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Special Counsel Forsyth: Search warrant led to charges against Strampel

March 27, 2018
Special prosecutor and lead investigator Bill Forsyth exits the press conference on March 27, 2018 at 525 W. Ottawa in Lansing.
Special prosecutor and lead investigator Bill Forsyth exits the press conference on March 27, 2018 at 525 W. Ottawa in Lansing.

The execution of a search warrant at the Hannah Administration Building in early February led to charges against former MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Dean William Strampel, Special Counsel William Forsyth announced at a press conference Tuesday.

Forsyth held a press conference at noon to update the public regarding his investigation into MSU's handling of sexual abuse surrounding ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.

The conference was announced hours before former Strampel was arrested Monday evening. 

Strampel faces four charges, including misconduct in office, a five-year felony, two counts of willful neglect of duty and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. 

For more information on the allegations against Strampel, read our analysis here.

After sending requests to MSU for materials related to certain officials, Forsyth said his investigation received a credible tip regarding Strampel that he felt was "time sensitive," which led to the execution of a search warrant at the Hannah Administration Building in early February before MSU could respond to the request.

"The end result of that is that we're here today, having charged former dean William Strampel with a number of charges," Forsyth said.

Officials at 54-B District Court told The State News Strampel will be arraigned at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. 

MSU Interim President John Engler moved to begin revoking Strampel's tenure in February so he could be fired, stating Strampel did not act with a level of professionalism MSU expects from senior officials. 

The Wall Street Journal reported Strampel made comments in 2016 that he did not believe those who accused Nassar of sexual assault and did not want to fire Nassar. 

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