Public Media from Michigan State University

Judge May Decide Tuesday Whether Simon Faces Trial

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Former MSU President Lou Anna Simon will appear in Eaton County court on Tuesday, July 23. This is her last scheduled preliminary hearing date. A judge could decide whether to dismiss her case or bind her over for trial.
WKAR File Photo

An Eaton County judge may decide Tuesday whether former Michigan State University president Lou Anna Simon will face a trial.  Simon is accused of lying about when she knew of Larry Nassar’s sexual misconduct. 

 

 

On July 12, Michigan State Police Sergeant Joseph Cavanaugh testified that he and fellow detective Bill Ardnt did not ask Simon a specific set of prepared questions about the Nassar case during a May 2018 interview. 

 

At the time, Simon maintained all she knew was that an MSU physician was under review in 2014 but didn’t know their identity.

 

Cavanaugh conceded he and Ardnt made mistakes during that interview. 

 

Simon attorney Lee Silver says there’s no evidence to prove she deliberately withheld information about Nassar.

 

Lou Anna Simon faces two felony and two misdemeanor counts of lying to police. 

 

This is the last scheduled day of her preliminary hearing, after which Judge Julie Reincke could decide either to dismiss the case or bind her over for trial.

 

The hearing begins Tuesday at 9 a.m. in Charlotte. 

 

 

 

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Kevin Lavery served as a general assignment reporter and occasional local host for Morning Edition and All Things Considered before retiring in 2023.