McKayla Maroney will not be forced to hand over a six-figure penalty payment to USA Gymnastics should she decide to speak at the sentencing of Larry Nassar this week.
This revelation comes in the wake of massive public support for the gymnast after model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen posted a DailyMail.com headline on her Twitter account on Tuesday.
After reading that McKayla could be forced to pay a $100,000 fine to USA Gymnastics due to a condition of the $1.25 million settlement the Gold-medal winning gymnast received from the organization in 2016, Teigen said she would cover the expense for the sexual abuse victim.
‘USA Gymnastics has not sought and will not seek any money from McKayla Maroney for her brave statements made in describing her victimization and abuse by Larry Nassar, nor for any victim impact statements she wants to make to Larry Nassar at this hearing or at any subsequent hearings related to his sentencing,’ the organization said in a statement on Tuesday night.
‘This has been her right and USA Gymnastics encourages McKayla and anyone who has been abused to speak out. USA Gymnastics remains focused on our highest priority — the safety, health and well-being of our athletes and creating a culture that empowers and supports them.’

NDA no more: Support from Chrissy Teigen (left) and other celebs has lifted an NDA imposed on McKayla Maroney (right) by USA Gymnastics

Helping hand: After DailyMail.com released details of Maroney’s NDA on Tuesday, Teigen and others said they would pay Maroney’s fine for her if she spoke (Teigen’s tweet above)

Monster: Eighty-eight women are scheduled to read victim impact statements at the sentencing, which began on Tuesday (Nassar above in court on Tuesday)
Teigen tweeted on Tuesday: ‘The entire principle of this should be fought – an NDA to stay quiet about this serial monster with over 140 accusers, but I would be absolutely honored to pay this fine for you, McKayla.’
Within just a few hours, Hollywood A-listers including Parks and Recreation creator Mike Schur and Kristen Bell also posted tweets promising to fund any fines that might be incurred by McKayla.
The groundswell of support was a welcome surprise for the gymnast, who said: ‘I’m shocked by your generosity, and I just want you to know how much hope your words bring to all of us! I just can’t get over the fact that someone I don’t personally know is sticking up for me, let alone a strong women that I’ve looked up to for years!’
Maroney, who was a member of the Fierce Five squad who took home Gold at the 2012 London Games, revealed in a lawsuit filed last month that she received $1.25 million from the organization in December 2016.
The two-time world-champion vaulter, 22, agreed to sign a non-disclosure agreement as part of the deal, which imposes a $100,000 fine should she ever speak about Nassar or the abuse she suffered at the heads of the disgraced doctor.
Maroney, who was represented by Gloria Allred when she accepted that settlement, said that she was in desperate need of the money due to her deteriorating psychological state and need for treatment as a result of the abuse she suffered at the hands of Nassar.
She said at one point she was even thought about taking her own life.
She is now suing USA Gymnastics – with her legal team arguing that it was illegal for USA Gymnastics to make Maroney sign a clause demanding her silence about her molestation.
Eighty-eight women are currently delivering victim impact statements at Nassar’s sentencing, which began Tuesday and will run through Friday.

Victim: Maroney received a $1.25 million settlement from USA Gymnastics in December 2016 after being sexually abused by team doctor Larry Nassar (pictured: Maroney and Nassar)

Disgrace: Maroney was forced to sign an NDA that imposes a $100,000 penalty on her should she ever speak about the sexual abuse (Maroney with fellow victims and teammates Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman)
Maroney is one of four women who competed in the past two Olympic Games that have come forward to reveal they were molested by Nassar, along with Aly Raisman, Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas.
The athlete first broke the terms of her agreement with USA Gymnastics when she shared a post on her Twitter account back in October.
It was during the #MeToo campaign last month when Maroney shared her story, claiming Nassar began abusing her when she 13, and that the assaults did not stop until she left the sport just last year at the age of 20.

Maroney (above) is now suing USA Gymnastics, the US Olympic Committee and Michigan State University claiming the NDA she signed was illegal
‘Dr. Nassar told me that I was receiving “medically necessary treatment that he had been performing on patients for over 30 years”,’ Maroney, 21, said of her abuse in a social media post.
‘It seemed whenever and wherever this man could find the chance, I was “treated.” It happened in London before my team and I won the gold medal, and It happened before I won my silver.’
Maroney also detailed what she said was the worst incident back in 2011 during a trip to Tokyo.
She claimed that on the way to the world championship that year Nassar gave her a sleeping pill and she awoke to find him performing a ‘treatment’ on her in the hotel.
‘I thought I was going to die that night,’ wrote Maroney.
She was just 15 at the time.
Soon after she shared her story her teammates from the 2012 Games all voiced their support on social media, with Raisman posting a photo of herself and Maroney hugging with a heart emoji.
Raisman also wrote: ”100% support you. SO proud of you and your strength. Love you like a sister!!’

Group shot: Maroney is also claiming the three organizations did nothing to prevent Nassar from abusing young women despite years of complaints

Despicable: Maroney could potentially be fined by USA Gymnastics should she speak at Nassar’s sentencing this week (Nassar above on Tuesday)
USA Gymnastics said last month that the settlement terms were not drawn up by their lawyers but rather by Maroney’s attorney.
‘Contrary to reports, the concept of confidentiality was initiated by McKayla’s attorney, not USA Gymnastics. USA Gymnastics cannot speak to the mediation process, which is confidential and privileged under California law,’ said USA Gymnastics in a statement.
‘The process culminated in a settlement agreement that included a mutual nondisclosure clause and a mutual nondisparagement clause.’
The US Olympic Committee and Nassar former employer, Michigan State University, are also named in the suit.
‘We are heartbroken that this abuse occurred, proud of the brave victims that have come forward and grateful that our criminal justice system has ensured that Nassar will never be able to harm another young woman,’ said the USOC, who claim they were not involved in the settlement.
‘I want people to understand that this kid had no choice. She couldn’t function. She couldn’t work,’ said Maroney’s attorney John Manly.
‘It takes tremendous courage to publicly disclose it, knowing that any day there could be a process server at her door.’