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Pennsylvania State University, its football program and two senior administrators are facing a growing scandal over allegations of sex abuse by the former defensive coordinator of the team. On Sunday night, the university announced the resignations of two senior officials implicated for allegedly not reporting the sex abuse and charged with lying about what they knew.
Pennsylvania authorities have charged Gerald Sandusky, the former defensive coordinator, with 40 counts related to alleged sexual abuse of young boys, including incidents that are said to have taken place on university grounds. Two other officials -- Tim Curley, the athletics director, and Gary Schultz, the senior vice president for finance and business -- were charged with perjury (for allegedly lying about what they know about Sandusky) and for failing to report to authorities an incident that was reported to them. All three officials have denied wrongdoing.
A statement from Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly said: "This is a case about a sexual predator who used his position within the university and community to repeatedly prey on young boys. It is also a case about high-ranking university officials who allegedly failed to report the sexual assault of a young boy after the information was brought to their attention, and later made false statements to a grand jury that was investigating a series of assaults on young boys."
On Saturday, Graham Spanier, president of Penn State, issued a statement that did not offer a view of the charges against Sandusky, but that strongly supported Curley and Schultz. "The allegations about a former coach are troubling, and it is appropriate that they be investigated thoroughly. Protecting children requires the utmost vigilance," Spanier said. "With regard to the other presentments, I wish to say that Tim Curley and Gary Schultz have my unconditional support. I have known and worked daily with Tim and Gary for more than 16 years. I have complete confidence in how they have handled the allegations about a former university employee. Tim Curley and Gary Schultz operate at the highest levels of honesty, integrity and compassion. I am confident the record will show that these charges are groundless and that they conducted themselves professionally and appropriately."
But on Sunday night, Penn State's board announced that Curley and Schultz would leave their positions to focus on defending themselves. Further, the board announced plans for an investigation into the university's policies and procedures for the protection of children. Steve Garban, chair of the board, released this statement: "The board, along with the entire Penn State family, is shocked and saddened by the allegations involving former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Under no circumstances does the university tolerate behavior that would put children at risk, and we are deeply troubled."
