[William Strampel, left, and Larry Nassar]
The former dean of the Michigan State University (MSU) College of Osteopathic Medicine was found guilty Wednesday of abusing his power to proposition and harass female medical students while in office.
William Strampel, 71, was the first MSU official, current or former, to be convicted in connection with the investigation into Larry Nassar, a convicted serial child molester who worked as a physician at the university and the former USA Gymnastics national team doctor.
The Michigan Attorney General launched an investigation into the university and Nassar’s abuse. Nassar was convicted in 2017 on child pornography and criminal sexual misconduct charges. He is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison.
Strampel was dean at the college from 2002 to 2017, according to the Lansing State Journal. He was also charged on a criminal sexual misconduct charge, but a jury dismissed that charge. Strampel could face up to five years in prison the neglect of duty and misconduct in office charges.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “Today’s verdict sends a clear message: It’s time to change the culture in our schools and medical communities so that our female students and doctors receive the same treatment and resepct as their female counterparts. Public officers who brandish their power to demean, insult, harass, objectify, and abuse female students will be held accountable.”
“I’m proud of the victimes who had the courage to step forward to tell their stories,” she continued. “You helped ensure that William Strampel could no longer wield his power to prey on women. I’m also proud of the officers from the Michigan State Police and special agents and attorneys from the Department of Attorney General who worked tirelessly on this case for more than a year to see that justice was done. Today, and every day, my office listens, believes — and stands with — victims.”
