LANSING, Mich. — A meeting between investigators from the Michigan Attorney General's Office and former Michigan State University Interim President John Engler was supposed to happen Thursday in Washington, D.C.
Attorney General Dana Nessel has been trying to interview Engler as part of the state's investigation into how MSU handled the Larry Nassar scandal.
According to a letter Nessel sent to Michigan State University Chairperson Dianne Byrum, Engler's attorney said Michigan's former governor wouldn't be in Michigan in the near future and suggested the interview be conducted in Washington, D.C.
The Attorney General's Office says it canceled that meeting after Engler was seen taking in several MSU basketball games at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
Engler resigned as Interim MSU President in January. Since then, the Attorney General's Office made it publicly known that investigators wanted to talk to Engler.
On Tuesday, FOX 47 asked Governor Gretchen Whitmer if the AG's office has made any progress on getting in touch with Engler.
"I don't believe they've (Attorney General's Office) have made contact yet and I'm not quite sure how that process is going to continue to play out, but I know she is interested in doing that," Whitmer said.
In a letter addressed to Assistant Attorney General Christina Grossi from Engler's attorney Seth Waxman Grossi was asked to recuse herself from the case before Engler would be willing to participate in an interview.
Grossi has been running the case for Nessel.
Waxman says he’s advising Engler not to speak if Grossi remains part of the investigation. He accuses her of launching “unfounded attacks” on Engler and says her “biases” are unethical.
Engler has been seen at several MSU basketball games, including sitting courtside with prominent MSU donor Peter Seccia during MSU's basketball game against the University of Michigan in East Lansing on March 9.
FOX 47 asked Governor Whitmer about Engler's presence at the games.
"Well you know, when I'm watching Spartan basketball I'm just so focused on Cassius Winston, that he doesn't get hurt," Whitmer said. "I think that we are going to see a lot coming out of the Attorney General's office and it's going to play out."
