Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette Monday applauded steps taken by the Michigan House and Senate to prevent sexual abuse with a new 10-bill package led by State Senator Margaret O’Brien (R-Kalamazoo).
“The leadership, courage, determination of the survivors of Nassar is remarkable, and the legislation introduced today was written with their guidance and voices. I encourage our Representatives and Senators to pass legislation that will protect survivors of sexual abuse and deter those who may become abusers,” said Schuette. “The words of the young women assaulted by Nassar have changed the world, the most important focus must be the survivors, and how to prevent sexual abuse in the future.”
Assistant Attorney General Angela Povilaitis, who was the lead prosecutor on the Nassar case, represented the Department of Attorney General at the press conference announcing the bills in the Capitol Monday.
Schuette initiated his first charges against Nassar on November 22, 2016, and the second round of charges occurred on February 22, 2017.
Nassar pleaded guilty to seven felony counts of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree on November 22, 2017 in Ingham County, and to three felony counts of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree in Eaton County on November 29, 2017.
Nassar was sentenced in Ingham County on January 24, 2018 to 40-175 years in prison, and in Eaton County on February 5, 2018 to 40-125 years in prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Angela Povilaitis, Robyn Liddell and Chris Allen and funded by a United States Department of Justice grant awarded by the Office of Violence Against Women and is administered by the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board. Department of Attorney General Victim Advocate Bekah Snyder and Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan Victim Rights Training Specialist Angela Tomasko coordinated victim testimony and impact statements. The Michigan State University Police Department, led by Chief Jim Dunlap and Det/Lt. Andrea Munford, were the primary investigative agency.
On January 27, 2018 Schuette announced he had appointed Special Independent Counsel Bill Forsyth to lead an open and ongoing investigation into systemic issues with sexual misconduct at Michigan State University.
The Michigan State Police will provide investigative support and resources.
Assistant Attorney General Christina Grossi has been named project manager. Chief Deputy Attorney General Laura Moody, Chief Legal Counsel Eric Restuccia, Criminal Division Chief Rick Cunningham and Chief Investigator David Dwyre are part of the leadership team for the investigation, with assistant attorneys general from multiple divisions are providing expertise.
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