Edmund Fitzgerald Life Preserver Part Of Federal Lawsuit Settlement With MSP

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 10/23/2025) A federal lawsuit arising out of a discredited sexual abuse investigation has resulted in a unique settlement – the Michigan State Police received a life preserver that washed ashore from the Edmund Fitzgerald. 

Shanon Banner, MSP’s director of communications and outreach division, told MIRS Thursday that the Attorney General-appointed attorney and the court approved the settlement, but MSP isn’t “comfortable with the life preserver being included” in the settlement. 

MSP “will be reaching out to (plaintiff’s) attorney,” Banner said. “The intention of the settlement negotiators was always for the historic Michigan artifact to be on long-term loan to Michigan museums.” 

In addition, the lawsuit filed by Larry ORR, who accused a state police officer of violating his rights during the investigation, settled for $600,000. 

Orr had agreed to give up the life preserver, which he owned. 

Danny Wimmer, press secretary for the Attorney General's office, said the department did not represent Lt. David Busacca, who wanted the artifact included in the settlement, nor did the department represent MSP or Busacca in the settlement negotiations. 

“The Michigan Department of Attorney General additionally did not specifically appoint Audrey Forbush to negotiate this matter - Michigan State Police paid for representation of their employee by Plunkett Cooney,” Wimmer said. “For insights into the terms of the settlement, I must refer you to the Michigan State Police.” 

Forbush told MIRS that she “did not negotiate anything related to the life ring. Neither did Lt. Busacca." 

Neither Orr nor his attorney returned a message seeking comment. 

The SS Edmund Fitzgerald, a large bulk carrier, sank on Nov. 10, 1975, in Lake Superior during a severe storm. All 29 crew members died, and Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot memorialized the disaster with his ballad, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” 

Orr and his stepson, former Detroit officer Sean MacMaster, filed their lawsuit in the U.S. District Court alleging the criminal probe launched against them alleging sexual assault against a child was so former Assistant Attorney General Brian Kolodziej could somehow benefit from a romantic relationship with his girlfriend, who was a family member of MacMaster’s ex-wife. 

MSP paid MacMaster $9.29 million to settle his civil case.