A prosecutoris ready to pursue "several" criminal cases related to conductincluded in a bombshell investigation into rampant sexual misconduct over decades at a prestigious Northern Michigan arts academy and camp.
Details on any prosecutions related to Interlochen Center for the Arts and the findings of a private law firm remain sparse. But the information from Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg is the first indication of possible charges after a law firm hired by Interlochen found evidence that nearly 50 adults sexually abused or exploited at least 70 students at the school or associated camp.
"We now have several cases that we believe are still viable for prosecution. We are meeting to discuss how to best move forward with the
investigations. We want to be respectful and trauma-informed when reaching out to victims from cases that occurred many years ago," Moeggenberg said in an email to the Free Press over the weekend.
Interlochen officials asked Massachusetts-based law firm Sanghavi Law Office to start reviewing allegations of misconduct in 2024. At first, the firm examined allegations stemming from the 1960s and 1970s, but eventually expanded its scope to any allegation.
The report details a wide array of misconduct, from inappropriate comments to alleged rape. The report does not name the students or adults involved, but names have been provided to law enforcement, a school spokeswoman previously said. Moeggenberg previously said her office did not receive a copy of the report until the day before it was released publicly in late July.
Most of the allegations in the report are associated with conduct from before the year 2000. Moeggenberg said in August her office was reviewing possible problems with statutes of limitations. That means she needed to review whether, under the law, too much time had passed to file criminal charges.
"Once that assessment has been completed, any potential cases will be referred to [the Grand Traverse Sheriffs Office] for a complete investigation. Determining which cases are still viable for prosecution will likely take several weeks as there are a number of factors to be considered," Moeggenberg said on Aug. 11.
"The [Attorney General's] office has reached out to help. That determination will be made when we know how many cases can still be prosecuted. My office will do everything possible to prosecute any case where the victim wants to go forward and we are not barred by the statute of limitations."
Sheriff Mike Shea and a media representative for the attorney general did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday, Oct. 5.
At least one private lawyer representing some of the former students interviewed as part of the report is also gauging similar statute of limitations issues in the context of pursuing a civil lawsuit. Advocates have called on the Michigan Legislature to change laws so abuse victims can file viable civil lawsuits years after the alleged misconduct occurred.
The report included one case where someone was convicted: In 2005, former arts teacher Thomas Clower was convicted of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in relation to actions at Interlochen. Clower went on to teach dance in Texas until very recently. He no longer appears on the website for a Dallas-area dance academy; his profile was removed in the wake of the law firm's investigative report. Clower has not responded to Free Press requests for comment.
Another former Interlochen educator also lost his job. In early August, Appalachian State University announced John Stanley Ross resigned in July amid a university investigation into alleged sexual misconduct. Ross was an associate professor of music and the director of bands at the university's school of music.
Ross worked at Interlochen from 1992 to 2000 and was hired by Appalachian State in 2006. A former student told the Free Press that Ross sexually abused him during their time at Interlochen. The university said it heard from a former Interlochen student in 2018 who said Ross sexually harassed him.
Ross has not responded to Free Press requests for comment.
Interlochen and the firm that conducted the investigation acknowledged it is likely other former students not interviewed could come forward with new allegations of misconduct. It's not clear whether Moeggenberg is pursuing a case specifically included in the investigation or if her office received additional information tied to other alleged misconduct at Interlochen.
This is a developing story. Check freep.com for updates as they become available.
Dave Boucher is an investigative reporter with the Detroit Free Press. Reach him at dboucher@freep.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Several Interlochen sex cases 'viable for prosecution,' prosecutor says
