Former US gymnast calls for ‘follow-up’ after Larry Nassar hearing

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The testimony of Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman and Maggie Nichols came after a report by the Department of Justice Inspector General released in July revealed that FBI officials were investigating allegations of sexual abuse by Nassar, the disgraced former US gymnastics team doctor, had violated agency policies by making false statements and failing to properly document accusers’ complaints. The report stated that although the FBI was aware of the allegations against Nassar, the Indianapolis field office “did not notify state or local authorities of the allegations and did not take any action to mitigate the risk to gymnasts. Nassar continued to treat “.

Howard, who is a survivor of Nassar’s abuse, appeared on CNN’s “Newsroom” on Wednesday after being visibly shaken throughout Wednesday’s testimony where her fellow athletes detailed the abuse they faced. Howard said the hardest part for her now is that Nassar, who is serving decades in prison, was able to assault over 100 new victims “as these men knew what was going on and were discussing how to to avoid it, to promote yourself, and there is simply no more basic level of corruption. ”

Takeaways from the Senate hearing into the FBI's failures to investigate gymnasts charges against Nassar

She expressed disappointment at the failure of the Justice Department to prosecute and appear at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

“I feel, even to me as an adult, as if they are saying, ‘Child sexual abuse is not an important issue for us. We will not act. And we’ll put that aside until the media crumbles. And we “I’ll see if we go to prosecution. They have evidence. They have witnesses, they have victims. They have everything they need to prosecute the individuals who made this possible,” Howard told CNN.

She continued, “The absence of the Justice Department today shows us that this is still in question.”

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal also called on the Justice Department to be a “no-show” at the hearing. “The Department of Justice did not appear. They have the ultimate responsibility for the FBI, prosecution and actions here,” said the Connecticut Democrat.

When asked to comment, Department of Justice spokesman Anthony Coley referred to the opening remarks of the President of the Judiciary, Dick Durbin, during Wednesday’s hearing. Durbin said the committee asked the ministry to testify, adding: “I understand that it is a long-standing ministry policy not to comment on decisions not to prosecute, but strong oversight from the Justice Department is required. an essential responsibility (of) this committee “.

He continued, “I am committed to ensuring that committee members have an opportunity to question the Department of Justice on this matter and at a fall watch hearing.”

Attorney General Merrick Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco are scheduled to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee in October, which could be the first opportunity for lawmakers to question them publicly about the Nassar inquiry, a senior official told CNN of the Ministry of Justice.

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