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HART — After a nearly four-month investigation, the Michigan State Police turned over a 385-page report regarding allegations involving the Gull Lake High School football program to the Oceana County Prosecutor’s Office.
Oceana County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Bizon said it will be a long process to review the file. “It is massive and will take time to review,” he said.
MSP received a report involving allegations connected to the Gull Lake football program last June and opened a criminal investigation in July. Head coach Jalon Simpson was placed on paid, non-disciplinary administrative leave in July.
An interim head coach was later named as the school initially prepared to continue the varsity football season. In August, the Gull Lake school district announced it would not field a varsity football team this season.
Gull Lake Community Schools later confirmed multiple Title IX investigations related to reports of hazing.
The Gull Lake school district is located in Richland, which is in southwest Michigan in Kalamazoo County.
“The events happened in Oceana County at a camp in Pentwater, so it comes to me for initial review,” said Bizon. “They’re all juveniles, so nobody lives up here. So it is presumptively gong to be transferred to the counties where they live.” If the case goes to trial, it would have to be determined whether the case returns to Oceana County or if it stays in Kalamazoo County. “Between the two courts, they would work it out.”
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