Officials suspend investigation into Michigan State’s handling of complaints against Nassar

Michigan State Attorney General Dana Nessel suspended the nearly two-year-long criminal investigation into Michigan State University’s handling of complaints against convicted sexual abuser Larry Nassar, The Associated Press reported.

The investigation resulted in charges against three former school officials. Former Michigan State Dean William Strampel was sentenced to a year in prison in August after being convicted of misconduct in office and willful neglect of duty.

Two other officials, including the school’s former president, Lou Anna Simon, were ordered to trial and their cases will continue, the AP reported.

It is not clear if the investigation will resume. Investigators have requested that the university waive attorney-client privilege on over 6,000 documents related to Nassar’s abuse, and they hope to interview former interim President John Engler, Nessel spokeswoman Kelly Rossman-McKinney said, according to AP.

The school’s governing board received blowback earlier this year after canceling a previously promised review of sexual assaults committed by Nassar, who worked as a campus sports physician and also for the Olympic organization USA Gymnastics.

The school’s trustees have been divided over whether to release the documents, with some worried that the move would risk the university’s lawsuit against insurers to help fund a $500 million payout to victims as well as legal costs.   

Rachel Denhollander, a former gymnast and the first woman to publicly accuse Nassar, called on the school to release the documents “now,” saying they may contain further new information. 

“We appreciate all the time and hard work the Attorney General’s office has put into their investigation over the past two years,” university spokeswoman Emily Gerkin Guerrant said in a statement Tuesday, the AP reported. “MSU has cooperated fully with the inquiry, including handing over all facts associated with the case.”

“We continue making improvements and increasing our education and prevention efforts to make sure this can never happen again,” Gerkin Guerrant continued. “Our hearts are with the survivors and their families as they continue their healing as well.”

Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison after more than 150 women and girls offered testimony about abuse from the former physician.