassar were on
the premises of Defendant MSU, and while Defendant Nassar was acting in the course of
494. The MSU Defendants tolerated, authorized and/or permitted a custom, policy, practice or
such individuals, with the result that Defendant Nassar was allowed to violate the rights of
495. As a direct and/or proximate result of the MSU Defendants’ negligent supervision, Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
496. In the alternative, the actions or inaction of the Defendants was so reckless as to
demonstrate a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury would result to Plaintiff
and constitutes gross negligence that is the proximate cause of Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff
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has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
I. COUNT TEN
497. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
498. The MSU Defendants knew or should have known that Defendant Nassar posed a risk of
499. As early as 1992, the MSU Defendants had direct and/or constructive knowledge as to the
dangerous conduct of Defendant Nassar and failed to act reasonably and responsibly in
response.
500. The MSU Defendants knew or should have known that Defendant Nassar committed
sexual assault, abuse, and molestation and/or was continuing to engage in such conduct.
501. The MSU Defendants had a duty to warn or protect Plaintiff and others in Plaintiff’s
502. The duty to disclose this information arose by the special, trusting, confidential, and
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503. The MSU Defendants breached said duty by failing to warn Plaintiff and/or by failing to
504. The MSU Defendants breached its duties to protect Plaintiff by failing to:
b. Detect and/or uncover evidence of sexual assault, abuse, and molestation; and,
505. The MSU Defendants failed to adequately screen, counsel and/or discipline Defendant
Nassar for physical and/or mental conditions that might have rendered him unfit to
506. The MSU Defendants explicitly concealed Defendant Nassar’s sexual abuse of children,
507. The MSU Defendants willfully refused to notify, give adequate warning, and implement
508. As a direct and/or proximate result of the MSU Defendants negligent failure to warn or
protect, Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and
miscarriage and sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress,
disgrace, fright, grief, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, post-traumatic stress disorder
nightmares, psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will
continue to be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full
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enjoyment of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning
capacity.
509. In the alternative, the actions or inaction of the Defendants was so reckless as to
demonstrate a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury would result to Plaintiff
and constitutes gross negligence that is the proximate cause of Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
J. COUNT ELEVEN
510. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
511. The MSU Defendants breached their duty to take reasonable protective measures to protect
Plaintiff and other minors from the risk of childhood sexual abuse and/or sexual assault by
Defendant Nassar, such as the failure to properly train or educate Plaintiff and other
a. Prevent acts of sexual assault, abuse, molestation and rape by Defendant Nassar;
99
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513. As a direct and/or proximate result of the MSU Defendants’ negligent failure to train or
educate, Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and
miscarriage and sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress,
disgrace, fright, grief, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, post-traumatic stress disorder
nightmares, psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will
continue to be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full
enjoyment of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning
capacity.
514. In the alternative, the actions or inaction of the Defendants was so reckless as to
demonstrate a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury would result to Plaintiff
and constitutes gross negligence that is the proximate cause of Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
100
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G. K. COUNT TWELVE
NEGLIGENT RETENTION
PLAINTIFF AGAINST THE MSU DEFENDANTS
515. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
516. The MSU Defendants had a duty when credentialing, hiring, retaining, screening,
517. The MSU Defendants were negligent in the retention of Defendant Nassar as an employee,
agent, and/or representative in their failure to adequately investigate, report and address
complaints about his conduct of which they knew or should have known.
518. The MSU Defendants were negligent in the retention of Defendant Nassar as an employee,
agent, and/or representative when after they discovered, or reasonably should have
misconduct.
519. The MSU Defendants’ failure to act in accordance with the standard of care resulted in
Defendant Nassar gaining access to and sexually abusing and/or sexually assaulting
520. The aforementioned negligence in the credentialing, hiring, retaining, screening, checking,
521. As a direct and/or proximate result of the MSU Defendants’ negligent retention, Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
101
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psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
522. In the alternative, the actions or inaction of the Defendants was so reckless as to
demonstrate a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury would result to Plaintiff
and constitutes gross negligence that is the proximate cause of Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
H. L. COUNT THIRTEEN
523. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
524. From approximately 1992 to September 2016, the MSU Defendants represented to Plaintiff
and the public that Defendant Nassar was a competent and safe physician.
