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MSU says it’s caught between FOIA and interfering with sex assault investigation

  

Michigan State University is asking a judge to decide whether it has to release police and arrest records to a news outlet after a prosecutor asked they remain confidential.

The records are related to the criminal investigation into an alleged sexual assault that may involve members of the Spartan football team.

 The sports network ESPN filed a request for the records under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. But the Ingham  County Prosecutor’s office says releasing the records could interfere with the criminal investigation.

“So we have a request from the chief law enforcement officer of the county. We also      have our duty to abide by the FOIA law.”

MSU spokesman Jason Cody.

“And those things are in conflict.”

The lawsuit is filed with the Michigan Court of Claims. ESPN successfully sued MSU in 2015 to open up its police records.