Lawyer: Sandusky not considering a plea deal

Jerry Sandusky's lawyer on Thursday dismissed as "completely unfounded" suggestions that the former football coach may consider pleading guilty to charges that he molested at least eight boys.

"Jerry and I have had no discussions about any sort of deal in his case," lawyer Joseph Amendola said. "He has always maintained his innocence and continues to do so as we prepare for his preliminary hearing."

Amendola issued the statement after the Harrisburg Patriot-News quoted him saying that Sandusky, the former defensive coordinator at Pennsylvania State University, might consider a plea deal "if more allegations come forth and Jerry gets to the point where he realizes fighting against more than the original allegations might be a real uphill battle."

Amendola said his remarks were in response to a hypothetical question as to how his legal strategy might change if 15 or 20 new accusers came forward.

"My answer to the 'what-if' question was analogous to saying, if weather forecasters were predicting a blizzard next week, which they are not, I would have to at least consider the possibility of postponing my scheduled trip to Philadelphia," Amendola said. "Of course, I'd have to reconsider the trip under those circumstances, just as I would have to discuss with Jerry all the possible alternatives in his case if the (Attorney General) were to file additional charges."

Prosecutors have not added charges or confirmed the existence of new victims since Sandusky's Nov. 5 arrest. But lawyers and others familiar with the investigation say reports about the case have spurred new accusers to come forward.

One is a 29-year-old man who on in Philadelphia on Wednesday filed the first lawsuit against Sandusky, the university and the Second Mile, Sandusky's charity for underprivileged boys where prosecutors say he targeted several of his victims.

That plaintiff, identified in court papers only as John Doe A, said the former coach molested him more than 100 times between 1992 and 1996. His lawyer, Jeff Anderson, said the man reported to allegations to law enforcement authorities this week.

Attorneys from at least three other firms claim to be representing potential victims of Sandusky. They include Philadelphia-area lawyers Mark J. Boni and Slade H. McLaughlin; and State College lawyer Andrew Shubin, and Harrisburg attorney Ben Andreozzi.

On Thursday, Andreozzi said he had reached a settlement with the Second Mile that would prevent it from selling assets or closing without a court order and notifying potential victims.

The Second Mile confirmed the settlement, noting that it didn't include any findings of liabilities. In a statement, the foundation also said it was continuing to operate all its programs.

"This settlement will preserve the assets of the Second Mile, and allow these victims to have a voice before any assets are transferred," said Andreozzi.

He said he and lawyer Jeffrey Fritz planned to file a lawsuit for at least two potential victims.

Also Thursday, Penn State also announced it would donate $1.5 million for a partnership with two organizations that run sex-assault prevention and response programs.

"As a University and as people within a caring community we believe it is essential to take a deeper look at the core issue of child sexual abuse and to openly acknowledge the scope of the problem," University President Rodney Erickson said.

The money, which will come from revenues the school collects as a member of The Big Ten Athletic Conference, will be used to fund a partnership with Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

The announcement came one day after the school and its administrators held an open town hall with students to discuss the scandal and its impacts.

Staff writer Jeremy Roebuck contributed to this article.

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