Massachusetts

‘The Tables Have Turned Larry': Aly Raisman Speaks at Larry Nassar's Sentencing Hearing

Olympic gold medalist and Needham, Massachusetts native Aly Raisman was among the dozens of athletes who gave powerful impact statements Friday in a Michigan courtroom ahead of the sentencing of disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar.

In her court statement, Raisman charged that Team USA Gymnastics "turned a blind eye" on Nassar's conduct.

The 54-year-old Nassar spent nearly 20 years as the team doctor for the U.S. women's elite program, often working with athletes one-on-one.

Raisman was the fifth member from the 2012 "Fierce Five" team to come forward, joining McKayla Maroney, Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles with accusations against Nassar.

Raisman spoke directly to Nassar in her statement.

"Larry, you do realize this group of women you heartlessly abused over such a long period of time are now a force and you are nothing," said Raisman, looking directly at him. "The tables have turned Larry, we are here, we have our voices, and we are not going anywhere."

Raisman had tweeted that she wouldn't attend the sentencing the other day but said in court that once she started listening to the impact statements, she changed her mind.

"It wasn't until I started watching the impact statements from the other brave survivors that I realized I too, needed to be here," Raisman said.

Nassar, 54, faces a minimum sentence of 25 to 40 years in prison for molesting girls at Michigan State University and his home. He also was a team doctor at Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians. He's already been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for child pornography crimes.

On Jan. 31, Nassar will get another sentence for sexual assaults at a Lansing-area gymnastics club in a different county.

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