Interlochen Center for the Arts this week released a two-year-long investigation with stunning allegations of sexual misconduct spanning decades at the prestigious northern Michigan music, arts and education campus.
Here’s what to know:
Nearly 50 adults in leadership roles are accused of sexually abusing and exploiting at least 70 students. The accusations were gleaned from approximately 180 interviews with former students and staff. The allegations range from holding a student’s hand or making lewd comments to grooming and rape.
For decades, multiple predators felt empowered to take advantage of young people isolated in the Michigan wilderness – and leaders either did not know about the misconduct, looked the other way or swept it under the rug, according to the investigation’s findings, published July 28. In at least one case, investigators found administrators not only helped someone accused of abuse resign, but wrote the person letters of recommendation.
None of the accused still works at Interlochen, according to the report.
There are two accounts of alleged misconduct tied to notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, whose donations to and connections with Interlochen are well documented. Beyond Epstein, only four other alleged abusers are named – three are dead, and one was convicted in connection to the abuse. Three people Interlochen named held powerful positions at the center; a dorm on campus was still named after one of them on the day the report was released.
Many of the allegations in the report outline criminal conduct. But the private investigators acknowledged they did not determine whether the reported misconduct actually occurred.
Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg told the Detroit Free Press she received a copy of the report on Monday. She has not completed a review of the document.
Interlochen President Trey Devey told the Free Press that the allegations are heartbreaking but promised the campus is fundamentally different today. He noted most of the allegations reference events before 2000.
Interlochen promises to fund therapy for former students who said they were abused, and is working to coordinate online gatherings for people who want to connect.
They also recognize more stories of abuse are possible after publishing the report. Anyone with additional allegations of abuse can contact Elizabeth Sanghavi at elizabeth@sanghavilawoffice.com or 617-505-3010 before October. After that time, reports should go to investigation@interlochen.org.
Dave Boucher is an investigative reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Reach him at dboucher@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Interlochen sexual abuse investigation: What we know
Reporting by Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
