Head coach Kathie Klages watches the team warm up for beam on Feb. 13, 2015, at the women's gymnastics meet against Michigan. Michigan defeated Michigan State with a score of 196.725-194.850. Emily Nagle/The State News
Former MSU gymnastics coach Kathie Klages is charged with two counts of lying to a peace officer during the course of the investigation into former MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.
Klages denied that she was told about Nassar's sexual abuse before 2016 when talking to Michigan State Police officers. However, witnesses said they told Klages about the abuse at least 20 years earlier, the press release from the Attorney General's Office said.
Special Independent Counsel Bill Forsyth announced the charges Thursday morning. Klages is charged with a felony and a misdemeanor. The felony charge carries up to four years in prison or a fine up to $5,000. The misdemeanor charge has up to 2 years of imprisonment or a fine of no more than $5,000, or both, according to the release.
A warrant was issued for her arrest and bond is set at $5,000.
Klages was suspended from coaching on Feb. 13, 2017. She retired the next day.
MSU Communications and Brand Strategies provided a statement.
"Kathie Klages is no longer an employee at Michigan State University," the statement said. "The university was not present when she gave statements to the Michigan State Police, so we have no comment on what she told investigators or the charges announced today. MSU is committed to implementing changes for the fall semester that enhance prevention and education programming and establish new safety measures as well as increase resources and support for survivors of sexual assault."
This article was updated at 5:22 p.m. with a comment from MSU.
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