Penn State hires mediator for Sandusky civil claims

The mediator who managed the Sept. 11 victims-compensation fund and settlements with those affected by the 2010 BP Gulf oil spill has been hired by Pennsylvania State University in the hope of settling the civil claims of Jerry Sandusky's victims.

The university announced Thursday that it had hired Kenneth R. Feinberg to facilitate negotiations for the four current lawsuits and more expected to be filed by those sexually abused by the former assistant football coach.

"We are seeking to make sure we do the right thing in terms of providing a just outcome for the victims," Penn State president Rodney Erickson said in a statement. "We hope to enable a process that will result in settlement of many of the civil cases so that the victims will not have to be drawn through the legal process."

In announcing Feinberg's hiring, Erickson offered the most concrete details yet on the university's plans to resolve the claims.

While the president said within minutes of Sandusky's June conviction that he hoped to begin talks with the former coach's accusers, several attorneys said they had not heard anything from the university until this week.

"While there's been a lot of talk over many months, there hasn't been anything done in a substantial way to help the victims," said Matt Casey, a Philadelphia lawyer who is part of a team representing three Sandusky victims as well as the ex-coach's grown son, Matt, who has also alleged he was abused.

Erickson said Thursday that he hoped negotiations would occur over a three-month period, with most claims resolved by the end of the year.

Michael K. Rozen, Feinberg's law partner, said Thursday that while they had not yet had a chance to begin talks with lawyers representing the eight Sandusky victims who testified at his trial, he and Feinberg hoped to reach out to them in the coming days.

So far, only one of those victims has filed suit, though nearly all have retained attorneys. Three others who were not among those prosecutors called to the stand have also sued the university.

"This is facilitation and nothing more," Rozen said. "Ultimately, it is up to Penn State and the victims and their attorneys whether any settlements will be approved."

Feinberg and Rozen have also been involved in settlements for the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre, and led the Obama administration's Troubled Asset Relief Program executive compensation program.

Sandusky, 68, awaits sentencing Oct. 9 on 45 counts of child sex abuse.

Two Penn State administrators - suspended athletic director Tim Curley and retired vice president Gary Schultz - are scheduled for trial in January on charges that they did not do enough when first notified of allegations against Sandusky.

at 267-564-5218 or jroebuck@phillynews.com,

or follow on Twitter @jeremyrroebuck.

We invite you to comment on this story by clicking here. Comments will be moderated.