Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette held a press conference to give an update on his Michigan State University probe
“It has become abundantly clear that a full and complete investigation of what happened at Michigan State University from the president’s office down is required,” Schuette told reporters at a press conference in his office.
The Attorney General said the goal is to find out what MSU staff may have known about Nassar’s more than two decades of sexual misconduct and whether they attempted to hide this information.
“My department will find out … who knew what and when. What did or did not happen. And what should have happened,” Schuette said, adding that he’ll send a request to the university’s attorney seeking any information on an internal investigation into Nassar.
“Their response to this simple request will speak volumes about MSU’s willingness” to be involved and “their failure to do so will also speak volumes,” Schuette said.
Schuette on Friday for the first time confirmed his office is conducting an “ongoing investigation” into MSU’s handling of accusations against Nassar that date back decades.
He had previously said he would announce an investigation after Nassar’s Jan. 31 sentencing in an Eaton County case.
Full coverage: Larry Nassar abuse scandal
On Wednesday night, MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon resigned, empathizing with Nassar’s victims but also calling the tragedy “ politicized.” Athletic Director Dan Hollis retired on Friday.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is considering action against MSU’s leadership over the Larry Nassar scandal, his office said Friday, softening earlier claims he did not have the authority to intervene.
The administration is reviewing “options under the governor’s authority, if any,” she said, “as well as whether any action would interfere with the numerous investigations under way.”
The announcement of an “ongoing investigation” reflects an escalation by Schuette.
In February 2016, the attorney general told reporters at a Lansing press conference that prosecuting Nassar was the sole focus of his investigation, adding that any probe into what MSU staff may have known was the responsibility of the university’s attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald. The university told Schuette that Fitzgerald never produced a report of his investigation when he asked for a copy.
On Friday, Schuette said on WJR radio that his office has “had an ongoing investigation for some time now” but the more than 150 women who gave victim impact statements during Nassar’s sentencing hearing prompted him “to give an update of where we are” earlier than he had planned.
“No, I didn’t tiptoe around it,” Schuette said. “I wanted to make sure these women in Ingham County in front of Judge Aquilina had their day in court.”
On Wednesday, after more than 150 survivors made statements, an Ingham County Circuit judge sentenced Nassar to 40-175 years in prison.
Schuette told WJR “it’s been so messed up at MSU,” adding that “people in this state want to know what the heck happened, who knew what, who didn’t properly follow protocol or alert law enforcement, what have you.”
As The Detroit News reported last week, sexual assault allegations against Nassar reached at least 14 Michigan State University representatives over two decades. Simon learned of a Title IX complaint and police report against an unnamed sports doctor in 2014 but said she never received a copy.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is also investigating the university, and inquiries are planned in both Congress and the state Legislature.
mgerstein@detroitnews.com
