Gov. Corbett meets with special prosecutor on Sandusky investigation

INQUIRER STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Gov. Corbett has met with a special prosecutor examining his handling of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case while he was attorney general - and why it took so long to bring charges against the former Pennsylvania State University assistant football coach.

Corbett spokeswoman Lynn Lawson said Friday the meeting occurred this week, but she declined to disclose details. News of the sitdown was first reported by the Associated Press.

Attorney General Kathleen Kane, a Democrat, initiated the investigation, and the findings are eagerly anticipated amid Republican Corbett's campaign for a second term.

During her successful 2012 campaign, Kane repeatedly questioned why it took Corbett's office nearly three years to charge Sandusky.

In February 2013, Kane appointed Widener Law School professor and former federal prosecutor Geoff Moulton to lead an investigation. Moulton did not return a phone message, and Kane's spokesman declined to address Corbett's interview.

The Sandusky investigation began while Corbett was attorney general and continued through 2010, when he ran for governor. Sandusky was arrested in November 2011, a year after Corbett's election.

The governor has cited Sandusky's conviction as proof the state investigation was effective. He also has strongly denied suggestions by Kane and others that he didn't want the investigation to become public while he was campaigning.

Corbett said early on he expected to meet with Moulton, but he and his supporters have portrayed Kane's probe as a political witch-hunt.

"Anybody can come in and sit down and Monday morning quarterback decisions, OK?" Corbett said in late 2012. "But for a true investigation, there has to be some criminal act. I know I didn't commit any criminal act. None, zero."

Sandusky was convicted of 45 counts of sexually abusing 10 boys and is serving a 30- to 60-year state prison sentence.