Lansing –
Two people familiar with the situation say Michigan State University’s new general counsel, appointed to help deal with fallout from the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal, would make nearly $1.3 million over three years even if he was let go before his contract ended.
The people spoke Wednesday to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the school had not announced the terms of Robert Young’s pending contract. It’s expected to be taken up Friday during the board of trustees’ next public meeting.
The officials said Young could qualify for a full payout even if he were fired for cause. In response to the AP’s reporting, university spokesman Emily Guerrant said the contract wording will be tweaked. While Young could be dismissed for any reason, he would only be denied pay if terminated for cause.
“If Bob Young was terminated for cause, he would not receive a payment for the remainder of the contract,” she said.
Michigan State Interim President John Engler appointed Young, a former state Supreme Court chief justice, in May to replace acting general counsel Kristine Zayko.
Zayko came under criticism for not telling the board about a 2014 investigation of Nassar and complaints about a former osteopathic medical school dean, William Strampel, who is facing criminal charges.
