Former world champion latest to file abuse suit

US Olympic Committee spokesman Patrick Sandusky said in a statement that Nassar's "reprehensible behavior" has no place "in our Olympic and Paralympic community" and that the organization "has made significant progress to strengthen protections for athletes, and we recognize that our work is never done."

The Houston Chronicle reported the Karolyis had quietly filed a lawsuit last month in Huntsville against USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic Committee, seeking more than $1 million in damages.

The lawsuit says the couple didn't know about Nassar's "reprehensible conduct" and would have reported it if there had been any suspicions about him.

In an interview with Dateline NBC that aired last month, Martha Karolyis said she feels for Nassar's victims but that she doesn't believe she should be held responsible for his actions.

Vega's lawsuit is the third to be filed against the Karolyis.

More than 250 women and girls say Nassar, who worked for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University, sexually assaulted them under the guise of treatment.

He's now serving up to 175 years in prison for molesting women and girls and possessing child pornography.

Several gymnasts have said Nassar abused them at the ranch, which served as the training ground for US women's gymnastics.

Vega alleges in her suit the Karolyis allowed Nassar to enter the cabins of female gymnasts alone and unsupervised to perform his training techniques.

The ranch is being investigated by the Texas Rangers and the Walker County Sheriff's Office. USA Gymnastics cut ties with the ranch in January.

Vega's lawsuit is the second filed in Texas in the last few weeks related to the abuse scandal. Last month, Rebecca Whitehurst, a former Texas gymnast who had been a member of the USA Gymnastics team, filed suit in Houston against USA Gymnastics, alleging Nassar abused her in 1996 when she was 15 years old.

Associated Press