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525. By representing that Defendant Nassar was a team physician and athletic physician at
Defendant MSU and a National Team Physician with Defendant USAG, the MSU
Defendants represented to Plaintiff and the public that Defendant Nassar was safe,
trustworthy, of high moral and ethical repute, and that Plaintiff and the public need not
526. The representations were false when they were made as Defendant Nassar had and was
continuing to sexually assault, abuse, molest and rape Plaintiff and an unknown number of
other individuals.
527. As of 1992, 1997, 1999, and 2000, the MSU Defendants knew their representations of
Defendant Nassar were false as at least one student athlete in 1992, another in 1997, another
in 1999, and Tiffany Thomas Lopez had complained of Defendant Nassar’s conduct to
MSU representatives.
528. Although MSU was informed of Defendant Nassar’s conduct they failed to investigate,
remedy, or in any way address the 1992, 1997, 1999, and 2000 complaints.
529. The MSU Defendants continued to hold Defendant Nassar out as a competent and safe
physician.
530. Additional complaints against Defendant Nassar surfaced in 2014, however, because of
Defendant MSU’s campus and premises and the University’s failure to address complaints
of sexual harassment, including sexual violence in a prompt and equitable manner which
in turn caused and may have contributed to a continuation of the sexually hostile
environment, Defendant Nassar was permitted to continue employment and sexually abuse,
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531. Between the time of the 2014 complaint and September 2016, the MSU Defendants
532. Plaintiff relied on the assertions of the MSU Defendants and several Plaintiff continued to
seek treatment from Defendant Nassar in the wake of known concerns and dangers.
533. Plaintiff was subjected to sexual assault, abuse, and molestation as a result of the MSU
534. As a direct and/or proximate result of the MSU Defendants’ fraudulent misrepresentations,
Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage
and sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
535. In the alternative, the actions or inaction of the Defendants was so reckless as to
demonstrate a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury would result to Plaintiff
and constitutes gross negligence that is the proximate cause of Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
42
See Letter from U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights to Michigan State
University, September 1, 2015, OCR Docket #15-11-2098, #15-14-2113. Available at
https://www2.ed.gov/documents/press-releases/michigan-state-letter.pdf. Last accessed January
4, 2017.
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sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
M. COUNT FOURTEEN
paragraphs.
537. The Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act (“Elliot-Larsen”) prohibits discrimination based on sex.
MCL 37.2102.
539. “Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and
542. An educational institution shall not “discriminate against an individual in the full utilization
of or benefit from the institution, or the services, activities, or programs provided by the
543. Elliot-Larsen also protects against sexual harassment in places of public accommodation.
MCL 37.2302. Under this section, an individual shall not be denied “full and equal
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544. MSU is a “place of public accommodation” because its “services, facilities, privileges,
546. Nassar’s actions and conduct were carried out under one of MSU’s programs, which
provides medical treatment to students, athletes, and the general public, wherein MSU,
through MSU Sport Medicine Clinic, solicits and markets to people like Plaintiff, and
547. Nassar’s actions and conduct toward Plaintiff denied her the full and equal enjoyment of
548. Nassar’s actions and conduct toward Plaintiff of nonconsensual sexual assault, battery,
molestation, and rape, which includes unconsented touching and rubbing of Plaintiff’s
genitalia, breasts, and unconsented digital penetration of Plaintiff’s vagina, constitute sex
549. As a direct and/or proximate result of the Defendant’s actions and/or inactions, Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
106
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be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
550. In the alternative, the actions or inaction of the Defendant was so reckless as to demonstrate
a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury would result to Plaintiff and constitutes
gross negligence that is the proximate cause of Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff has suffered
and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and sequelae thereto,
pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations of emotional
physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to be prevented from
performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment of life and has
A. COUNT FIFTEEN
551. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
552. Defendants USAG, Twistars, Geddert, and Nassar formed an enterprise (hereinafter “the
Enterprise”) by virtue of their agency relationships with each other in the area of
competitive gymnastics.
553. Through the Enterprise, Defendants USAG, Twistars, Geddert, and Nassar engaged in
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1591.
554. Violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1591 are a “racketeering activity” as that term is defined in 18
U.S.C. § 1961(1).
555. The Enterprise created a financial benefit to each of the Defendants from participating in
556. Defendant USAG knowingly received a financial benefit in the forms of membership fees,
557. Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert knowingly received a financial benefit in the
forms of national and global exposure, fame, and increased enrollment from participating
in the Enterprise.
