Chrissy Teigen has offered to pay the $100,000 fine faced by Olympic gold-medal-winning gymnast McKayla Maroney if she speaks about abuse by disgraced USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.
In a lawsuit filed last month, Maroney alleges that USA Gymanstics paid her to keep quiet about the team’s long-time doctor, with her lawyers arguing that the organisation’s effort to keep her quiet is “an immoral and illegal attempt to silence a victim of child sexual abuse.”
It says that she was paid $1.25 million in December 2016, but in return, had to sign a non-disclosure agreement, which imposes a $100,000 fine is she speaks about her abuse.
Maroney said that she was in desperate need of the money due to her deteriorating psychological state and need for treatment as a result of the abuse.
Nassar pled guilty to seven counts of criminal sexual conduct in November last year, admitting that he used his position as a trusted medical professional to sexually abuse young girls in the gymnastics team.
At his sentencing, which begins on Tuesday and will run for several days, 88 victims and parents are scheduled to deliver victim impact statements. Over 140 people have accused Nassar of sexual abuse.
It’s not clear if Maroney will risk the fine and speak about her abuse, but in the meantime, Teigen has offered to front up the money.
“The entire principle of this should be fought – an NDA to stay quiet about this serial monster with over 140 accusers, but I would be absolutely honoured to pay this fine for you, McKayla,” she tweeted.
The entire principle of this should be fought – an NDA to stay quiet about this serial monster with over 140 accusers, but I would be absolutely honored to pay this fine for you, McKayla. pic.twitter.com/lsBEgEqZpD
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) January 16, 2018
More than 23,000 people have signed a petition started by three of Nassar’s victims – Olympic bronze medalist Jamie Dantzscher, three-time national champion Jessica Howard, and former USA National team member Jeanette Antolin – to replace the leadership at USA Gymnastics, accusing the organisation of a cover-up.
“The current leadership of USA Gymnastics failed in its responsibility to protect child athletes from sexual predators and failed to alert authorities to reports of sexual abuse as required by law,” it reads.
“Change is being made in the leadership in major companies when sex abuse survivors step forward and say, “#Metoo,” but this hasn’t happened yet in USA Gymnastics.
“USA Gymnastics Chairman Paul Parilla, Vice Chairman Jay Binder and Treasurer Bitsy Kelley have focused their attention on money and medals while USA Gymnastics is attempting to cover up the largest child sex abuse scandal in the history of sports. They must be replaced by people who will put the health and safety of athletes first.”
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, please call the National Child Abuse Helpline on 1800 99 10 99 or the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
