Prosecutors Say Sandusky's Lawyer Is Misusing Subpoenas In Penn State Child Abuse Case
By Tony Romeo
BELLEFONTE, Pa. (CBS) -- Prosecutors in the child sex abuse case that brought down Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and the university's president (see related story) have filed a motion claiming that Jerry Sandusky's attorney is improperly using subpoenas in an effort to gather information.
In a motion filed in Centre County Court, the attorney general's office says it believes that Sandusky's attorney has obtained numerous generic subpoena forms from Centre County Court, and has "exploited these forms."
The prosecution contends that the "ostensible subpoenas" have been directed to the state police and its commissioner, among others, and the defense has included the names and dates of birth of alleged victims in an attachment and, in at least one case, a cover letter.
The Commonwealth calls that "spectacular irresponsibility" in the treatment of secret information.
The prosecution contends that this use of subpoena power is "manifestly improper," and asks the court to direct Sandusky's attorney to stop sending out subpoenas and to withdraw those already issued.
Sandusky, a former assistant coach at Penn State, is accused of sexually abusing 10 boys over a 15-year span. He has denied the allegations.
