Unfortunately the tendency to cover up less than stellar and criminal behavior is fairly common in college towns with serious sports programs.
Back in the 80s when my sister was living in married off campus housing at MSU she was managing the building and had a big Spartan basketball star’s car towed away. This future NBA pro trashed her car with a tire iron and kicked the door off her apartment.
He was arrested and given a slap on the wrist by a judge who was more interested in the star’s pro prospects. MSU paid for the damages and explained that her husband was a student at the school and not dropping the matter might harm his college career.
Have to ask, did the name of this MSU basketball star begin with “Earvin” and end with “Johnson”?