Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel released a statement on Christmas clarifying that her office is continuing to investigate the Larry Nassar case after a spokesperson from the office accidentally cast doubt on the situation earlier this week.
“A recent comment from our communications director regarding our department’s investigation of Michigan State University was inadvertently misleading and demands clarification,” Nessel said in a statement. “For the record, I remain deeply committed to finding the truth about who knew what about Larry Nassar at MSU.”
Nassar was convicted of serially sexually abusing girls and women during his time at Michigan State University and while serving as a doctor for Olympic gymnasts. He is currently serving 60 years in federal prison. MSU dean William Strampel was also convicted, and action against former MSU President LouAnna Simon and former MSU gymnastics coach Kathy Klages are set to begin.
Nessel’s statement comes after Attorney General spokeswoman Kelly Rossman-McKinney said earlier this week that the investigation into the case had been suspended. The investigation was originally started in January 2018.
“Until we have additional information we’ve done everything we can do at this point,” said Attorney General spokeswoman Kelly Rossman-McKinney, according to MLive.
Nessel clarified Rossman-McKinney’s statement, saying that Michigan State University is currently withholding more than 6,000 documents from the attorney general’s office.
“It remains unclear how anyone at MSU — including trustees — can say with certainty that the information contained in those documents is not relevant to our investigation,” Nessel said. “In fact, the depth and breadth the university has gone to in withholding those documents only increases our fervor to obtain them.”
Nessel said that she and her office are “committed to continuing to pursue MSU’s role in the Larry Nassar tragedy.”
“The report issued by this department last year was incomplete; we are committed to pursuing the answers to the questions left unanswered in that report,” she said.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with Battleground State News and The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
Photo “Dana Nessel” by Dana Nessel.