558. Defendant Nassar knowingly obtained a financial benefit in the forms of national and
global exposure, fame, and an increase in the number of patients treated, which in turn led
559. The purpose of the Enterprise in part was to create a system by which Defendant Nassar
was enabled to engage in commercial sex acts with young athletes and gymnasts through
560. The Enterprise engaged in fraud by either knowingly or with reckless disregard of the truth,
affirmatively representing to gymnasts and the public at large that Defendant Nassar was a
561. The Enterprise’s fraudulent representations were used to cause all USA Gymnastics
562. Through the Enterprise, Defendant Nassar was able to engage in commercial sex acts with
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gymnasts throughout the United States and around the world, including at every Olympic
563. The commercial sex acts involved Defendant Nassar’s digital vaginal and anal penetration
and touching of breasts of gymnasts in exchange for the gymnasts receiving some amount
of medical treatment.
564. Defendant Nassar received value from participating from the commercial sex acts in the
565. The commercial sex acts also conferred value to the Enterprise as described above.
566. The conduct alleged in this complaint constitutes a “pattern of racketeering activity,” as
that term is defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1961(5) as Plaintiff has alleged more than two acts that
occurred after the enactment of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
and at least two racketeering activities occurred within the last 10 years.
567. Defendants USAG, Twistars, and Geddert’s actions aided and abetted Defendant Nassar in
gymnasts through his role as team doctor and Defendants USAG, Twistars, and Geddert
were generally aware of their role in the racketeering activity at the time they provided
568. As a direct and proximate cause of Defendants USAG, Twistars, Geddert, and Nassar’s
racketeering activities, Plaintiff suffered injury to her business or property because the
sexual assaults caused her to either quit or retire from athletics prematurely effectively
depriving her of the right to pursue business opportunities in the field of athletics or to
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pursue college athletic scholarships and was prevented and will continue to be prevented
from performing her daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment of life, and has
sustained and continues to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity and requests treble
B. COUNT SIXTEEN
GROSS NEGLIGENCE
AGAINST DEFENDANT USAG AND DEFENDANT NASSAR
569. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
570. Defendant USAG owed the public and the Plaintiff a duty to use due care to ensure their
safety and freedom from sexual assault, abuse, and molestation while interacting with their
571. The Plaintiff is or was a member of USAG, participated in USAG sanctioned events, and/or
572. Defendant Nassar owed Plaintiff a duty to use due care in his capacity as an employee,
573. By seeking medical treatment from Defendant Nassar in his capacity as an employee,
relationship between Plaintiff and Defendant Nassar was created, resulting in Defendant
574. Defendant USAG’s failure to adequately supervise Defendant Nassar was so reckless as to
demonstrate a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury would result to Plaintiff.
575. Defendant Nassar’s conduct in sexually assaulting, abusing, and molesting Plaintiff under
110
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576. Defendant USAG’s conduct demonstrated a willful disregard for necessary precautions to
577. Defendant USAG’s conduct as described above, demonstrated a willful disregard for
578. Defendant USAG breached duties owed to Plaintiff and were grossly negligent when they
conducted themselves by actions described above, including but not limited to their failure
to notify MSU about the reasons for Nassar’s separation from USAG and more broadly the
issues surrounding sexual abuse in gymnastics and warning signs and reporting
requirements. Said acts were committed with reckless disregard for Plaintiff’s health,
safety, Constitutional and/or statutory rights, and with a substantial lack of concern as to
579. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendant USAG’s actions and/or inactions, Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
111
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C. COUNT SEVENTEEN
580. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
581. Defendant USAG owed the public and Plaintiff a duty of ordinary care to ensure their
safety and freedom from sexual assault, abuse, and molestation while being treated by their
582. Plaintiff had a reasonable expectation that the USAG was recommending, employing, and
holding out competent and ethical physicians and trainers for medical treatment who would
carry out said treatment without sexual assault, abuse, and molestation.
583. By seeking medical treatment from Defendant Nassar in his capacity as an employee,
relationship between Plaintiff and Defendant Nassar was created, resulting in Defendant
584. Defendant Nassar owed Plaintiff a duty of ordinary care in carrying out medical treatment.
585. Defendant USAG’s failure to adequately train and supervise Defendant Nassar breached
586. Defendant USAG’s failure to properly investigate, address, and remedy complaints
587. Defendant USAG’s failure to inform Plaintiff and the public of the allegations and concerns
leading to Defendant Nassar’s separation from USAG was a breach of ordinary care.
