EAST LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) — Controversy continues to swirl around Michigan State University leaders ahead of Friday's board of trustees meeting.
The board's last public meeting became contentious after Larry Nassar survivor Kaylee Lorincz publicly accused interim president John Engler of offering a settlement without her attorney present.
CALLS FOR RESIGNATION GROW
Since then, the university reached a settlement with hundreds of women, but calls for Engler's resignation have grown.
Two MSU trustees and elected officials joined the chorus last Friday after newly obtained emails show Engler accused Rachael Denhollander of receiving kickbacks and manipulating other abuse victims during the litigation process. The emails were written shortly after the April board meeting.
Plus, 150 signatures from Nassar survivors are now attached to a letter urging MSU trustees to fire the man they appointed without public discussion.
The former Michigan governor said last week he will not resign.
ENGLER’S INFLUENCE ON MSU
Adding to the fallout: A report out Wednesday from the Detroit Free Press cites sources who said Engler recently told an event planning team, "Get that teal sh** out of here."
Teal is the color used to symbolize sexual assault prevention and awareness.
The report also states Engler has been heavily involved in shaping the messaging coming out of MSU. For instance, sources told the Free Press Engler overruled designs for the cover of the next alumni magazine. Two ideas used teal as the predominant color, but instead Engler reportedly wants to "showcase the positive moves [he] has made since taking over, like adding more counselors."
INVESTIGATION ROADBLOCKS?
The Lansing State Journal also has new information about how the university is responding to the Michigan Attorney General's investigation. According to a report out late Wednesday, MSU is "wrongfully withholding" documents requested by special prosecutor William Forsyth, who previously served as Kent County’s chief prosecutor.
Letters the State Journal obtained through the Freedom of Information Act show Forsyth wrote MSU's new general counsel Robert Young Jr. on several occasions since beginning the investigation, accusing him of withholding documents and heavily redacting ones they turned over.
A spokeswoman for MSU told the State Journal the university is fully cooperating with the investigation and already turned over more than 75,000 documents.
Friday's board meeting is set for 8 a.m. at the Hannah Administration Building on the East Lansing campus. 24 Hour News 8 will have a crew at the meeting. Check for updates Friday throughout the day.