New Sandusky Accuser Brings First Lawsuit In Penn State Scandal
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — The man who filed the first sex-abuse lawsuit against ex-Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky says he feels tormented after learning others were allegedly abused after him.
The lawsuit identifies the plaintiff, an adult, only as John Doe. He is not among the eight victims mentioned in a grand jury report.
"Sandusky threatened plaintiff and threatened to harm plaintiff's family if plaintiff told anyone about the abuse," the complaint read. "This threat operated to silence the plaintiff and to cause him not to take any action until recently."
The suit claims Sandusky abused the boy at the coach's State College home, at Penn State facilities and on at least one bowl game trip.
The 29-year-old said in a statement: "I am hurting and have been for a long because of what happened, but feel now even more tormented that I have learned of so many other kids."
His lawyer, Jeff Anderson, read the statement as he announced the lawsuit, which accuses Sandusky of sexually abusing the man more than 100 times beginning when he was 10 years old.
Anderson said he believes Sandusky could not control his sexual impulses toward children and harshly criticized officials who failed to report their suspicions.
"We need to address the institutional recklessness and failures," said Anderson, who specializes in clergy sex-abuse lawsuits. "Was it because of power, money, fear, loyalty, lack of education?"
Sandusky has acknowledged showering and embracing young boys but denies molesting them.
According to the lawsuit, Sandusky gave the boy gifts, travel and privileges after meeting him through his charity, The Second Mile, in 1992. The abuse began shortly after and lasted until 1996, the suit said.
The university said it had not yet seen the lawsuit.
The charity said it will respond after reviewing the case, but added: "The Second Mile will adhere to its legal responsibilities throughout this process. As always, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families."
Sandusky is charged with abusing eight boys, some on campus, over 15 years, allegations that were not immediately brought to the attention of authorities even though high-level people at Penn State apparently knew about at least one of them.
The scandal has resulted in the departure of school President Graham Spanier and longtime coach Joe Paterno. 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, and Sandusky is charged with child sex abuse. All maintain their innocence.
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