Sommers Schwartz attorney Lisa Esser-Weidenfeller filed a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of numerous female athletes who allege they were sexually assaulted by Larry Nassar, the former team physician for Michigan State University, USA Gymnastics (USAG) and Twistars, Inc.

The civil complaint was filed in Grand Rapids federal court. It names as defendants Michigan State University, the MSU Board of Trustees, USAG and Twistars. Claims were also filed against Larry Nassar; John Geddert; Kathy Klages; William D. Strampel, D.O.; Jeffrey R. Kovan, D.O.; Gary Stollak; Douglas Dietzel, D.O.; Brooke Lemmen, D.O.; Destiny Teachnor-Hauk; and Kristine Moore.

According to the filing, Nassar used his position of trust and confidence as a team physician to regularly and systematically sexually assault, batter, molest and harass the plaintiffs while he was an employee, agent and/or representative of MSU, USAG, and Twistars. The suit alleges that MSU and the other defendants fraudulently concealed Nasser’s actions and violated federal civil rights statutes, and seeks monetary, declaratory, injunctive and equitable relief for the injuries the plaintiffs suffered as a result of the defendants’ negligent and willful acts and omissions.

Larry Nassar is currently in prison. He pleaded guilty to federal child pornography charges. Later, he pleaded guilty in Ingham County and Eaton County to sexually abusing female athletes during his tenure at Michigan State University and while he was a team physician for USAG and Twistars.