Sandusky Does Interview, Proclaims Innocence, But Admits 'I Shouldn't Have Showered' With Kids
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Jerry Sandusky is taking on the biggest defense of his life -- defending his name.
Charged with 40 counts of sexually abusing eight boys, the former Penn State assistant coach said in a telephone interview NBC News' "Rock Center:" "I say that I am innocent of those charges."
Sandusky is accused of having sexual contact with young boys he met through his charity, The Second Mile. The alleged abuse said to have taken place in Penn State locker rooms, Sandusky's home and hotels.
"I could say that I have done some of those things," Sandusky said. "I have horsed around with kids. I have showered after workouts. I have hugged them and I have touched their legs without intent of sexual contact."
Sandusky denied being a pedophile and when asked if he is sexually attracted to young boys, he said, "Am I sexually attracted to underage boys? Sexually attracted? No. I enjoy young people. I love to be around them, but, no, I'm not sexually attracted to young boys."
Sandusky's attorney said his client did nothing out of the ordinary for a man in his position.
"He got showers with kids. That makes him guilty, right? Obviously anybody that gets a shower with a kid who is an adult, has to be guilty of something. But the bottom line is, jocks do that," attorney Joe Amendola told CNN.
Sandusky said he saw nothing wrong with his actions, though he did say he had one regret.
"I shouldn't have showered with those kids," he said.
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The interview came on the same day a New York City charity was being investigated for a possible link to the Penn State scandal.
"The Fresh Air Fund," which sends disadvantaged kids to camps and to volunteer host families across the U.S., is looking into whether Sandusky's home may have been included in those trips.
Also, Monday, the president and CEO of the Second Mile Charity founded by Sandusky resigned. Doctor Jack Raykovitz, who led the group for 28 years, testified before the grand jury that indicted Sandusky.
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