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USA Gymnastics says it will not fine McKayla Maroney if she speaks out against Larry Nassar

McKayla Maroney signed a nondisclosure agreement in December 2016, agreeing to stay quiet about the abuse she experienced as part of a $1.25 million settlement with USA Gymnastics.
McKayla Maroney stands on the podium with her silver medal during the medal ceremony following the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Vault final on on August 5, 2012 during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

USA Gymnastics said Tuesday evening it will not pursue any money from McKayla Maroney if she speaks publicly about alleged abuse.

In a statement to USA TODAY Sports, the organization said it has not and will not seek retribution if Maroney speaks out or shares a statement regarding her alleged abuse at the hands of former team doctor Larry Nassar, who is being sentenced this week in Lansing, Mich., on seven counts of sexual assault.

The statement reads in full:

"USA Gymnastics has not sought and will not seek any money from McKayla Maroney for her brave statements made in describing her victimization and abuse by Larry Nassar, nor for any victim impact statements she wants to make to Larry Nassar at this hearing or at any subsequent hearings related to his sentencing. This has been her right and USA Gymnastics encourages McKayla and anyone who has been abused to speak out. USA Gymnastics remains focused on our highest priority — the safety, health and well-being of our athletes and creating a culture that empowers and supports them."

Maroney, who first shared her story via Twitter, signed a nondisclosure agreement in December 2016, agreeing to stay quiet about the abuse she experienced as part of a $1.25 million settlement with USA Gymnastics, part of which she said would be used for psychological treatment.

Earlier Tuesday, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model and TV personality Chrissy Teigen offered to pay the $100,000 fine Maroney would incur if she chose to speak publicly.

Teigen 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."

Maroney is suing USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic Committee and Michigan State University, where Nassar also served, claiming the nondisclosure agreement she signed was illegal.

Maroney claims in her lawsuit filed last month that USA Gymnastics tried to prevent her from publicly accusing Nassar of sexual abuse in order to allow him to quietly leave USA Gymnastics and "further silencing his victims." In the lawsuit filed to Los Angeles Superior Court, Maroney alleges she was forced to sign a confidentiality agreement as part of the financial settlement she needed to pay for psychological treatment.

USA Gymnastics said last month that the settlement terms from the 2016 agreement were initially not drawn up by its lawyers but rather by Maroney's attorney.

Nassar, who pleaded guilty in November to criminal sexual conduct, is being sentenced this week in Lansing, Mich., on seven sexual assault charges. The sentencing began Tuesday and is expected to conclude Friday. Nassar faces up to a life sentence, with a minimum of 25 to 40 years in prison.

He already has been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison on child pornography charges.

During this week's sentencing, many of his alleged victims are reading impact statements.

Simone Biles on Monday shared on Twitter and Instagram that she also was a victim of sexual abuse by Nassar. She joined fellow Olympic gold medalists Maroney, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas, who previously had shared their stories of abuse.

Contributing: Scott Gleeson

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