NCAA clears Michigan State of rule violations in Larry Nassar scandal

Michigan State University said Thursday that the NCAA has determined the school didn't violate any rules in its handling of the Larry Nassar sexual assault crisis, The Associated Press reports.

The school said it had received a letter from the athletic association this week that said "it does not appear there is a need for further inquiry." Nassar, the former longtime sports doctor at the university, as well as a physician for USA Gymnastics, was convicted of sexually assaulting girls and women who were athletes at Michigan State over the past several decades. The university faced intense scrutiny from critics who said officials had bungled their response to reported misconduct.

Michigan State has denied that there was an effort to cover up or ignore complaints against Nassar, reports AP, and the school's athletic director said the university "cooperated fully with the inquiry" into its response. "While we agree with the NCAA that we did not commit a violation, that does not diminish our commitment to ensure the health, safety, and wellness of our student athletes," said the director, Bill Beekman.

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The NCAA additionally found that Michigan State hadn't violated any rules in responding to assault allegations against the school's football and basketball players. Read more at The Associated Press.