U.S. team doctor Nassar pleads guilty to additional sexual conduct charges

Nassar, 54, appeared in Michigan's Eaton County Circuit Court and pleaded guilty to three felony counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct.

U.S. team doctor Nassar pleads guilty to additional sexual conduct charges

(Reuters)





He did not make a statement beyond briefly answering the judge's questions, according to The Detroit News. Nassar's attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Nassar was the team physician for the Michigan State University gymnastics and women's crew teams, as well as an associate professor at MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine. He served as the USA Gymnastics physician through four Olympic Games.

Last week, Nassar pleaded guilty in nearby Ingham County to seven felony counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct despite his earlier denials of wrongdoing..

Wednesday's guilty pleas put an end to criminal sexual conduct charges brought by the Michigan Attorney General's office against Nassar in Eaton and Ingham counties.

The Eaton County sentencing hearing will be held on Jan. 31.

The Ingham County sentencing hearing will be held on Jan. 12 when all of the 125 reported victims or their parents will be allowed to give victim impact statements.

Last week's plea deal with prosecutors calls for a minimum prison sentence of 25 years but the judge could set the minimum as high as 40 years.

Nassar's plea deal follows claims by two of the United States' most decorated gymnasts, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas, that they had been sexually abused by the former USA Gymnastics team doctor.

Three-times Olympic gold medallist Douglas earlier this month said she was sexually abused by Nassar while Raisman, also a three-times gold medallist, made similar allegations in an interview with CBS News programme "60 Minutes."

During the Nov. 22 hearing, Nassar apologised and said it was time for his victims to begin healing, The Detroit News reported.





(Reporting by Rory CarrollEditing by Marguerita Choy)


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U.S. team doctor Nassar pleads guilty to additional sexual conduct charges | SBS News