Freeh Report Finds PSU Officials Concealed Facts About Abuse
PHILADELPHIA (KDKA) -- Former FBI Director Louis Freeh is out today with a report on how Penn State officials handled the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case.
In the lengthy report, Freeh singled out the men at the top of the university, saying they covered up the alleged actions with a "callous and shocking" disregard for the child victims.
"In order to avoid the consequences of bad publicity, the most powerful leaders at Penn State University, Messrs. Spanier, Schultz, Paterno and Curley, repeatedly concealed critical facts relating to Sandusky's child abuse from the authorities, the Board of Trustees, the Penn State community and the public at large," said Freeh during a news conference Thursday.
MORE:
- Read The Report
- Read Louis Freeh's Full Comments
- Watch The News Conference
- PSU Board of Trustees' Reaction
- Attorney General's Statement On The Report
- Paterno Family Reaction
It is the conclusion of the report that Paterno was aware of a 1998 investigation of a molestation allegation. The investigation resulted in no charges initially, but ended up resulting in a conviction in last month's Sandusky trial.
A Centre County jury convicted Sandusky of 45 of 48 counts in June.
According to the Freeh Report, Paterno followed the investigation closely unlike what he told the grand jury.
But Freeh says Paterno was not alone.
During the news conference, Freeh added: "Our most saddening and sobering finding is the total disregard for the safety and welfare of Sandusky's child victims by the most senior leaders at Penn State. The most powerful men at Penn State failed to take any steps for 14 years to protect the children who Sandusky victimized. Messrs. Spanier, Schultz, Paterno and Curley never demonstrated, through actions or words, any concern for the safety and well-being of Sandusky's victims until after Sandusky's arrest."
The committee also released new emails from administrators considering both the 1998 and 2001 incidents.
KDKA's Harold Hayes reports that one administrator wondered if they were opening "a Pandora's box." They also revealed negotiations regarding Sandusky's retirement in 1999, one year after the initial allegations.
But Freeh said he found no connection between the two; however, an attorney who represents some of the victims filing suits in the case, said he does see a connection.
In a statement, Tim King - the vice president of the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association - said:
"As is the rest of the University community, we are digging into every last word of the Freeh report looking for the means to ensure that such acts never take place again.
"On a personal level the portrait painted by the report does not match the Joe Paterno that I have come to know personally over the last 35 years."
RELATED LINKS:
The Freeh Report on Pennsylvania State University
Freeh Report: "Total Disregard For The Safety And Welfare Of Sandusky's Child Victims" (7/12/12)
More Jerry Sandusky News
Other Related Penn State News
