State attorney general investigating MSU over Nassar

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette promised a thorough investigation into how much Michigan State University officials knew about allegations of sexual abuse made by patients of sports doctor Larry Nassar, vowing Saturday that the probe will be "done right."

Schuette said veteran prosecutor William Forsyth will direct his office's independent investigation of the school's relationship with Nassar, a former MSU doctor who has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing female athletes under the guise of medical treatment.

Schuette said the 156 women and girls who gave victim impact statements last week as Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison prompted his office to move up the revelation of the investigation even before Nassar is sentenced on additional charges beginning Wednesday.

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Friday brought the first confirmation of an investigation, but Schuette said his office's review of MSU has been ongoing.

"It is abundantly clear that a full and complete investigation of what happened at Michigan State University, from the president's office down, is required," the attorney general said.

The school's board of trustees had called for Schuette to open an investigation, a request the attorney general considered inappropriate.

"I don't need advice from the board of trustees about how to conduct an investigation," Schuette said. "They should be the last ones giving advice about how to conduct an investigation. Their conduct speaks for itself."

School President Lou Anna Simon resigned Wednesday and Mark Hollis retired as athletic director Friday.

Michigan State officials also learned this week that the school is under NCAA investigation for potential rule violations related to Nassar.

-- Field Level Media