EATON COUNTY, Mich. — During testimony Tuesday afternoon, Paulette Granberry Russell admitted sending official correspondence identified an agenda she produced with a handwritten note reading, "Sports Med Dr. Nassar SA." Russell said she believes the SA stands for sexual assault.
This is one of two agendas she prepared. One for a meeting on May 14, 2014 and another for a meeting on May 19th.
This is day three of Lou Anna K. Simon’s Preliminary Exam. She has been charged with four counts of lying to police officers over the Larry Nassar investigation.
In 2014, Russell, was the director of the Office for Inclusion at MSU and worked under then-Michigan State University President Simon.
It is not certain whether the meeting between Simon and Russell scheduled for May 14th actually took place.
Attorneys for Simon are arguing that Russell could have written the note after the dates in question, even as late as 2016 when allegations against Nassar started to increase.
In her testimony Tuesday afternoon, Russell admitted to prosecutors that she used her private Gmail account to conduct MSU business. This included the initial emails between Russell and Title IX investigator Kristine Moore regarding the initial allegations against Nassar.
Earlier Tuesday, prosecutors questions focused on an email she sent to then-MSU President Simon regrading Nassar.
Assistant Attorney General Scott Teter's cross examination sought to answer when Russell first became aware of complaints against Nassar.
He also asked pointed questions regarding discussions involving Michigan State University’s Title IX Policy between Russell and Simon.
Teter asked multiple questions seeking to confirm when and with whom Russell had discussed alleged complaints against Nassar.
In response to one question, Russell admitted that she received a call on May 15, 2014 informing her of Amanda Thomashow’s complaint against Nassar.
She was specifically asked what happened when she found out about Nassar allegations. She answered, "There was an email sent to Dr. Simon on the 16 of May 2014."
Then the state presented Russell with the email she sent to Simon and asked her to describe what it was. Russell said, "It's an email sent to then president Simon from myself. Friday, 5-26-2014 7:56 am subject: incident. We have an incident involving a sports medicine doc."
Also on Tuesday, Russell answered more questions regarding a “Dear Colleague” letter that moved more Title IX responsibilities under MSU’s Office of Inclusion.
Prosecutors began their line of questioning at 9:15 Tuesday morning by asking Russell to go over every meeting she had with then MSU President Simon
In an initial response to prosecutors’ questions, Russell informed the court she would sometimes talk about “hot button issues” with Simon.
The hearing has concluded for the day. The judge and attorneys were working on scheduling the next hearing potential as soon as April 16th.
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