Pitt McGehee Palmer Bonanni & Rivers Partner Megan Bonanni spoke with the Detroit Free Press about Michigan State University’s 17-month delay in reporting sexual assault allegations against former medical resident Arpit Saxena to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Megan raised concerns about the university’s handling of the allegations and its responsibility to protect patients.
“It is demonstrating that MSU did not take every step necessary to protect its own patients, including making sure that this physician accused of harming patients can no longer practice medicine,” Megan told the Detroit Free Press. “This is a step that you must take when you receive a complaint of this nature. It is a must.”
Megan and co-counsel Lisa Esser-Weidenfeller represent a woman who alleges Saxena sexually assaulted her under the guise of medical treatment. They filed a notice of intent to sue MSU on her behalf earlier this month. Megan, who previously represented more than 400 survivors of sexual abuse by former MSU physician Larry Nassar, expressed concern that the university has failed to learn from its handling of past allegations.
“Watching this timeline unfold and the investigation deepen is only solidifying in my mind that once again, there has been an effort to protect the institution at the expense of patients,” Megan said.