PSU's "humane" email
The timing of news that Penn State officials felt it would be "humane" not to tell authorities about allegations regarding Jerry Sandusky is curious.
PSU's "humane" email
John Baer, Daily News Political Columnist
Timing -- in life, politics and criminal trials -- very often is everything.
So it's interesting that on the first day of Jerry Sandusky's criminal trial in Bellefonte Monday, NBC reported that a Penn State internal investigation uncovered emails among top university officials that suggest there was indeed a cover-up of Sandusky's alleged child abuse.
And who heads that internal probe? That would be former FBI director Louis Freeh, which might explain why a national news outlet got the story first. You leak to those you know.
The emails were between then-PSU Prez Graham Spanier and two other officials who already are charged with perjury in the case, former athletic Tim Curley and former senior VP Gary Schultz.
NBC reported the PSU brass decided it would be "humane" not to tell law enforcement about a 2001 incident involving Sandusky's alleged sexual abuse of a boy in a football locker room shower.
Spanier, ousted by the university's board along with Joe Paterno, sued Penn State to get his emails. I guess now we know why.
The email story seemingly strengthens the case against Curley and Schultz and appears to put Spanier in the crosshairs of indictment.
(Last month, it was reported Spanier's 2011 Penn State compensation package was $1.1 million.)
And the timing of the email leak, including word Freeh immediatley turned it over to the state attoryney general, suggests Penn State wants to show it is indeed making every effort to clean up its mess and get the story over with, while also offering at least some distraction from coverage of Sandusky's trial.
The university in April hired one of the world's largest PR firms, Edelman, for $2.5 million. No way this email revelation isn't partly PR.
Now start looking into the relationship between Spanier and Rendell. You will probably find some interesting issues like the reason why Rendell would not give Corbett more than one State Police investigator for the Sandusky investigation and grand jury.— Tired of Journos- Now start looking into the relationship between Spanier and Rendell. You will probably find some interesting issues like the reason why Rendell would not give Corbett more than one State Police investigator for the Sandusky investigation and grand jury.— Tired of Journos
- Now start looking into the relationship between Spanier and Rendell. You will probably find some interesting issues like the reason why Rendell would not give Corbett more than one State Police investigator for the Sandusky investigation and grand jury.— Tired of Journos
- Now start looking into the relationship between Spanier and Rendell. You will probably find some interesting issues like the reason why Rendell would not give Corbett more than one State Police investigator for the Sandusky investigation and grand jury.— Tired of Journos
- Now start looking into the relationship between Spanier and Rendell. You will probably find some interesting issues like the reason why Rendell would not give Corbett more than one State Police investigator for the Sandusky investigation and grand jury.— Tired of Journos
- As a powerful "state employee" was Spanier operating under a "divine right of kings" mentality? It seems so, did he believe that he could ignore what appears to have been a legal and moral responsibility to make these events known to local police. Was plausible deniability at the core of the apparent conspiracy? What was the state of the fact-finding efforts? The allegations they were dealing with demanded follow-up and harsh actions...not "humane" deference!!! So many questions....give us all a break.— jim from WC
- It's time for a RICO investigation. These people really do beleive they are above the law. Much like members of the clergy and the Church that covered up this sort of stuff. An example needs to be made of these wolves in sheeps clothing. Throw them all in jail for life if they are found guilty.— Phishface
Comment removed.- A lack of institutional control...NCAA violation of the highest order— defiore14
- Forget Rendell, Corbett was attorney general he is responsible for stalling the investigation. He needs to be held accountable both legally and civilly.— The One Who Knows
- And Gary Schultz is the father in law of the owner of Scott's Landscaping in Centre County who has received millions of dollars of Penn State contracts !— Gringo4
- A 1969 grad with two sons who are grads ! The change from The Pennsylvania Sate University to Penn State was huge. They were so concerned about getting faculty and administrators from every country on the planet and other institutions, they never hired people with common sense and integrity. Spanier is exhibit A ... above the law !— Gringo4
- Spanier is already on a Fed payroll. He shredded any important files looooong ago, and got rewarded for being a good cleaner. There ain't gonna be nothing more than slaps on the wrist for Spanier and Schultz. Hopefully there are some reporters out there who can show enough balls that these kids have during this trial and uncover some truths about the higher ups. Keep asking questions, and somebody who was left out of the party will fess up.— UnaBlogger
- Wow. All that talk about Honor,Integrity and Charity was BS. Penn State was complicit in running and protecting a child sex slave operation.
Governor Corbert has direct ties and links to this perversion, he was the Attorney General. How does he plan to square this with the public?
— Dexter
John is the author of the book "On The Front Lines of Pennsylvania Politics: Twenty-Five Years of Keystone Reporting" (The History Press, 2012). Reach John at baerj@phillynews.com.
