Michigan State University makes $500 million settlement payment following Larry Nassar scandal

There is no disputing that former USA gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar is a controversial figure in the sports world. The disgraced physician is serving a 40 to 175 year sentence after 150 women and girls came forward to testify in court earlier this year against him. These women claimed that Nassar had sexually abused them over the past two decades.

It was a contentious trial that became heated at times, but Judge Rosemarie Aquilina sided with the victims saying to Nassar during his sentencing, "I've just signed your death warrant. I find that you don't get it, that you're a danger. That you remain a danger."

Nassar molested and assaulted athletes using his trusted medical position as a guise. Some of these sexual assaults took place during his time at USA Gymnastics and others while he was employed at Michigan State University.

As part of a settlement, MSU agreed to pay $500 million to survivors of Nassar’s assaults. The funds will be broken down in two segments.

A total of $425 million being paid to current claimants and $75 million to be put inside of a trust fund to protect any future claimants alleging sexual abuse from Nassar.

On Tuesday, Michigan State announced payment was completed into the settlement fund. “Making the payment on this settlement is an important step for the university, but it is not the only way MSU is accountable to those harmed,” said Interim President John Engler in a press release.

“The entire campus is focused on implementing the improvements we’ve made in health care practices, reporting policies, campus-wide sexual assault education and prevention efforts and trauma-informed responses and treatment for survivors.”

A good first step for a university haunted by one of the most diaboloical scandals in recent memory.