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Sexual abuse survivor says Michigan State is still billing her for Larry Nassar visits

Emma Ann Miller, 15, and her mother face disgraced former USA Gymnastics team Dr. Larry Nassar in court. (Reuters)
Emma Ann Miller, 15, and her mother face disgraced former USA Gymnastics team Dr. Larry Nassar in court. (Reuters)

Disgraced former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar’s sentencing entered its fifth day in a Michigan courtroom on Monday, when the number of sexual assault survivor impact statements eclipsed 100, and among the morning’s powerful speakers was 15-year-old Emma Ann Miller.

Miller was not shaken by Nassar’s presence, informing Circuit Judge Rosemarie Aquilina and the courtroom that — one year after USA Gymnastics reportedly fired Nassar amid complaints of abuse and one week before Michigan State University did the same — she may have been the doctor’s final victim. Miller then turned her focus to MSU Sports Medicine, where Nassar was employed until September of 2016.

That’s right: Miller, standing beside her mother, told the court that the state university’s clinic is still billing them for the appointments during which she was allegedly abused — all while at least 14 MSU employees reportedly knew of Nassar’s behavior as early as 1997. And Miller did not stop there.

Miller implored Nassar to come forward with information about who knew what and when, specifically citing fellow survivor Larissa Boyce, the 89th and final victim to speak last week. Boyce said on Friday that she and several teammates informed former MSU gymnastics coach Kathie Klages of Nassar’s abuse in 1997. “Instead of being protected,” she said, “I was humiliated and told I was the problem.”

“Are you listening MSU?” Miller’s statement began on Monday. “I can’t hear you. Are you listening? My name is Emma Ann MIller, and I’m 15 years old. And I’m not afraid of you, nor will I ever be.”

After the profound statements from Aly Raisman and dozens of others last week, we should not be surprised by the strength of these survivors, but for a 15-year-old facing a man who sexually abused her 17 months earlier to do so with such clarity when so many adults at MSU could not is remarkable.

Finally, Miller left Nassar with one more message …

… before asking the judge to give him the maximum 125-year sentence.

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Ben Rohrbach is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at rohrbach_ben@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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