Penn State Rocked by Child Molestation Scandal; 'We Were All Fooled,' Joe Paterno Says

CNS News=AP ^ | 11/7/2011 | Genaro C Armas

[IbJensen]

In his 46 years on the job, coach Joe Paterno has never quite faced a crisis like the one now hovering over Happy Valley like a dark cloud.

Indeed, scandal has hit State College.

Retired Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky has been charged with sexually assaulting eight boys. Paterno's boss, athletic director Tim Curley, and another school administrator, face charges of perjury and failing to report to state and county officials that a witness told them he saw an alleged instance of abuse in 2002.

All at a tradition-rich school which proudly boasts the slogan "Success with Honor."

"If this is true, we were all fooled, along with scores of professionals trained in such things, and we grieve for the victims and their families. They are in our prayers," Paterno in a statement issued Sunday evening by his son, Scott.

Suddenly, Paterno's Hall of Fame credentials are a mere afterthought. Or his 409 career victories — a Division I record. Or the Nittany Lions' 8-1 start that has propelled them to a surprising two-game lead in the Big Ten Leaders Division.

There are much more serious questions to be asked.

"It's shocking and surprising that's it come up, and if it's true then the strongest penalty should be taken against anyone engaged in a cover-up. I think it really is a shame because it is one of the few things that tarnishes Penn State football," said Grant Brown, 18, a freshman from York, as he waited at a bus stop on campus.

Following a hastily-called meeting of school trustees Sunday night, the university accepted Curley's request to be placed on administrative leave to devote time to his defense. Interim senior vice president Gary Schultz will step down and return to retirement for the same reason, the school said.

[Colofornian]

JoePa knew for at least 3 years that Sandusky was a pedophile. This was JoePa’s house! Sandusky may have been an ex-employee but he still had all access to the football facilities including his own office. This was happening in his locker room. Even if the Grad Asst. didn’t share the details JoePa didn’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out what when on in there. This was all about covering for JoePa’s eventual all-time winning record in CFB. That’s why they didn’t fire his but when was losing big time. I guess being a Catholic, JoePa is taking his cues from the Vatican. [bjorn14, #44]

I guess being an asshole, you can’t help Catholic bashing. [karnage, #67]

Nice of your first thread post to identify with the part of the body the victims were being abused, Karnage.

Oh, that's right.

You didn't identify with the victims, did ya?

You only felt the need to identify with part of the identity of the perpetrators, eh?

How "noble" of you...

[Scoutmaster]

Why haven't authorities asked Paterno to turn himself in? Big 10 football coach allowances on the part of law enforcement?

Under 23 Pa. C.S. Section 6311, which is the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law, when a staff member reports abuse, the person in charge of a school or institution must notify the Department of Public Welfare by telephone and in writing within 48 hours.

Joe Paterno isn't the person in charge of Penn State; his obligations to report Sadusky to legal authorities were moral and not legal.

By the way, nobody at Penn State notified the Department of Public Welfare.

[Scoutmaster]

If what you say is true

I won't say that it's true. I will say that it's in the Grand Jury Presentment. It's double-spaced, and pages 6 through 10 should do 'ya. Any more than 6 though 10, and you'll be ready to shut down the Penn State athletic department.

[NewinTexsas]

Joe Paterno isn't the person in charge of Penn State; his obligations to report Sadusky to legal authorities were moral and not legal.

I am sure that JP knew the legal requirements. He remained silent while PSU kept silent and did not report the rape.

[Scoutmaster]

Why no lawsuits vs. Penn State?

Well, they may be coming. You know lawyers, and we're just now finding out that it wasn't only Sandusky sexually abusing boys, but that apparently Penn State officials knew he was doing it and provided him with the facilities in which to do it. So the buzzards are likely circling.

However, the stuff we're talking about is from 2002 and earlier. I don't know whether, under Pennsylvania law, the statute of limitation is tolled until the youth reaches legal age.

We also don't know what additional molestations may have occurred recently. I doubt Sandusky stopped in 2002, and we've now learned that he still had keys to Penn State athletic department buildings until yesterday or today. The Grand Jury Presentment addresses perjury by Penn State officials related to the 2002 incident. Abuse by Sandusky since 2002 wouldn't be addressed in the Presentment, but any victims of abuse since 2002 may have a claim, particularly if the abuse occurred in Penn State athletic department property.

[rabidralph]

Careful, he’s in the Navy, and you’re not gay if you’re a geographical bachelor.

[PA Engineer]

They had tapes of him in 1998 telling a mother that he had molester her son. The case was dropped by the DA. Later the DA turned up missing and his body has never been found.

I do remember something about that. His car was found abandoned with the keys in the ignition. Do you remember his name. Years ago it caught my attention on the local news reports, but I do not remember all of the details.

[PA Engineer]

Found it. Ray Gricar

[ElkGroveDan]

If only football coaches were allowed to marry, none of this would have happened. Oh wait. Never mind.

[conservativguy99]

You’re an idiot.

[IbJensen]

I have no idea what prompted this asinine, sophomoric comment to me, but I daresay the reverse is true.

[IbJensen]

Sandusky buggered young boys.

[Red Badger]

We should have the death penalty for such horrid crimes. It would save the taxpayers money, the victims from years of more anguish, and the other inmates from having to do it for us.........