EAST LANSING, Mich. (WSYM) - Friday we've learned interim Michigan State University Interim President John Engler's alleged secret buyout to Larry Nassar survivor Kaylee Lorincz, was not the first time he was accused of trying to make deals under the table.
Attorney Jamie White, who represents dozens of Nassar survivors including Lindsey Lemke, said Engler talked with Lemke's mother for about an hour over the phone on March 22nd, trying to resolve the lawsuit.
In a statement to FOX 47 News, White said "anytime the parties or their agents discuss litigation without the presence of attorneys -- it creates confusion and anxiety. That is exactly what occurred here."
That statement came after our story about the offer Larry Nassar survivor, Kaylee Lorincz, said Engler made to her recently.
Kaylee and her mother told FOX 47's Alani Letang why it upset them so much.
The crowd at this Friday's Board of Trustees meeting erupted when Kaylee accused Engler of offering her a secret $250,000.
She told Letang it shows what MSU leadership thinks of the survivors.
"I knew exactly what he was doing and I wasn't going to fall for it," said Kaylee Lorincz, Larry Nassar survivor.
Kaylee was just 13 years old when Larry Nassar molested her. Now five years later she says MSU interim president offered her a $250,000 payoff to end her lawsuit against the university.
Friday she told the Board of Trustees she met with John Engler a couple weeks ago introduce herself as Kaylee --- not just another "survivor."
"You know I said, I'm not here for the money, that's not why I'm here that's not what my focus or care is about. I want to heal personally and I can't heal until MSU moves forward and holds their accountability and does the right thing," said Kaylee.
Offering money was not the right thing, according to Kaylee's mother.
"There is no amount of money. Kaylee said they can't go back and undo what happened to her, and it has forever changed her life. So all the money does is send a message and deter future abuse, hopefully. Michigan State only understands money, that's clear. That's all they talked about today, gifts and scholarships," said Lisa Lorincz, Kaylee's mother.
Lisa said it's not about the money, it's about how the survivors are treated. She said the university sees them as numbers on paper -- not as human beings.
Lisa told Letang, "I think he's so black and white, that's really what he views them as 250 sheets of paper that he's going to enter a ledger on. and then move on."
Lisa and Kaylee said they won't offer to help Engler or MSU anymore. But they would like an apology, and silence from the interim president.
"I would love it if he would not comment on things because he doens't know how to do it in a sensitive nature, I think that he should take the advice that he has been giving the board and not speak publicly," said Lisa.
In a statement to FOX 47 News Engler admits to having the meeting with Kaylee and Lisa on March 28th, but says "our memories and interpretations of the meeting are different than hers.
I am sorry if i said anything during the meeting that was misunderstood".
MSU has not sent us a response to the allegation from attorney Jamie White.
