LANSING, Mich. – Doctor Larry Nassar is charged with taking advantage of several young female athletes while he worked for Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics.
There is a criminal case against Nassar, and then there are all the lawsuits from the women accusing him of sexual abuse.
The number of women accusing the former United States and Michigan State University gymnastics team doctor is now more than 100. They all are claiming some form of sexual abuse.
Court documents list 84 former patients as plaintiffs. Another 19 women have filed notice of intent to file a legal claim.
READ: 20 more women join federal lawsuit against former MSU Dr. Larry Nassar
But those lawsuits are separate from the criminal case against Nassar. He's charged with criminal sexual conduct. The victims are claiming abuse usually by digital penetration. They say Nassar would abuse them during exams, either at Michigan State or during his tenure as a doctor for the USA Gymnastics team.
Nassar's defense attorneys asked the judge to stop the women and girls who say Nassar sexually assaulted them from publicly talking about any case involving the former Michigan State doctor.
Nassar's attorneys say the accusers are potential witnesses in a criminal trial and the public comments "have eviscerated Nassar's ability to have a fair trial."
There already is an order banning Attorney General Bill Schuette and others involved in the criminal case not to comment publicly. This would be an extension to the civil cases.
If found guilty on the criminal charges Nassar could spend 25 years in prison.
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