William D. Strampel, DO, the former dean of Michigan State University’s (MSU’s) College of Osteopathic Medicine, has been charged with a felony related to his oversight of Larry Nassar, DO, the ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics physician who is serving jail time for his abuse of hundreds of girls.
Booking photo of former MSU Dean Dr William Strampel. Michigan Attorney General’s Office/AP
The felony — misconduct of a public official — is punishable by up to 5 years in prison. The Michigan attorney general also charged Strampel with two misdemeanor counts of willful neglect of duty by a public officer and with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct related to his alleged harassment of at least four female medical students.
Strampel, 70, also allegedly was storing pornographic images on his MSU office computer, including what appeared to be photos of students, the New York Times reports.
Strampel was arrested on March 26 and was immediately jailed in Ingham County, Michigan, according to the Detroit Free Press.
He appeared in court the next day via video. A judge set a personal recognizance bond of $25,000 and ordered Strampel not to contact current or former students and not to leave the state, according to multiple media reports.
John D. Dakmak, a lawyer for Strampel, said his client will fight the charges.
The former dean stepped down from his position for medical leave in December 2017. MSU — led by Interim President and former Michigan Governor John Engler — began proceedings to revoke Strampel’s tenure on February 9.
At the time, Engler said in a university statement, “William Strampel did not act with the level of professionalism we expect from individuals who hold senior leadership positions, particularly in a position that involves student and patient safety.”
Engler noted that “allegations have arisen that question whether his personal conduct over a long period of time met MSU’s standards.”
In a memo outlining the move to revoke tenure, Engler’s special counsel noted that in 2014, Strampel ordered Nassar to follow certain guidelines “when performing osteopathic manipulation procedures in a sensitive area.” The guidelines were issued in the wake of an investigation into a sexual harassment complaint against Nassar.
Strampel, however, did not notify MSU about the guidelines and did not set up any system to monitor or enforce the guidelines. Nassar was terminated in 2016 for failing to follow those guidelines.
Appointed dean of MSU’s osteopathic college in 2012, Strampel had served as acting dean since 2001. He came to MSU in 1999, after serving as a special assistant to the US surgeon general for operations and readiness, and also as chief medical officer for the Department of Defense’s Tricare Management Activity. Strampel was also a director of quality management in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
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