Disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar stabbed multiple times at Florida federal prison, AP sources say

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Larry Nassar, the infamous sports doctor who was found guilty of sexually assaulting numerous female Olympic and college gymnasts, has been stabbed multiple times at a federal prison in Florida. This facility has been grappling with staffing issues, leading to concerns about inmate safety.

The assault occurred at the United States Penitentiary Coleman on Sunday, with Nassar reported to be in a stable condition by Monday, according to individuals who are privy to the situation. They informed The Big Big News that Nassar had been stabbed in his back and chest. They also noted that the two officers guarding Nassar’s unit had been working overtime due to staffing deficiencies at the prison.

Further information about the attack and subsequent investigation is yet to be disclosed as the sources requested anonymity due to their lack of authorization to publicly comment on the matter.

Nassar is currently serving a lengthy sentence for numerous sexual assault convictions brought against him in state and federal courts. He admitted to abusing athletes while working at Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics in Indianapolis. Nassar also pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse images in a separate case.

The federal Bureau of Prisons has been struggling with significant staffing shortages for several years, an issue which gained prominence following financier Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide at a federal jail in New York in 2019. A 2021 Big Big News investigation found that about one-third of federal correctional officer positions were vacant nationwide, causing prisons to rely on non-security staff to guard inmates. Such staffing deficits have impeded the response to emergencies, including suicides, in multiple prisons.

Additional investigations by the AP have shed light on sexual abuse, criminal activities, and other issues within the Bureau of Prisons. Despite efforts by Colette Peters, the Bureau’s new leader, to reform hiring practices and increase transparency since her appointment last year, problems continue to plague the agency.

It was reported that one of the officers in Nassar’s unit had been on duty for three consecutive shifts, equating to a 16-hour day, whilst the other officer was on their second straight shift.

The first woman to publicly accuse Nassar, Rachael Denhollander, expressed on Twitter that none of the victims she spoke with were celebrating Nassar’s assault. Similarly, Sarah Klein, another victim, voiced her concerns that the incident was forcing her and others to re-experience their trauma.

Nassar was sentenced in 2018 after more than 150 women and girls testified that he had sexually abused them under the pretense of medical treatment. Moreover, more than 100 women, including Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, are collectively seeking over $1 billion in damages from the federal government due to the FBI’s failure to act against Nassar after they were alerted to allegations against him in 2015.

Several institutions, including Michigan State University, USA Gymnastics, and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, have settled for hundreds of millions of dollars with Nassar’s victims. Despite his appeal for a new hearing being rejected by the Michigan Supreme Court in 2022, Nassar’s case continues to elicit considerable public interest and debate.

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More about Larry Nassar Assaulted

• Larry Nassar Case Overview
• United States Penitentiary Coleman
• Sexual abuse in American gymnastics
• Bureau of Prisons Staffing Issues
• Victims’ Reactions to Nassar’s Assault
• Legal Consequences of Nassar’s Crimes