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Survivor lawsuits against Nassar, MSU return to mediation

March 28, 2018
Larry Nassar's defense attorney Matt Newburg and Nassar listen to a victim impact statement on the second day of sentencing for Larry Nassar on Feb. 2, 2018, in the Eaton County courtroom. Nassar faces three counts of criminal sexual conduct in Eaton. (Annie Barker | State News)
Larry Nassar's defense attorney Matt Newburg and Nassar listen to a victim impact statement on the second day of sentencing for Larry Nassar on Feb. 2, 2018, in the Eaton County courtroom. Nassar faces three counts of criminal sexual conduct in Eaton. (Annie Barker | State News)

MSU and others sued by the survivors of ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse have agreed to return to a mediation phase in lawsuits.

The survivors and those they are suing, including Nassar, MSU, MSU's Board of Trustees, USA Gymnastics, former Osteopathic Medicine College Dean William Strampel and others, have agreed to restart conversations that could lead to a settlement in civil lawsuits, according to a stipulated order filed on Tuesday.

According to the stipulated order, both parties have agreed to have Layn Phillips, former United States attorney and district judge, as a mediator.

"The Parties wish to inform the Court that the Parties have agreed to renew efforts to mediate a resolution of this matter," the stipulated order reads. "The Parties have agreed upon a mediator, Layn Phillips, and are scheduling the next mediation."

According to the order, the court agreed to extend time for survivors to respond to the defendant’s motions to dismiss the lawsuits related to Nassar and for USA Gymnastics to respond to the plaintiffs' motion for discovery until May 10.

Additionally, the order said the parties are allowed 10 additional pages for briefs on the motions for discovery. 

MSU Interim President John Engler said MSU is “pleased that mediation will restart” in a statement released on Wednesday regarding the federal court filing. 

“The university remains committed to reaching a fair settlement with all the survivors,” Engler said in the statement. “Former Federal Judge Layn Phillips will be a strong, independent mediator, and we have confidence he will work hard to bring the parties to a resolution.”

Engler said the extension of the plaintiffs’ lawsuit responses until May 10 will give both parties time to “work toward an equitable settlement.”

“I came to MSU with the intention of concluding the lawsuits as soon as possible in a fair and just manner. The survivors should not have to endure years of litigation," Engler said.

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