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Dan Kelly
Ross Jones of WXYZ raises questions about whether Michigan State University Trustee Dan Kelly is an appropriate advocate for victims of Larry Nassar's sex abuse.
Kelly pledged support for victims of sex abuse, but as a lawyer he opposed them repeatedly in court. Kelly represented the Roseville, Dundee and Warren Consolidated Schools in sex abuse civil cases, Ross finds.
In one instance, Kelly represented the Warren system against suits by parents of children molested by gym teacher James Kearly. They alleged that the district ignored more than a decade's worth of Kearly's documented fondling. The teacher pleaded no contest to sex abuse charges.
As allegations stacked up, according to testimony, the district moved Kearly to a school that taught younger students in the hopes that he would be less attracted to underdeveloped elementary school girls, Jones reports, adding:
During trial, Kelly told jurors the district couldn’t be held responsible for Kearly’s actions and, while there was no excuse for what he did, “the touching was always on the outside of the clothing . . . was very brief and . . . there’s very strong evidence that they didn’t know that it was inappropriate when it occurred.”
The jury returned a $2.1-million verdict in favor of the victims.
Morgan McCaul, one of Larry Nassar’s victims, tells WXYZ:
"When this is a leader and essentially the architect of campus climate, I don't know how you can send your kids to Michigan State University and feel safe."
Watch the full report: