The Larry Nassar case has made headlines in every state across the nation, and even in other countries. In part, this is because of the number of alleged victims involved. However, the primary reason is likely because of Nassar’s status as a nationally renowned sports doctor from Michigan State University, and the team physician for the U.S. Olympic gymnastics teams.
Thus far, police, prosecutors and even the attorney general’s office have been involved in every aspect of this case. But Michigan lawmakers say that there is one area that hasn’t been addressed and it is cause for concern – Michigan State University. According to several state Senators and House Reps, they are concerned about the fact that MSU allowed this abuse to continue, and are now not being held accountable.
According to the Lansing State Journal, they spoke with numerous lawmakers who all expressed concerns about how the university handled what appears to be a long history of reported abuses. This same issue has been raised many times by the alleged victims themselves and by their attorneys. The problem here, they all say, is that the university is accountable only to itself, which provides no incentive to properly investigate allegations of crimes within its own ranks.
Since September of 2016, Michigan State University in East Lansing has opened no less than five internal inquiries into Nassar’s conduct, all of which were closed once the findings revealed that he hadn’t violated MSU’s relationship violence and sexual misconduct policy. This doesn’t change the opinions of the alleged victim, however. Many of them are suing the university for failure to protect them from a predator.
According to several state senators and representatives that the LSJ reached out to, the Michigan Constitution gives all authority over universities to elected boards of trustees. Lawmakers have no say. Although the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights is able to insist on the university making reforms, in this case there is no open investigation into MSU’s conduct in the matter.
Which means that the university is impervious to legislative power
There is currently a federal lawsuit against MSU, Larry Nassar and USA Gymnastics, with more than 78 women named as claimants and five separate law firms representing clients. The women and girls involved in the lawsuit all claim to have been sexually assaulted or sexually abused by Nassar at some point in the past. Some were gymnasts who sought help from Nassar during his time as the team physician, while others sought him out as a sports doctor through MSU.
The criminal investigation into the allegations against Nassar is currently being handled by the MSU Police Department, who report directly to the university president. A fact which has led several to question just how vigorously this case is being pursued. Another issue raised by the LSJ article is the fact that MSU’s administrative internal inquiry is being helped by at least one attorney who is also defending the university in the civil lawsuits.
As it stands, Nassar has been accused by more than 80 girls and women of sexual assault and other sex crimes. However, he hasn’t been found guilty of any crime. We would like to remind our readers that, under the Unites States Constitution, being accused of a crime doesn’t make a person guilty. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and everyone is entitled to a vigorous defense. We will keep watching this case, and providing you with updates as it develops.
The Kronzek Firm has decades of experience helping clients with sex assault cases. Our criminal defense attorneys have represented defendants from all over Michigan when they faced charges of criminal sexual conduct. Likewise, we have obtained judgments against perpetrators of sexual assault on behalf of their victims. Our sex crime attorneys are available 24/7 to assist people in Michigan. The Kronzek Firm can be reached at 1 866-766-5245.