The revelation adds a new dimension to an already swirling scandal, with Denno’s membership on the board already in jeopardy.

In March, an independent investigation into the board first revealed that Denno had leaned on administrators to ensure a student had a preferable housing assignment, though the student’s identity was a mystery.

In April, The State News reported that it was part of a larger pattern, with Denno asking multiple administrators for personal favors. Now, new records reveal the identity of the student and his connection to Denno and Sosebee.

The board voted earlier this year to support Denno’s removal over his repeated interference in the administration, among other ethics charges. A spokesperson said Michigan’s governor, the only person with the power to remove a sitting board member from office, is currently considering that request.

These new details of the housing interference establish the clearest conflict of interest yet for Denno, an expert in board governance said.

Denno and Sosebee, who now works at MSU, disputed any wrongdoing.

The State News learned the identities of the students through a public records request for emails related to the housing requests. MSU initially redacted the emails to obscure the students’ identities, citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, but The State News successfully appealed the decision, forcing MSU to release unredacted copies.

What the emails show

The chief’s son, Brock Sosebee, was an incoming business freshman when Denno intervened in May 2023. He was attempting to room with Blake Taylor, an incoming freshman accepted to MSU’s Residential Business Community, which guarantees a dorm in McDonel Hall, according to the documents.

In an email to MSU’s Senior Vice President for Student Life & Engagement, Vennie Gore, Denno specifically asked that the two be guaranteed a room together.

“It would be a priority for them and me to be housed together,” Denno said, according to a copy of the email. “I look forward to your positive response.”

Gore obliged, replying back: “It has been taken care off.”

But the assignment didn’t stick. An audit of incoming students' preferences decoupled them, because only Taylor was in the Residential Business Community, said MSU spokesperson Emily Guerrant.

Shortly after, the chief emailed Denno, saying his son hadn’t gotten confirmation. The former police chief was worried the sought roommate would "look for someone else” if their assignment didn’t get confirmed soon.

Denno emailed Gore again.

“My understanding is that Brock did not get the roommate assignment that he requested?” he wrote. “I find this frustrating and it kinda makes me look bad. Could someone please take care of this ASAP?”

A housing administrator replied, explaining the audit issue and saying he had “personally verified” that they would be roomed together.

Conflicts of interest

Board bylaws say trustees should avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest. They also say trustees should ensure “equal educational opportunity to all qualified students.” MSU’s accreditation also requires board members to not interfere in the business of the administration.

In light of those rules, Denno’s request is improper, said Jim Finkelstein, a George Mason University professor emeritus who studies college governance. He said the interference is problematic in itself, and it's a greater conflict of interest because he was acting on behalf of his boss.

“That’s not the job of a board member, to do favors for your boss’ kid,” Finklestein said.

The incident also raised two other issues, he said. First, the administration should not have complied with the board member’s interference.

“The VP was clearly trying to carry favor with this board member,” he said. “The president should not be happy with that.”

Second, the incident raises questions for Sosebee, as he was, at the time, a public official who asked a subordinate to help him get favorable treatment for his son, Finklestein said.

“It could all seem like a small issue, but it’s trading favors at a public institution,” he said. “I don’t know what could have been going through this board member's mind.”

Denno and Sosebee defended themselves when reached by The State News. Denno said he was only asking “the university to correct a mistake” and that he would do the same for “any student or parent.” Sosebee said he “never asked for any favors, only direction,” and that Denno’s assistance was what he assumed “we would want from our trustees.”

When asked if Denno’s request was improper, Guerrant, the MSU spokesperson, said “it’s probably a matter of perspective.”

Sosebee’s son declined to comment. Taylor, the roommate, could not be reached. A spokesperson for the Lansing Police Department declined to comment.

In June, Sosebee retired from Lansing Police Department, and took a new job at MSU. He is an analyst with the Prevent 2 Protect project, which studies ways to reduce adolescent violence.

Denno denied playing a role in Sosebee’s hiring at MSU, but said that the university “is fortunate to have him.” Sosobee said Denno “was not involved in the process for my current position.”