Tasha Schwikert, 33, who competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, toldABC Newsthatformer USAG president Steve Pennycalled her in February 2017 — just before three former gymnasts spoke out about Nassar in a headline-making60 Minutesinterview.
“He contacted me at probably one of the most vulnerable times of my life,” Schwikert told ABC. She said that Penny abruptly asked whether Nassar had abused her and Schwikert, who caught off guard, replied, “No.”
However, Schwikert told the publication that Nassar has sexually abused her more than100 times at the Karolyi Ranchbeginning when she was 16 years old.
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She said Penny asked her to give him a statement about her “positive experience” with both Nassar and the organization, she told ABC. Although she did not speak well of Nassar, she signed a pre-drafted statement and, soon, thewords were shown in a tweetalongside a photo of her performing with a smile.
“I hadn’t even addressed or acknowledged my personal skeletons with Larry,” she told ABC. “I just felt indebted to [Penny]. Basically, because I was so vulnerable, he was able to manipulate me into just signing off on a statement that they drafted for me.”
Penny’s attorney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Schwikert’s statements come just days after Penny was arrested in Tennessee after he was indicted on charges of tampering with evidence in the case against Nassar. Penny resigned last March amid thesexual abuse scandal involving the former U.S. team doctor.
Earlier this year, Nassar wassentenced to more than 175 years in prisonfor sexually abusing women and girls for decades during his time at Michigan State University and as a USA Gymnastics doctor. Many victims said Nassar inserted ungloved fingers into their vaginas and told them he was simply giving them medical treatment.
Many of Nassar’s accusers have criticized USAG for allegedly enabling the child molester. Earlier this year, Raismanfiled a lawsuit against USAGand the U.S. Olympic Committee for allowing Nassar to keep his job while sexually abusing athletes.
Kerry Perry, who replaced Penny, also resigned in September over her handling of the Nassar scandal.
source: people.com
