The U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday agreed to pay $138.7 million to 139 victims of sexual assault as compensation for the lacklustre manner in which the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) handled sexual abuse accusations against Lawrence Nassar, a former doctor on the American Gymnastics team.

The settlement deal was a form of admission by the DOJ that its laxity to take seriously the allegations raised in 2015 against Mr Nassar emboldened him to abuse more victims.

Hundreds of young ladies, including medal-winning gymnasts, had accused Mr Nassar of sexually abusing them under the guise of medical examination, but FBI officials, albeit aware, were reluctant to investigate the allegations, an internal report stated.

Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer said that while the settlements “could not undo the harm” on the victims, they could give them the “critical support” needed to heal from the traumatic abusive experience.

“These allegations should have been taken seriously from the outset,” Mr Mizer said in reaction to the compensation. “While these settlements won’t undo the harm Nassar inflicted, our hope is that they will help give the victims of his crimes some of the critical support they need to continue healing.” 

Mick Grewal, a lawyer who represented 44 abuse complainants, echoed Mr Mizer’s sentiments and asserted that “no amount of money” could fully restore what had been lost. He expressed optimism that the money would serve as a reminder to the DOJ not to take any sexual accusations lightly.

“These women were assaulted because of the F.B.I.’s failure, and there is no amount of money that will make them whole again,” Mr Grewal said. “Their goal with all this was to make sure that this never happens again.”