Michigan State University (MSU) has finally released over 6,000 documents related to the Larry Nassar scandal following pressure from state investigators and victims. The documents were withheld for several years, citing attorney-client privilege, but Attorney General Dana Nessel found that most of the material did not actually fall under this protection. The investigation into what MSU officials knew about Nassar and how the scandal was handled began in 2018, but stalled and closed in 2021 due to the university’s resistance in releasing the documents.
Nessel criticized MSU for unnecessarily denying closure to survivors and stated that there was no justification for withholding the documents for so long. In response, MSU spokesperson Emily Gerkin Guerrant maintained that the initial interpretation of attorney-client privilege was appropriate but acknowledged the impact on survivors, families, and the MSU community. The university expressed its commitment to becoming more accountable and providing a safe environment for all.
The released documents will be made public in the coming months and can be requested through public records in the meantime. This development marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation into the Nassar scandal and the role of MSU officials in handling the situation. It is hoped that the transparency brought about by the release of these documents will provide some closure and accountability in this long-standing case.
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