Tiffany Lopez has sued Larry Nassar for serial sexual assaults spanning three collegiate years which cut short her career at Michigan State
Lopez in her lawsuit says she went to Nassar, a nationally recognized osteopathic physician at the time, for treatment of chronic lower back pain starting in 1998. Instead, Nassar sexually abused her during her visits more than 10 times over the course of three years, using an exam he called “inter-vaginal adjustments.”
Lopez alleges in her lawsuit that she informed three separate Michigan State athletic trainers about Nassar’s actions, which included “[touching] her vagina” and, when he “became more bold,” having her “remove her pants, and then inserting his bare, ungloved and unlubricated hand into her vagina.”
When Lopez refused to continue her visits with Nassar in 2001, according to the lawsuit, the university coerced her into declaring herself medically inactive and ending her playing career. Soon after, the standout softball player left Michigan State and went back home to California.
“They told me he was a world-renowned physician. What they did not tell me is that he was a serial molester and pedophile,” Lopez said at a news conference Wednesday. “I feel guilty. Not because I did anything wrong, but because I was not able to come forward sooner to help other girls.”
Rachel Denhollander one of two former gymnasts who allege sexual abuse by longtime USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. She filed a criminal complaint in Michigan, last August. Denhollander filed a criminal complaint against Nassar two weeks ago with Michigan State University Police, alleging the doctor sexually assaulted her when she received treatment for lower back pain as a 15-year-old club-level gymnast in 2000. University officials confirmed that police are conducting a criminal investigation.
She said Nassar gradually became more abusive over five treatments, massaging her genitals, penetrating her vagina and anus with his finger and thumb and unhooking her bra and massaging her breasts. She said she also relayed those details to police.
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