Larry Nassar’s former boss charged with ‘criminal sexual conduct’

Dr William Strampel warned Nassar in 2014 about his conduct during medical exams, but never followed up

Former Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar listens during the sentencing phase in Eaton, County Circuit Court on 31 January 2018 (JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP/Getty Images)

Convicted sex offender Larry Nassar’s boss has been charged with criminal sexual conduct during his time at Michigan State University.

William Strampel, 70, was the Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine and oversaw the sports medicine clinic where Nasser practised for several years and preyed upon some of his 265 student-athlete victims. Mr Strampel is being accused of sexually propositioning female medical students.

According to the Detroit Free Press, which first reported the arrest, a search warrant issued last month revealed 50 photos of female genitalia, nude and semi-nude women in what appear to be “selfies,” and pornography on Mr Strampel’s work computer. A complaint filed with the local court alleged Mr Strampel also inappropriately touched a student. He has been charged felony misconduct in a public office, fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, and two additional misdemeanors and faces up to eight years in prison if found guilty on all the charges.

According to court documents, the felony charge is related to sexually inappropriate comments Mr Strampel allegedly made to several female students dating back to 2006. The document also stated: "Also uncovered on Strampel's work computer were pornographic videos and a video of Dr Larry Nassar performing 'treatment' on a young female patient”.

Mr Strampel is the first person to be charged in the worst sports sexual abuse scandal in US history and the state attorney general's investigation of sexual misconduct at Michigan State University. He left the university in December 2017 for medical reasons.

He told an FBI investigator last year that he had instructed Nassar to have a third party present when he needed to examine "anything close to a sensitive area” on a patient in 2014 after the former doctor was the subject of a US Department of Education investigation, but never followed up to ensure the doctor was following the rule after the three month investigation concluded.

Nassar was allowed to continue seeing patients during the DOE investigation and the subsequent university police case as well. He and Mr Strampel had agreed on protocols for his continued practise, including minimising skin-to-skin contact.

Mr Strampel is set to be arraigned on Tuesday. Nassar is currently serving up to 125 years in prison. Some of the survivors of Nassar’s abuse include gymnastics gold medalists Aly Raisman, Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas and McKayla Maroney. The US Congress has also set up a panel to investigate how many US Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics team officials knew about Nassar’s abuse and when.

Emily Guerrant, a Michigan State University spokesperson told CBS that the school has "been and will continue to cooperate with all ongoing investigations".

Mr "Strampel did not act with the level of professionalism we expect from individuals who hold senior leadership positions, particularly in a position that involves student and patient safety," said Ms Guerrant.

"Allegations have arisen that question whether his personal conduct over a long period of time met MSU's standards. We are sending an unmistakable message that we will remove employees who do not treat students, faculty, staff or anyone else in our community in an appropriate manner."

Mr Strampel remains a member of the faculty, though officially he is on medical leave.