EX-MSU dean guilty of neglecting Nassar abuse

LANSING, Mich. — A former dean who had oversight of now-imprisoned sports doctor Larry Nassar at Michigan State University was found guilty Wednesday of neglect of duty and misconduct in office but acquitted on a more serious criminal sexual conduct charge.

William Strampel, the ex-dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, was the first person charged after Michigan’s attorney general launched an investigation 1½ years ago into how Michigan State handled complaints against Nassar, a former USA Gymnastics physician who pleaded guilty to molesting female athletes and possessing child pornography.

Strampel, 71, had been accused of abusing his power to sexually proposition and harass female students and not enforcing patient restrictions imposed on Nassar following a 2014 sexual misconduct complaint. Jurors acquitted him of felony criminal sexual conduct in the second degree that could have sent him to prison for up to 15 years for allegedly grabbing the buttocks of one student at a fundraising ball.

He still faces up to five years in prison on the felony misconduct conviction from a charge that he used his public office to sexually harass, demean and proposition students who met with him to discuss academic issues. He also was convicted of willfully neglecting a duty to monitor Nassar after protocols were put in place requiring that a third person be present in the exam room with him.

Strampel left the courthouse without commenting. Sentencing is scheduled for July 31.

During Strampel’s trial, former medical students testified about sexual comments he made during one-on-one meetings. They accused him of staring at their breasts. Women who worked as model patients testified about unprofessional and sexual comments.

Investigators said Strampel’s work computer contained photos of nude and semi-nude young women with Michigan State logo piercings or clothing.

The defense said Strampel, who had a military medical career before becoming the dean in 2002, had a “sailor’s mouth,” but there was no “corruption going through his head” while he engaged in “locker room talk.”