MSU and persons affiliated with MSU are now seeking to be dismissed as co-defendants from lawsuits against former MSU doctor Larry Nassar.
Former MSU gymnastics head coach Kathie Klages, former dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine William Strampel and former head of MSU’s sports medicine clinic Jeffrey Kovan hope to be removed from the lawsuit alongside MSU as a whole.
Klages allegedly learned of Nassar’s abuse as early as 1997 and may have actively discouraged athletes from reporting him to police and the university.
MSU is not the first organization to seek dismissal — both USA Gymnastics and Twistars Gymnastics and affiliated persons have filed similar motions.
Attorneys for MSU say the university is not legally responsible for Nassar’s sexual assault and abuse of his patients.
“Although Nassar’s actions were repugnant and merit the heavy criminal penalties imposed upon him, the law does not support Plaintiffs’ attempts to hold the MSU Defendants liable for his wrongs,” MSU attorneys wrote in a brief.
The attorneys also argue many of the plaintiffs were not MSU students, freeing the university from liability under Title IX.
Nassar is expected to be sentenced in Ingham County Circuit Court this week.
Stay with The State News for coverage of the sentence hearing and for other news on ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. Other stories on survivors and cases can be found under the "Larry Nassar Coverage" tag on our website.
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