588. Defendant Nassar’s conduct in sexually assaulting, abusing, and molesting Plaintiff was a
112
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589. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendants’ conduct, actions and/or inactions,
Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage
and sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
D. COUNT EIGHTEEN
590. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs
employer is bound to keep its employees within their proper bounds and is responsible if
it fails to do so.
592. Vicarious liability essentially creates agency between the principal and its agent, so that
the principal is held to have done what the agent has done.
593. Defendant USAG’s website contains sites portraying Defendant Nassar as the recipient of
distinguished awards and boasts him as having been “instrumental” to the success of USA
gymnastics.
594. Defendant USAG employed and/or held Defendant Nassar out to be its agent and/or
113
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595. Defendant USAG is vicariously liable for the actions of Defendant Nassar as described
above that were performed during the course of his employment, representation, or agency
with Defendant USAG and while he had unfettered access to young female athletes.
596. As a direct and/or proximate cause of Defendant Nassar’s negligence carried out in the
course of his employment, agency, and/or representation with Defendant USAG, Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life, and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity
E. COUNT NINETEEN
597. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
599. Defendant USAG intentionally or negligently made representations that Defendant Nassar
600. On the basis of those representations, Plaintiff reasonably believed Defendant Nassar was
601. Plaintiff was injured as a result of Defendant Nassar’s sexual assault, abuse, and
114
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molestation as described above carried out through his employment, agency, and/or
602. Plaintiff was injured because she relied on Defendant USAG to provide employees or
603. As a direct and/or proximate cause of Defendant Nassar’s negligence carried out in the
course of his employment, agency, and/or representation with Defendant USAG, Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and have sustained and continue to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
F. COUNT TWENTY
604. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs
605. Defendant USAG had a duty to provide reasonable supervision of its employee, agent,
and/or representative, Defendant Nassar, while he was in the course of his employment,
agency and/or representation of Defendant USAG and while he interacted with young
606. It was reasonably foreseeable given the known sexual abuse in youth sports and gymnastics
115
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in particular that Defendant Nassar who had prior allegations against him had or would
607. Defendant USAG by and through their employees, agents, managers and/or assigns such
as Mr. Penny or Mr. Colarossi, knew or reasonably should have known of Defendant
Nassar’s conduct and/or that Defendant Nassar was an unfit employee, agent, and/or
608. Defendant USAG breached its duty to provide reasonable supervision of Defendant Nassar,
and its failure permitted Defendant Nassar, who was in a position of trust and authority, to
609. The aforementioned sexual abuse occurred while Defendant Nassar was acting in the
610. Defendant USAG tolerated, authorized and/or permitted a custom, policy, practice or
Defendant Nassar, with the result that Defendant Nassar was allowed to violate the rights
611. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendant USAG’s negligent supervision, Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
116
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of life and has sustained and continues to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
G. COUNT TWENTY-ONE
612. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
613. Given the direct or indirect knowledge of sexual abuse in youth sports and in particular
gymnastics, it was reasonably foreseeable that sexual abuse of minors may occur if proper
614. Defendant USAG knew or should have known that Defendant Nassar posed a risk of harm
615. Defendant USAG had direct and/or constructive knowledge as to the dangerous conduct of
616. Defendant USAG knew or should have known that Defendant Nassar previously
committed sexual assault, abuse, and molestation and/or was continuing to engage in such
conduct.
617. Defendant USAG had a duty to warn or protect the public, Plaintiff, and others in Plaintiff’s
618. The duty to disclose this information arose by the special, trusting, confidential, and
fiduciary relationship between Defendant Nassar in his capacity as employee, agent, and/or
619. Defendant USAG breached said duty by failing to warn the public and the Plaintiff and/or
by failing to take reasonable steps to protect the public and the Plaintiff from Defendant
Nassar.
117
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620. Defendant USAG breached its duties to protect Plaintiff by failing to detect and/or uncover
evidence of sexual abuse and sexual assault, investigate Defendant Nassar, adjudicate and
suspend and/or ban Defendant Nassar from USAG affiliation and USAG sanctioned
events.
