An Eaton County judge has cleared former Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon of all criminal charges in a case related to the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal.
Simon had been charged with lying to law enforcement about when she knew of former MSU sports doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual assaults against hundreds of girls and young women.
Last October, a district court judge ordered Simon to stand trial.
However, after reviewing the testimony, Circuit Court Judge John Maurer ruled Wednesday that the evidence was insufficient.
Simon’s attorney, Lee Silver, calls it a “complete and total vindication” of his client.
“He concluded what we’ve been saying from Day One, that the prosecution’s entire case was based entirely on speculation and conjecture,” Silver says.
The Michigan Attorney General’s office says it supports the lower court’s decision, and is planning to appeal.