Interim President John Engler said gymnasts who were abused by Larry Nassar are enjoying the spotlight. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

A statement Michigan State University Interim President John Engler made to The Detroit News editorial board late last week is the subject of backlash after the Detroit Metro Times put focus on it this week and national outlets picked it up.

In an interview with the News, Engler alluded that the gymnasts abused by Larry Nassar are enjoying their moment in the spotlight while also insisting the university is done with investigations so that everyone can “get back to work.” This all while Nassar’s survivors are footing the bill for counseling and therapy that they were told a fund set up by MSU would provide.

Engler says gymnasts enjoying the moment

Engler’s controversial comments came as the close to an article about the Healing Assistance Fund approved by the Michigan State University Board of Trustees. It calls for the reinstatement of a fund meant to pay for counseling costs of those sexually abused by Larry Nassar.

The article focuses on who would be able to dip into the fund, with Engler suggesting it would be for survivors not part of the primary settlement that was determined earlier this year. From the Detroit News:

“You’ve got people, they are hanging on and this has been … there are a lot of people who are touched by this, survivors who haven’t been in the spotlight,” Engler told The News. “In some ways, they have been able to deal with this better than the ones who’ve been in the spotlight who are still enjoying that moment at times, you know, the awards and recognition.”

Engler was named interim president last February and has made headlines before, including false claims that those abused by Nassar received “kickbacks” for encouraging others to come forward.

Dianne Y. Byrum, newly elected chairwoman of the board, told the Chronicle of Higher Education that Engler’s comments were “ill advised and not helpful to the healing process, survivors, or the university.”

Engler done with investigations

In the same interview with the Detroit Free News editorial board, but quoted in a different article, Engler said he does not support another investigation.

“There are some people who want to continue to investigate and inquire into lots of things,” Engler told the News. “I wouldn’t support any more … We’re trying to get rid of lawyers and consultants now. We’re trying to get back to work.”

It isn’t the first time Engler has found himself surrounded by investigations and lawsuits.

The Metro Times noted that while Engler was governor of Michigan in the 1990s, the Republican fought against a lawsuit filed on behalf of dozens of female inmates who alleged they were raped by state corrections officers. The United Nations got involved and the $100 million settlement in 2009 was then the largest in state history, according to the Metro Times.

Fund for victims not up to Engler

The $10 million fund was established by the university in December 2017 to benefit survivors of Nassar’s abuse and provide for counseling fees. It was suspended in July due to a fraud investigation that did not involve survivors or their families. It was canceled a year after its founding, despite Engler saying in July it would be available in three to four months.

The university said it would take the $8.5 million still in the fund and put it into the $500 million needed for the historic settlement with survivors, thereby forcing the university to borrow less. It was one of the ways, Engler told the News then, that “MSU is accountable to those harmed.”

With three new members seated at their first meeting of the year, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to reinstate the fund. Byrum, who is also co-chair of the university’s presidential search committee, said via Twitter that Engler “does not speak for the board and does not have a vote.”

John Engler does not speak for the Board and does not have a vote. The Board of Trustees has the authority to determine the details of a new fund to assist Survivors. This will be discussed at the MSU Board meeting scheduled for February 15, 2019. https://t.co/Gw4mHca4Uz — Dianne Byrum (@DianneByrum) January 12, 2019





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