MSU president admits 'big mistake' after email attacking Nassar victim leaked
When a controversial news story is in its embryonic stage, it’s easy for the people involved, especially if they are in a position of power, to be initially dismissive and occasionally callously so. After all, when one person complains about something, no matter how serious the complaint, nobody wants to jump to conclusions.
So for Michigan State interim president John Engler to manage to put his foot in his mouth while his head was up his rear end is a gymnastic feat greater than those pulled off by the Olympians at the heart of the scandal in which Engler found himself embroiled.
Specifically, a leaked email from early in Engler’s tenure shows that he attacked one of disgraced doctor and sexual deviant Larry Nassar’s victims in a way that was less “jump to conclusions” and more “Dude, what is wrong with you?”
Engler accused Rachael Denhollander, the first victim to publicly come forward with accusations against Nassar, of being on the take, saying she was probably getting a “kickback” from trial attorneys who were then suing Michigan State.
“The survivors now are being manipulated by trial lawyers who in the end will each get millions of dollars more than any of individual survivors with the exception of Denhollander who is likely to get kickback from Manley for her role in the trial lawyer manipulation,” Engler said, misspelling the name of attorney John Manly.
His remark, especially in light of how the case ultimately ended up, made about as much sense as trying to swallow a live grenade.
Engler released a statement to the Detroit Free Press in which he apologized, but it is a Shakespearean idiot’s tale, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing, and it would take a gallon of milk of human kindness to get Engler out of his double double toil and trouble.
Said Engler:
“Last week while I was on my way to Texas, a private email conversation of mine from April was made public. I didn’t give it the consideration it warranted.
“That was a big mistake. I was wrong. I apologize.
“When I started this interim position in February, it was never my intent to have an adversarial relationship with some of the survivors.
“My speculation about the lead plaintiff receiving kickbacks or referral fees hurt her deeply and for that I am truly sorry. She and the other survivors suffered greatly and they are entitled not to have their sincerity questioned, either individually or as a group. I apologize to her and her sister survivors.
“The days after the April Board of Trustees meeting were extremely frustrating. Emotions and tempers, including mine, were running at a high level. It seemed as though we would never be able to reach a successful settlement. Nothing we were doing seemed to work.
“When I arrived at MSU, Larry Nassar was already in jail but students and survivors alike were protesting. I apologized publicly to the survivors on behalf of the University for the harm Nassar had done. Others from the university, including the Board of Trustees had also done so. But disappointment and anger overwhelmed those apologies. I felt from the day I arrived that the university and the survivors had to come together to reach a just and equitable settlement in order for the healing to begin.
“I also want to apologize to the MSU Board of Trustees and the Spartan community because my email created a major distraction from the important work we’re doing to make our campus safer.
“Days after I arrived, I moved to revoke Dean Strampel’s tenure. We changed the protocols and policies in our medical clinics that allowed Nassar to escape detection for nearly two decades. We are dedicating more resources to sexual assault prevention and support services. Still that was not enough, a settlement had to be achieved.
“In May, we were able to do so.
“I am very proud that the plaintiffs, their very able counsel and the university were able to achieve a settlement which will help the healing begin. My private comments from April coming out last week impaired that healing and it reopened old wounds as many survivors felt compelled to come to the defense of the first woman who spoke out. My regrettable private email harmed the healing process and, for that, I am also very sorry.
“I will use my remaining time as Interim President of Michigan State University to continue implementing meaningful reforms that serve to increase safety and respect on our campus. Just as our new policies have assured the safety of any patient who visits an MSU clinic or is treated by an MSU physician, our additional staff and new leadership will make a profound difference across our campus.
“Finally, we continue to welcome specific suggestions about actions that might be taken to improve our success at preventing sexual misconduct or sexual assault on or off campus. Your ideas are welcomed and will be treated with the utmost consideration. Suggestions can be offered at my webpage: http://president.msu.edu.”
Yeah, here’s a suggestion, Johnny boy:
Step aside gracefully. You may have survived a vote on your ouster Friday, but the university community is trying desperately to wash its hands of this whole sordid affair and you are in the way.
And maybe next time, don’t gaslight a rape victim behind her back.
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