621. Defendant USAG failed to adequately screen, counsel and/or discipline Defendant Nassar
for physical and/or mental conditions that might have rendered him unfit to discharge the
622. Defendant USAG willfully refused to notify, give adequate warning, and implement
623. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendant USAG’s negligent failure to warn or
protect, Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and
miscarriage and sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress,
disgrace, fright, grief, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, post-traumatic stress disorder
nightmares, psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will
continue to be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full
enjoyment of life and has sustained and continues to sustain loss of earnings and earning
capacity.
H. COUNT TWENTY-TWO
624. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
118
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paragraphs
625. Defendant USAG breached its duty to take reasonable protective measures to protect the
public and Plaintiff from the risk of sexual abuse and/or sexual assault by Defendant
Nassar, such as the failure to properly train or educate Plaintiff and other individuals
627. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendant USAG’s negligent failure to train or
educate, Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and
miscarriage and sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress,
disgrace, fright, grief, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, post-traumatic stress disorder
nightmares, psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will
continue to be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full
enjoyment of life and has sustained and continues to sustain loss of earnings and earning
capacity.
I. COUNT TWENTY-THREE
628. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
629. Defendant USAG had a duty when credentialing, hiring, retaining, screening, checking,
119
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630. Defendant USAG was negligent in the retention of Defendant Nassar as an employee,
agent, and/or representative in their failure to adequately investigate, report, and address
complaints about his conduct of which they knew or should have known.
631. Defendant USAG was negligent in the retention of Defendant Nassar when after they
632. Defendant USAG’s failure to act in accordance with the standard of care resulted in
Defendant Nassar gaining access to and sexually abusing and/or sexually assaulting
633. The aforementioned negligence in the credentialing, hiring, retaining, screening, checking,
634. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendant USAG’s negligent retention, Plaintiff has
suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and has sustained and continues to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
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J. COUNT TWENTY-FOUR
635. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
636. From approximately 1992 to summer 2015, Defendant USAG represented to Plaintiff and
the public that Defendant Nassar was a competent, ethical, and safe physician.
637. By representing that Defendant Nassar was a team physician and athletic physician at
Defendant MSU and a National Team Physician with Defendant USAG, Defendant USAG
represented to Plaintiff and the public that Defendant Nassar was safe, trustworthy, of high
moral and ethical repute, and that Plaintiff and the public need not worry about being
638. The representations were false when they were made as Defendant Nassar had and was
continuing to sexually assault, abuse, molest and rape Plaintiff and an unknown number of
other individuals.
639. Additionally, complaints were made to Defendant USAG, yet Defendant USAG did not
contact Plaintiff, the MSU Defendants, or any other clubs, or organizations affiliated with
Defendant Nassar to inform them of the allegations and potential harm to Plaintiff and
others.
640. Plaintiff relied on the assertions of Defendant USAG and Plaintiff continued to seek
641. Plaintiff was subjected to sexual assault, abuse, and molestation as a result of Defendant
642. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendant USAG’s fraud and misrepresentation,
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Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage
and sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and has sustained and continues to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
A. COUNT TWENTY-FIVE
643. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
644. Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert owed the public and the Plaintiff a duty to use
due care to ensure their safety and freedom from sexual assault, abuse, molestation and
645. Defendant Nassar owed Plaintiff a duty to use due care as an employee, representative,
646. By seeking medical treatment from Defendant Nassar in his capacity as an employee,
relationship between Plaintiff and Defendant Nassar was created, resulting in Defendant
647. Given known sexual abuse which has taken place in youth sports including gymnastics and
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the reasonable foreseeability that harm may occur to athletes, Defendant Twistars and
Defendant Geddert not only referred athletes to Defendant Nassar but also failed to
demonstrate a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury would result to Plaintiff.
648. Defendant Nassar’s conduct in sexually assaulting, abusing, molesting and raping Plaintiff
in the course of his employment, agency, and/or representation of Defendant Twistars and
649. Defendant Twistars’ conduct and the conduct of Defendant Geddert demonstrated a willful
650. Defendant Twistars’ conduct and the conduct of Defendant Geddert as described above,
651. Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert breached duties owed to Plaintiff and were
grossly negligent when they conducted themselves by actions described above, said acts
having been committed with reckless disregard for Plaintiff’s health, safety, Constitutional
and/or statutory rights, and with a substantial lack of concern as to whether an injury would
result.
652. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendants’ gross negligence, Plaintiff has suffered
and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and sequelae thereto,
pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations of emotional
123
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physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to be prevented from
performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment of life and has
B. COUNT TWENTY-SIX
653. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
654. In 1992, Plaintiff and her coach complained to MSU Defendants about Defendant Nassar
sexually assaulting and raping her, but Defendants concealed it and indicated that this was
Defendant Geddert, the owner and operator of Defendant Twistars, regarding Dr. Nassar’s
656. Despite being informed of Defendant Nassar’s conduct, Defendant Geddert recommended
657. Defendant Geddert owed Plaintiff a duty of ordinary care to ensure their safety and freedom
Defendant Geddert breached the duty of ordinary care to Plaintiff and the public.
659. Defendant Twistars breached the duty of ordinary care to Plaintiff and the public in failing
124
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660. Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert breached the duty of ordinary care to Plaintiff
and the public by failing to report the 1998 allegations, which were made to Defendant
661. Plaintiff, as a member of the public, in taking the recommendation of Defendant Geddert
to seek medical treatment from Defendant Nassar had a reasonable expectation that
Defendant Nassar would carry out medical treatment without subjecting them to sexual
662. By seeking medical treatment from Defendant Nassar, a special, confidential, and fiduciary
relationship between Plaintiff and Defendant Nassar was created, resulting in Defendant
663. Defendant Nassar owed Plaintiff a duty of ordinary care in carrying out medical treatment
664. Defendant Twistars’ failure to adequately train and supervise Defendant Nassar while he
abusing, and molesting Plaintiff in the course of and under the guise of rendering medical
666. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendants’ negligence, Plaintiff has suffered and
continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and sequelae thereto,
pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations of emotional
125
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physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to be prevented from
performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment of life, and has
C. COUNT TWENTY-SEVEN
EXPRESS/IMPLIED AGENCY
AGAINST DEFENDANTS TWISTARS AND GEDDERT
667. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
670. On the basis of those representations, Plaintiff reasonably believed that Defendant Nassar
671. Plaintiff was injured as a result of Defendant Nassar’s sexual assault, abuse, and
672. Plaintiff was injured because they relied on Defendant Twistars to provide employees,
673. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendant Twistars’ negligent failure to train or
educate, Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and
miscarriage and sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress,
disgrace, fright, grief, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, post-traumatic stress disorder
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nightmares, psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will
continue to be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full
enjoyment of life and has sustained and continues to sustain loss of earnings and earning
capacity.
D. COUNT TWENTY-EIGHT
NEGLIGENT SUPERVISION
AGAINST DEFENDANTS TWISTARS AND GEDDERT
674. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
675. Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert each had a duty to provide reasonable
supervision of its employee, agent, and/or representative, Defendant Nassar, while he was
676. It was reasonably foreseeable given the known sexual abuse in youth sports and gymnastics
in particular that Defendant Nassar who had prior allegations against him had or would
sexually abuse children and young women, including Plaintiff, unless properly supervised.
677. Defendant Twistars by and through their employees, agents, managers, and/or assigns, and
Nassar’s conduct and/or that Defendant Nassar was an unfit employee, agent, and/or
representative because of his sexual interest in children and young adults and due to the
complaints prior to 1992 and 1998 complaint made to Defendant Geddert of the
678. Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert breached their duty to provide reasonable
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supervision of Defendant Nassar, and permitted Defendant Nassar, who was in a position
679. The aforementioned sexual abuse occurred while Plaintiff and Defendant Nassar were on
the premises of Defendant Twistars, and while Defendant Nassar was acting in the course
680. Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert tolerated, authorized and/or permitted a
screen, counsel, or discipline such individuals, with the result that Defendant Nassar was
681. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendants’ negligent failure to supervise, Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and has sustained and continues to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
E. COUNT TWENTY-NINE
682. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
683. Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert knew or should have known that Defendant
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684. As early as 1992 and then again in 1998, Defendant Twistars, by a complaint made to its
constructive knowledge as to the dangerous conduct of Defendant Nassar and failed to act
685. Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert knew or should have known that Defendant
Nassar committed sexual assault, abuse, and molestation and/or was continuing to engage
in such conduct.
686. Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert had a duty to warn or protect Plaintiff and
687. The duty to disclose this information arose by the special, trusting, confidential, and
688. Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert breached said duty by failing to warn Plaintiff
and/or by failing to take reasonable steps to protect Plaintiff from Defendant Nassar.
689. Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert breached its duties to protect Plaintiff by
failing to detect and/or uncover evidence of sexual abuse and sexual assault, which was
690. Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert breached its duties to protect Plaintiff by
failing to investigate Defendant Nassar, adjudicate and suspend and/or ban Defendant
691. Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert failed to adequately screen, counsel, and/or
discipline Defendant Nassar for physical and/or mental conditions that might have rendered
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him unfit to discharge the duties and responsibilities of a physician with their organization,
692. Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert willfully refused to notify, give adequate
Nassar’s conduct.
693. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendants’ negligent failure to warn or protect,
Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage
and sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and has sustained and continues to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
F. COUNT THIRTY
694. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
695. From approximately 1992 to September 2016, Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert
represented to Plaintiff and the public that Defendant Nassar was a competent, ethical, and
safe physician.
696. By representing that Defendant Nassar was a team physician and athletic physician at
Defendant MSU and a National Team Physician with Defendant USAG, Defendant
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Twistars and Defendant Geddert represented to Plaintiff and the public that Defendant
Nassar was safe, trustworthy, of high moral and ethical repute, and that Plaintiff and the
697. The representations were false when they were made as Defendant Nassar had and was
continuing to sexually assault, abuse, and molest Plaintiff and an unknown number of
698. As early as 1992, Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert knew their representations
of Defendant Nassar were false as Defendant Twistars and Defendant Geddert received a
699. Between the time of the 1998 complaint and September 2016, Defendant Twistars and
Defendant Geddert continued to hold Defendant Nassar out as a competent and safe
physician.
700. Plaintiff relied on the assertions of Defendants Twistars and Defendant Geddert and several
Plaintiffs continued to seek treatment of Defendant Nassar in the wake of known concerns
and dangers.
701. Plaintiff was subjected to sexual assault, abuse, and molestation as a result of Defendant
Nassar.
702. As a direct and/or proximate result of Defendants’ fraud and misrepresentation, Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
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psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and has sustained and continues to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
A. COUNT THIRTY-ONE
703. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs
704. The acts committed by Defendant Nassar against Plaintiff described herein constitute
705. Defendant Nassar committed nonconsensual sexual acts which resulted in harmful or
706. Specifically, Defendant Nassar committed acts which caused injury to Plaintiff by
subjecting her to an imminent battery and/or intentional invasions of her right to be free
from offensive and harmful contact, and said conduct demonstrated that Defendant Nassar
had a present ability to subject Plaintiff to an immediate, intentional, offensive and harmful
touching.
707. Defendant Nassar assaulted and battered Plaintiff by nonconsensual and unwanted digital
vaginal penetration, digital anal penetration, touching, kissing and sucking of Plaintiff’s
708. Plaintiff did not consent to the contact, which caused injury, damage, loss, and/or harm.
709. As a direct and/or proximate result of the Defendant Nassar’s actions and/or inactions,
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Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage
and sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and has sustained and continues to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
710. In the alternative, the actions or inaction of Defendant Nassar was so reckless as to
demonstrate a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury would result to Plaintiff
and constitutes gross negligence that is the proximate cause of Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and has sustained and continues to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
B. COUNT THIRTY-TWO
INVASION OF PRIVACY
PLAINTIFF AGAINST DEFENDANT NASSAR AND THE MSU DEFENDANTS
711. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
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712. Defendant Nassar intruded upon Plaintiff’s seclusion or solitude by sexually assaulting,
713. Plaintiff’s genital area, breasts, and sexual activity are secret and private subject matters.
715. Plaintiff lost her virginity when Defendant Nassar sexually assaulted, abused, molested and
raped her.
716. Defendant Nassar videotaped these assaults, batteries and invasion of privacy.
717. Defendant Nassar’s method of sexually assaulting, abusing, molesting and raping Plaintiff
718. As a direct and/or proximate result of the Defendant’s actions and/or inactions, Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and has sustained and continues to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
719. In the alternative, the actions or inaction of the Defendant was so reckless as to demonstrate
a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury would result to Plaintiff and constitutes
gross negligence that is the proximate cause of Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff has suffered
and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and sequelae thereto,
pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations of emotional
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physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to be prevented from
performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment of life, and has
A. COUNT THIRTY-THREE
720. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs.
