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Schuette: MSU prosecutor is “independent”

Michigan AG Bill Schuette
Steve Carmody
/
Michigan Radio

State Attorney General Bill Schuette says the special prosecutor looking into MSU’s handling of abuse allegations is independent of his office.

That's not what the contract says, though.

The agreement with special prosecutor William Forsyth says he reports directly to and must clear major decisions with Schuette.

Schuette says that’s just standard contract language for special attorneys retained by his office. Schuette says the highly respected former Kent County prosecutor has no specific orders from his office.

“He’s the boss," Schuette said. "He’s running the show.”

Schuette’s office also says the inquiry is focused on how MSU handled Larry Nassar, and not on other campus sexual assault complaints. But he says the prosecutor is allowed to pursue any leads he turns up. 

“Bill Forsyth is mature, reasoned, thoughtful, independent, and you hire a guy to do the job, and you let him do the job. Period," Schuette said. 

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987.
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