MSU Dean Faces Sexual Misconduct Charges Related to Nassar Scandal

William Strampel, the former dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University, oversaw disgraced former doctor Larry Nassar.

Former Michigan State University medical dean William Strampel, who was Larry Nassar’s supervisor, was charged Tuesday with criminal sexual conduct involving female medical school students.

Charges against Strampel, the former dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine from 2002 until December 2017, stem from an investigation into how complaints against Nassar were mishandled by the U.S. Olympics Committee, USA Gymnastics and the university.

Strampel has been charged with sexually propositioning female medical students and compiling nude student “selfies” on his work computer, reports AP News. He is also being charged with failing to enforce or monitor protocols set for Nassar after a female patient complained of inappropriate sexual contact.

Last year, Strampel told police he never followed up after ordering Nassar in 2014 to have a third person present when providing treatment to “anything close to a sensitive area”.

Additionally, a medical student accused the 70-year-old of forcible sexual contact, according to papers filed in state district court in East Lansing. Prosecutors say other students also accused Strampel of sexual misconduct.

A total of four criminal complaints have been filed against the former dean, according to Reuters. The female medical students told investigators Strampel made sexually suggestive comments during meetings, including some perceived as academic privileges in exchange for sex. Two of the women accused him of grabbing their buttocks without consent.

One of the accusers says she met with Strampel in June 2017 to appeal a test score, in which he said, “26-year-old women can ‘put out’ for 20 minutes with an old man … and in return, the women could get the benefit of a free vacation,” according to court documents.

When he agreed to let the student retake a test, he said she must agree to do anything for him, which she says she interpreted as a request for sex.

Court documents also accuse Strampel of using his position as dean to receive pornographic images of women “through threats and manipulation.” When his university-issued computer was seized in February, investigators found approximately 50 photos of nude women, sex toys and pornography, including nude selfies of female students and a video of Nassar performing non-clinical “treatment” on a young female patient.

Strampel was arraigned via video at 54-B District Court in East Lansing on Tuesday. He was released on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond and was ordered not to initiate contact with witnesses, victims or any current or former MSU medical student. A probable cause conference is scheduled for April 27 and a preliminary examination is scheduled for May 3.

If convicted, Strampel faces five years and a $10,000 fine for a charge of misconduct in office, two years and a $500 fine for a charge of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, and one year and a $1,000 fine for two charges of willful neglect of duty.

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Amy is Campus Safety’s Executive Editor. Prior to joining the editorial team in 2017, she worked in both events and digital marketing.

Amy has many close relatives and friends who are teachers, motivating her to learn and share as much as she can about campus security. She has a minor in education and has worked with children in several capacities, further deepening her passion for keeping students safe.

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