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Sex Abuse Scandal Rocks Penn State

Former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky charged with 40 counts of sexually abusing boys

By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 6, 2011 10:16 AM CST

(Newser) – Penn State's storied football program is reeling from a sex scandal that touches its top ranks: Longtime former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky was yesterday charged with sexually molesting up to eight boys, and the school's athletic director and a vice president are expected to surrender tomorrow on perjury charges for failing to alert cops to the abuse, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer. A grand jury investigation yielded 40 charges spanning decades against Sandusky—20 of which allegedly took place while he worked for Joe Paterno, and the rest after his retirement in 1999, as he used Penn State facilities for his work with the Second Mile, a foundation for at-risk boys.

"This is a case about a sexual predator who used his position within the university and community to repeatedly prey on young boys," says the state AG. The charges detail a grad student catching Sandusky having sex with a 10-year-old boy in the Penn State locker room, a janitor witnessing him performing oral sex on a boy, and other boys who were showered with gifts so long as they permitted abuse, among others. For a detailed breakdown, see the Patriot-News. Sandusky has been released on $100,000 bail; he could face life in prison.

Former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky is placed in a police car in Bellefonte, Pa., on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011.
Former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky is placed in a police car in Bellefonte, Pa., on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011.   (AP Photo/Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Commonwealth Media Services)
This Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 photo shows Jerry  Sandusky, who is charged with sexually abusing eight young men.
This Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 photo shows Jerry Sandusky, who is charged with sexually abusing eight young men.   (AP Photo/Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General)
Jerry Sandusky, who was arrested Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, on charges that he sexually abused eight young men.
Jerry Sandusky, who was arrested Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, on charges that he sexually abused eight young men.   (AP Photo/Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General)
This Dec. 28, 1999 file photo shows Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky being carried by players Rick Bolinsky (92) and Jason Wallace (88) after the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.
This Dec. 28, 1999 file photo shows Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky being carried by players Rick Bolinsky (92) and Jason Wallace (88) after the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
This undated photo shows Penn State athletic director Tim Curley. Curley is expected to turn himself in on Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, in Harrisburg, Pa.
This undated photo shows Penn State athletic director Tim Curley. Curley is expected to turn himself in on Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, in Harrisburg, Pa.   (AP Photo/Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General)
This undated photo shows Gary Schultz. Schultz, Penn State vice president for finance and business, is expected to turn himself in on Monday, Nov. 7, 2011.
This undated photo shows Gary Schultz. Schultz, Penn State vice president for finance and business, is expected to turn himself in on Monday, Nov. 7, 2011.   (AP Photo/Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General)
In this Aug. 6, 1999 file photo, Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno, right, poses with defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky during Penn State Media Day at State College, Pa.
In this Aug. 6, 1999 file photo, Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno, right, poses with defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky during Penn State Media Day at State College, Pa.   (AP Photo/Paul Vathis, File)
In this photo taken Oct. 29, 2011, Penn State athletic director Tim Curley, left, congratulates head football coach Joe Paterno for his 409th win in State College, Pa.
In this photo taken Oct. 29, 2011, Penn State athletic director Tim Curley, left, congratulates head football coach Joe Paterno for his 409th win in State College, Pa.   (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 16 comments
ohio1989
Nov 6, 2011 3:44 PM CST
Maybe he was practicing to be a priest?
Spudsy
Nov 6, 2011 11:55 AM CST
Sounds like Happy Valley authorities are scrambling to protect Paterno here and it could come back to bite them. "That kicked off a three-year grand jury investigation."  -- I bet they were hoping JoePa would get a clue and retire with some honor or die before they released the news. 
Rammrodd
Nov 6, 2011 10:39 AM CST
Hey, it was always obvious Musky Sandusky had that peculiar "lifestyle" (so trendy, so much in vogue these days); because you could see all the little quirky signs from way up in the cheap seats, without binoculars.
 

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