721. Michigan’s Child Protection Law, MCL 722.621 et seq., establishes mandatory reporting
guidelines for suspected child abuse or neglect and provides penalties for failure to report
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maltreatment, by a parent, a legal guardian, or any other person responsible for the child’s
722.622(g).
724. Child neglect is defined as “harm or threatened harm to a child’s health or welfare by a by
a parent, a legal guardian, or any other person responsible for the child’s health or welfare
that occurs through either of the following: (i) Negligent treatment, including the failure to
provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care. (ii) Placing a child at an
unreasonable risk to the child’s health or welfare by failure of the parent, legal guardian,
or any other person responsible for the child’s health or welfare to intervene to eliminate
that risk when that person is able to do so and has, or should have, knowledge of the risk.”
MCL 722.622(k).
725. Under MCL 722.633(1), “A person who is required by this act to report an instance of
suspected child abuse or neglect and who fails to do so is civilly liable for the damages
726. Defendants Klages, Strampel, Kovan, and Stollak were mandatory reporters during the
727. As established in the allegations above, Defendants Klages, Strampel, Kovan, and Stollak
728. Defendant Klages, Strampel, Kovan, and Stollak failed to report any instances of suspected
729. Defendants Klages, Strampel, Kovan, and Stollak are or were employed by Defendants
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Michigan State University and Michigan State University Board of Trustees during the
time Defendant Nassar was engaged in child abuse or child neglect and were acting in the
scope and course of their employment when they failed to report any instances of suspected
730. Defendants Klages, Strampel, Kovan, and Stollak are directly civilly liable for the damages
proximately caused by their failure to report any instances of suspected child abuse or
neglect. Defendants Michigan State University and Michigan State University Board of
731. As a direct and/or proximate result of the Defendants’ actions and/or inactions, Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and has sustained and continues to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
732. In the alternative, the actions or inaction of the Defendants were so reckless as to
demonstrate a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury would result to Plaintiff
and constitutes gross negligence that is the proximate cause of Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff
has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage and
sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical manifestations
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psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life and has sustained and continues to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
ACTION
733. Plaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference the allegations contained in the previous
paragraphs
734. As a or the direct and/or proximate result of Defendants’ conduct, actions, or inactions,
Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain and suffering, pregnancy and miscarriage
and sequelae thereto, pain of mind and body, shock, emotional distress, physical
psychological injuries, and physical injuries. Plaintiff was prevented and will continue to
be prevented from performing Plaintiff’s daily activities and obtaining the full enjoyment
of life, and has sustained and continues to sustain loss of earnings and earning capacity.
735. The conduct, actions and/or inactions of Defendants as alleged in the above stated counts
and causes of action constitute violations of Plaintiff’s Constitutional and Federal rights as
well as the common and/or statutory laws of the State of Michigan, and the United States
736. In whole or in part, as a result of some or all of the above actions and/or inactions of
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Defendants, Plaintiff has and continues to suffer irreparable harm as a result of the
violations.
737. The amount in controversy for each Plaintiff exceeds the jurisdictional minimum of
$75,000.00.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests this Court and the finder of fact to enter a Judgment in Plaintiff’s
favor against all named Defendants on all counts and claims as indicated above in an
amount consistent with the proofs of trial, and seeks against Defendants all appropriate
damages arising out of law, equity, and fact for each or all of the above counts where
applicable and hereby requests that the trier of fact, be it judge or jury, award Plaintiff all
applicable damages, including but not limited to compensatory, special, exemplary and/or
punitive damages, in whatever amount the Plaintiff is entitled, and all other relief arising
out of law, equity, and fact, also including but not limited to:
circumstances, by the trier of fact including, but not limited to medical expenses, loss of
Constitutional, Federal, and State rights, loss of social pleasure and enjoyment, and other
damages to be proved;
d) Other declaratory, equitable, and/or injunctive relief, including, but not limited to
and protection of young athletes and other individuals, as appears to be reasonable and just.
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Respectfully Submitted,
JURY DEMAND
Plaintiff, by and through her attorneys, McKeen and Associates, P.C., Krystal A.
Crittendon, Esq., and Merson Law, PLLC hereby demand a trial by jury on all claims set forth
above.
Respectfully Submitted,
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