Who's who in the Penn State child sex abuse scandal
Former Penn State football defensive coordinator Gerald "Jerry" Sandusky was arrested on Nov. 5, 2011 on charges that he preyed on boys he met through The Second Mile, a charity he founded for at-risk youths. Sandusky has been charged with molesting eight young boys between 1994 and 2009. The allegations range from sexual advances to touching to oral and anal sex. The young men testified before a state grand jury that they were in their early teens when some of the abuse occurred; there is evidence even younger children may have been victimized. In all, he is charged with 40 criminal counts. Sandusky's attorney said his client has known about the accusations for about three years and maintains his innocence. His trial began on Monday, June 11, 2012. Sandusky spent three decades at Penn State running the defense.
Joe Paterno, head coach
Head football coach Joe Paterno has been besieged by criticism since former defensive coordinator and one-time heir apparent Jerry Sandusky was charged over the weekend with molesting eight young boys. He was questioned over his apparent failure to follow up on a report of the 2002 incident in which Sandusky allegedly sodomized a 10-year-old boy in the showers at the team's football complex. Under Paterno, Penn State teams have been revered both for winning games, including two national championships, and largely steering clear of trouble. Paterno is the winningest coach in Division I history. Paterno was fired shortly afterwards from his head coaching post at Penn State. He passed away on Jan. 22, 2012.
Mike McQueary
Mike McQueary, receivers coach, recruiting coordinator
In 2002, a graduate assistant saw Sandusky sexually assault a naked boy, who was estimated to be about 10 years old, in a team locker room shower, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General. The grad student and his father reported what he saw to Paterno, who immediately told Curley. Two people familiar with the investigation confirmed the identity of the graduate assistant as Mike McQueary, now the team's wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. The two spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. McQuery took the stand on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, during Sandusky's trial.
Graham Spanier, university president
Penn State University President Graham Spanier testified before the grand jury that Schultz and Curley came to him with a report that a staff member was uncomfortable because he'd seen Sandusky "horsing around" with a boy. Spanier wasn't charged. He was later fired from his position .
Tim Curley, athletic director
Athletic director Tim Curley was accused of perjury for his testimony to the grand jury that issued a 23-page report on the matter, the day before state prosecutors charged him. In it, Curley denied that a graduate assistant had reported anything of a sexual nature, calling it "merely 'horsing around.'" But he also testified that he barred Sandusky from bringing children onto campus and that he advised school president Spanier of the matter. Curley has requested to be placed on administrative leave. He maintains he is innocent of any wrongdoing.
Gary Schultz, senior VP for business and finance
Former school vice president Gary Schultz has stepped down amid allegations of the explosive child-sex abuse scandal and cover-up. Shultz faces a charge of perjury for allegedly lying to the grand jury that presented the charges against Sandusky. Schultz told the jurors he also knew of a 1998 investigation involving sexually inappropriate behavior by Sandusky with a boy in the showers the football team used. Schultz will be going back into retirement, according to Spanier. He maintains he is innocent of any wrongdoing.