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part 3

Denhollander finally came forward in August 2016 after she read an Indianapolis Star expose on USA Gymnastics' alleged mishandling of sexual-abuse allegations.

Nassar wasn't mentioned in the Star's August 2016 report. But Denhollander thought the investigation offered an opportunity to bring Nassar to justice.

She contacted the Indianapolis Star and the police, which led to a Sept. 12 news story which Denhollander and another woman, a former Olympic medalist, detailed their alleged abuse by Nassar. The story sparked a flood of criminal and civil complaints from other Nassar patients.

To date, at least 50 women have filed criminal complaints, which are being investigated by MSU police and the Michigan Attorney General's office, and at least 26 women have filed lawsuits. There are also 10 Title IX complaints against MSU. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on gender, and in part, requires schools that take federal funds to take immediate action to address sexual violence.

18 more sue doctor, MSU, USA gymnastics

A lawsuit filed claims institutional failures perpetuated Larry Nassar's access to the young females he is accused of abusing.

Simon said in her message that MSU is conducting a internal review, and complying with law enforcement requests.

"While the investigations continue, one fact appears clear. Based on the dozens of criminal complaints made against Nassar to MSU Police and the criminal charges brought against him by the Michigan Attorney General and federal U.S. Attorney's Office, Nassar abused the trust of his patients and his professional responsibility as a physician," she wrote.

"At this point, Larry Nassar has more victims than Jerry Sandusky," the abuser in the Penn State case, alleged John Manly, one of the attorneys working with 20 of Nassar's accusers, Sandusky was convicted of 45 counts of sexual conduct related to 10 victims; and Penn State has paid settlements to 33 victims who filed civil complaints.

Manly said it's not just Nassar who needs to answer for what happened.

"This was all avoidable, if someone had just taken action back in 1997 when this was first reported," Manly said.

"When you've got a 17- or 18-year-old girl telling coaches and trainers that a doctor is putting his hand inside her vagina for 30 to 40 minutes without a glove or lubrication, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure you that you need to report that," he said.

'Top of his profession'

Nassar first became an athletic trainer while attending North Farmington High School, where he graduated in 1981.

In this July 15, 2008, file photo, Larry Nassar, D.O., or Doctor of Osteopathy, works with a patient in East Lansing, MI. (Becky Shink/Lansing State Journal via AP, File)

He was especially drawn to gymnasts. "What they did with their bodies and what they went through was amazing to me," he said in a 2012 story in Greater Lansing Sport magazine.

Nassar received his kinesiology degree from University of Michigan in 1985; graduated from MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1993; and did a four-year residency in family and sports medicine at St. Lawrence Hospital in Lansing.

Meanwhile, Nassar began volunteering with USA Gymnastics in 1986, starting out as an athletic trainer for the U.S. national team. He filled similar roles for MSU football and at Twistars.

In 1996, Nassar, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, was named chief medical coordinator for USA Gymnastics and became the team doctor for U.S. gymnasts at the Olympics in Atlanta. It was still unpaid, volunteer work, but the experience and exposure were priceless.

Nassar "may be young, but he's just risen to the top of his profession," MSU said in a 1996 press release.

When he finished his residency in 1997, Nassar joined the MSU faculty, an appointment that included teaching, seeing patients at MSU's sports-medicine clinics and serving as team doctor to various MSU athletic teams, primarily women's gymnastics and crew.

"He is eager and dynamic and appears to have exceptional interpersonal skills," said a memo recommending his appointment from his MSU personnel file. "He is well-known and respected nationally and internationally in the field of Sports Medicine."

Nassar's MSU personnel file, obtained by MLive under the Freedom of Information Act, shows Nassar continued to get high marks over the next 20 years.

A 2013 job evaluation noted his dedication, compassion, and "tireless commitment" to his specialty within the gymnastic community.

Six times, Nassar was voted National Contributor of the Year by the Elite Gymnastics Coaches Association. In 2012, he received the Alumnus of the Year Award from the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. He was lauded for starting a gymnastic program for autistic children.

Nassar also was a high-profile community figure, especially in Holt, where he lived with his wife, a physician assistant, and their three children. Nassar taught catechism classes at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in East Lansing, was team doctor at Holt High School and ran for the Holt school board this past fall.

After Nassar was fired in September, he sent an email to his supervisor at MSU.

"I am so sorry that this situation has been so public in the media casting such a shadow over myself and MSU," Nassar wrote. "I understand your position and appreciate all the support you have given me. My heart is breaking but I will stay strong in my Faith and with the support of my family and my friends I will overcome this."

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This looks very bad