The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
MICHIGAN STATE PLAYERS CHARGED »
Three Michigan State football players are being charged in an alleged sexual assault on campus in January, an attorney said Monday.
Ingham County prosecutor Carol Siemon said only that three people were being charged in the incident, but she didn’t release details or names.
Karen Truszkowski, an attorney for the accuser, told The Associated Press that the three are football players.
“I’m pleased to see the process is moving along. This is just one more step along the way,” Truszkowski said.
In a separate but related investigation by the university, the three are facing possible discipline as students.
Earlier Monday, Michigan State released a report from an external law firm that investigated the football program’s handling of the allegations. The investigation found no evidence that coach Mark Dantonio violated the school’s policy on relationship violence and sexual misconduct. The report said Dantonio “took prompt and decisive action” with respect to the January incident that has led to criminal charges.
The school announced Feb. 9 that three players were suspended as part of a sexual assault investigation. A staff member associated with the football program also was suspended.
On Monday, school spokesman Jason Cody confirmed that the staffer in question was Curtis Blackwell. The school said last week that Blackwell’s contract which was set to expire at the end of May was not being renewed.