In Oct. 2017, former U.S. gymnast McKayla Maroney came forward claiming that she was molested multiple times by team doctor Larry Nassar. She was one of over 140 of his former patients who made similar claims. While USA Gymnastics seemed to stand behind the gymnast after her confession, a lawsuit filed by Maroney last month claimed that they actually forced her to sign a non-disclosure agreement for $1.25 million guaranteeing that she would no longer speak on the accusations against Nassar.
Upon hearing about this awful situation Maroney has been put in to keep quiet, Chrissy Teigen offered to pay the fine so that the Olympic gold medalist can also tell her story.
While Teigen offering to pay the fine is an incredible gesture, she also brings up the larger issue of how an NDA can even be placed on someone to prevent them from speaking out against a serial molester, or anyone committing an illegal act, in the first place. Maroney's former teammates Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, and most recently, Simone Biles. have also came forward with similar claims against Nassar.
Nassar is currently undergoing his criminal sentencing trial in Michigan after pleading guilty to seven counts of criminal sexual misconduct last November, and although dozens of women are telling their stories in the courtroom over the next four days, Maroney will not be one of them unless she pays a $100,000 fine.
According to CBS News, the Michigan attorney general's office is seeking at least 40 years in prison for Nassar on top of the 60 years he has already been sentenced to in federal prison for child pornography crimes.
