A former defensive coordinator for Penn State faces disturbing accusations of sexually abusing eight boys and these charges also led to charges of perjury to the school’s athletic director and an administrator. Prosecutors say these administrator’s actions protected their sexual predator coach.
The former coach is Jerry Sandusky, 67, and he was cuffed, and booked then released on $100,000 bail after being arraigned on 40 criminal counts. The others involved are AD Tim Curley and a Penn State V.P. Gary Schultz, 62 and both are expected to voluntarily turn themselves in on Monday.
Penn State coach Joe Paterno was not charged but being the head coach, many will wonder if he ever suspected Sandusky of wrong-doing or was ever aware of these incidents prior to the time he reported the abuse to Curley.
After directing his teenage to early twenties squad of defensive players, Sandusky retired in 1999 but continued to work with; you guessed it, children. Sandusky was charged with a laundry list of counts including corruption of minors, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful contact with a minor.
The allegations include oral and anal sex and several of the victims testified they were in their early teens when Sandusky allegedly assaulted them.
While this news contaminates what was perceived as a well-respected program, Sandusky is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday but his lawyer told reporters it would likely be delayed.
Sandusky has suggested he is innocent but Attorney General Linda Kelly called the former coach “a sexual predator who used his position within the university and community to repeatedly prey on young boys.”
If that is proven to be the case; what is expected to be Joe Pa’s final year after decades at Penn State may more be remembered as the year of the sex scandal.
Used with permission of the author.
Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax. With an opinion sharper than an Ovechkin skate blade with the sting of an Ali jab, Donetelli has a loyal cult of readers who have found a way to love him.
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