The Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives is calling on Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon to resign over the Larry Nassar scandal. Republican Tom Leonard of DeWitt told The Detroit News “The best case scenario for Michigan State University is that there was absolutely gross negligence all the way to the top, and worst case scenario, something’s being covered up.” He is calling for an independent investigation of the University.
A law firm hired by Michigan State to review the evidence in the Nassar case found that no MSU employee knew about sexual abuse committed by Nassar until it was publicly reported. Attorney General Bill Schuette asked MSU for the report but the law firm says it never actually produced a report. Speaker Leonard told The Detroit News he is "appalled" that the review was not documented.
The Lansing State Journal called on Simon to resign in an editorial in early December. The MSU Board of Trustees responded by saying it continues to have full confidence in her.
Nassar pleaded guilty in both Ingham County and Eaton County district courts to charges that he molested young women under the guise of medical treatment. He'll be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison in each court in January. On December 7 a federal judge sentenced him to 60 years on child pornography charges. That sentence won't start until he's finished serving his state time, meaning Nassar will die in prison.
