At least 5 Sandusky accusers expected to testify

A source close to the investigation into sex abuse charges against Jerry Sandusky tells CBS News producer Pat Milton that at least five alleged victims, possibly all of the eight named in the grand jury report, are expected to testify at a preliminary hearing next week.

The Dec. 13 hearing is to determine if there is probable cause established by the state attorney general that a crime was committed.

In a statement Monday, Sandusky's lawyer said he's looking forward to questioning the witnesses against his client.

"Although the preliminary hearing is not a trial, but simply a probable cause proceeding ... we will, for the very first time, have the opportunity to face Jerry's accusers and question them under oath about their allegations," Joe Amendola said.

"We look forward to this opportunity."

Sandusky has been charged with 40 counts of child sex abuse stemming from a grand jury report released last month that alleged the former Penn State football coach had illicit contact with eight young boys over a 15-year span.

In interviews, Sandusky has denied sexually assaulting children but has acknowledged showering with and embracing boys.

Some of the alleged abuse happened on Penn State's campus, including one incident the grand jury said was witnessed by then-graduate assistant Mike McQueary, now an assistant coach. That incident wasn't immediately brought to the attention of authorities even though high-level people at Penn State apparently knew about them.

The scandal has resulted in the ousting of school President Graham Spanier and longtime coach Joe Paterno, and has brought shame to one of college football's legendary programs. Athletic Director Tim Curley has been placed on administrative leave, and Vice President Gary Schultz, who was in charge of the university's police department, has stepped down.

Schultz and Curley are charged with lying to the grand jury and failure to report to police. They maintain their innocence.

Prosecutors allege Sandusky met the victims through The Second Mile, a charity he founded in 1977 to help at-risk children.