Former Penn State president Graham Spanier charged in Sandusky scandal
Graham Spanier, the former president of Penn State University, is going to have his day in court for his role in the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal.
Spanier was charged Thursday with perjury, two counts of endangering the welfare of children, obstruction of justice, failure to report a crime, and conspiracy. Three of the charges are felonies.
"This was not a mistake, oversight or misjudgment," Pennsylvania attorney general Linda Kelly told Sara Ganim of the Patriot-News. "This was a conspiracy by top officials at Penn State."
Sandusky's abuse dated back to 1994, but the case did not come to light until Nov. 5, 2011, and Spanier and late coach Joe Paterno were fired in the wake of the scandal. On June 22, 2012, Sandusky was found guilty on 45 of 48 charges against him, including 25 felonies and 20 misdemeanors.
On Oct. 9, 2012, Sandusky was sentenced to no fewer than 30 years in prison and no more than 60.
Former athletic director Tim Curley and former vice president for business and finance Gary Schultz also were charged Thursday with endangering the welfare of children, obstruction and conspiracy. The two men were already facing charges of lying to the grand jury and child abuse. Both are due in court in January.
Spanier, who was removed as university president on Nov. 9, 2011, has been steadfast in denying knowing anything about Sandusky's sexual abuse against young boys.
"Never in my time as president of Penn State did I ever — ever once — receive a report from anyone that suggested that Jerry Sandusky was involved in any child abuse, in any sexual abuse, in any criminal act," Spanier said back in August.
But the Freeh Report, which was commissioned by the university, revealed emails among administrators — including Spanier, Curley, Schultz and Paterno - that detailed Sandusky's abuse, including the account of then-GA Mike McQueary, who saw Sandusky abusing a young boy in the Penn State locker room showers.
Spanier also was involved in an email from Curley that said they should not report Sandusky to authorities, but instead ask him not to bring children onto campus, and to seek outside help.
Spanier's lawyers — like Paterno's family — have disputed the Freeh Report.
Sandusky's conviction was just the beginning of a long process to ultimately get the victims of his abuse a measure of justice.
- - -
Got a tip for Dr. Saturday? Email us at dr.saturday@ymail.com. You can also connect with us via Twitter @YahooDrSaturday and be sure to "Like" Dr. Saturday on Facebook for football conversations and stuff you won't see on the blog.
