Penn State ex-president Graham Spanier: Freeh report on sex scandal is wrong

Craig Houtz / Reuters file

Former Penn State University President Graham Spanier, left, and former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, attend the Second Mile Celebrity Golf Classic, in State College, Pennsylvania, in 1997.

The Penn State University president forced to step down by the sexual abuse scandal that rocked the school on his watch broke his silence about the ordeal in an exclusive interview with The New Yorker this week.

Graham Spanier, 65, said he "is in a mode of substantial grief about what happened to those kids," referring to children sexually assaulted by former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. But Spanier told The New Yorker that he rejected the damning assessment in the Freeh report laying out how university officials failed to stop Sandusky from sexually abusing boys on school property.

"The Freeh report is wrong, it’s unfair, it is deeply flawed, it has many errors and omissions," said Spanier, speaking to New Yorker reporter Jeffrey Toobin. "They interviewed, they say, over four hundred and thirty people; many of those folks have spoken to me about their interviews. Many of them describe those interviews to me as a witch-hunt."


Sandusky, 68, was arrested in November 2011 on charges that he sexually abused boys as young as 10, many of them encountered through his charitable foundation for disadvantaged youth, Second Mile. Sandusky was found guilty of 45 counts of child sexual abuse. He is in jail awaiting sentencing.

The Freeh report, released July 12, looked into the role of individuals and the institution of Penn State in failing to stop Sandusky. It focused on two incidents — a 1998 sexual abuse complaint that was investigated by police and a 2001 eyewitness report of Sandusky apparently involved in sexual activity with a 10- to 12-year-old boy in a shower.

The 276-page report on the findings from a special investigation led by former FBI Director Louis Freeh named Spanier one of "the four most powerful people" at Penn State "who failed to protect against a child sexual predator harming children for over a decade."

The other three are former head football coach Joe Paterno, who died in January, former Penn State vice president Gary Schultz and former university athletic director Timothy Curley — both of whom are charged with failing to report the allegations of sexual abuse by Sandusky, and of committing perjury when questioned by a grand jury. Their trials are expected to begin in early 2013.

Spanier was forced to step down as president but remains on staff as a tenured professor in the Sociology Department. He is not charged with anything.

According to the Freeh report, however, "Spanier failed in his duties as president" in handling reports related to Sandusky. It said Spanier and others "repeatedly concealed critical facts relating to Sandusky’s child abuse from the authorities, the University’s Board of Trustees, the Penn State community, and the public at large."

Related content:

Penn State, now led by Rodney Erickson, accepted Freeh’s findings in their entirety.

In the lengthy interview with The New Yorker, Spanier, said he can recall only one substantive conversation with Sandusky in his career. He disputes that he had any knowledge of sexual abuse, maintaining that the incident had been presented to him as unseemly "horseplay" in the shower, and then handled without apparent need of his intervention.

"I never, ever heard anything about child abuse or sexual abuse or my antennae raised up enough to even suspect that," Spanier said in the interview, who maintained that the email cited in the Freeh report was taken out of context to support a false conclusion.

He rejected the notion of a cover-up.

"I’m very stunned by Freeh’s conclusion that — I don’t think he used the word 'cover-up,' but he uses the word 'concealed.' I’m totally stunned by that, because why on earth would we? There’s no logic to it. Why on earth would anybody cover up for a known child predator? Adverse publicity? For heaven’s sake."

In the wake of the Sandusky scandal, Paterno was forced out and died shortly thereafter. In the New Yorker interview, Spanier lauded the late coach for his integrity. 

"He had tremendous energy, he had great enthusiasm for life, he had tremendous integrity, and I would say this to anybody — he was tough on the rules. He was always trying to do the right thing," Spanier said, according to The New Yorker.

After the release of the Freeh report, the NCAA fined Penn State’s football program $60 million — roughly the amount the team has earned annually — to be applied to fighting child abuse. The college athletic governing association also cut the number of football scholarships Penn State can offer in coming years and erased more than a decade worth of football victories from the official record. That meant Paterno was no longer the winningest football coach ever.

Spanier told The New Yorker that Penn State’s decision to accept the Freeh report conclusions was probably an effort on the part of the university to put the scandal behind them as soon as possible.

"Unfortunately, what the university did was to accept the report. Not to receive it, which I think an organization would generally do, but to accept it. By accepting the report, the N.C.A.A. and the Big Ten then said, well, if the university accepts this report, we accept it, so we don’t need to do an investigation. They’ve signed an agreement with us saying it’s a done deal, we accept it, and they imposed the most severe set of penalties in the history of athletics." 

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Good gravy, this was done, put behind us and yet another collaborater is going to try and revive his reputation, but only remind us all of what a bunch of scum sucking leaches ruled Penn State. We get it, a former FBI director has it in for you and that you love kids.... blah, blah, blah

  • 43 votes
#1 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:46 PM EDT

I am with you Scott.

The longer we hang out in this gutter the longer we hang out in this gutter. Time to move on and work for a better future, using what we have learned. Grand-dad said, "Use the lesson to live, don't keep living the lesson". But I guess there are those that just have to have the drama.

  • 12 votes
#1.1 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:05 PM EDT

agreed..... Paterno, instead of simply dialing 911 on the spot, called Spanier and together they covered it up for a decade while kids were getting raped...

maybe this low life has convinced himself he's not to blame.... but everyone knows the truth

  • 37 votes
#1.3 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:29 PM EDT

Unlike most people who comment on this, I have actually read the Freeh report. While I am not defending Spanier, I did find that the report was filled with conclusions that were not supported by any evidence. This was particularly true when it came to Paterno. There were conclusions reached by Freeh that were completely unsupported by any evidence and appeared to be based solely on opinion and innuendo. Many of the things that Freeh tried to pass off as facts were not facts, they were opinions - at least from what Freeh presented in the report. The report was far below the standards that I would have expected from a former top law enforcement official. If the Freeh report were to be taken before a judge and presented as evidence the person doing so would get laughed out of court. The most telling thing in the report is the virtual free pass he gives to McQueary, who changed his story about what he told who and when so many times that he is completely not credible as a witness. Freeh seems to take only McQueary's latest version as having any weight and glosses over the major inconsistencies and changes in his story. The report is largely a collection of Freehs conclusions based on his own opinions, not a document that presents provable facts.

  • 23 votes
#1.4 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:35 PM EDT

You said it all. I have nothing to add. Now this slime ball needs to just go away, disappear, vamoose.

  • 11 votes
#1.5 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:41 PM EDT

JS in SD,

There were conclusions reached by Freeh

There is something you have to understand regarding the report. Tho the report has Freeh's name on it because he IS the head of the company and the law firm HIRED and PAID by PSU to do the investigation, and the company was given total access to servers (that's how they got years old email) and papers, as well as people to interview, the report was NOT solely written by Louis Freeh himself. It was a collaborative effort by all attorneys involved in the investigation. You have to understand how an investigation of this size and magnitude is handled. It's NOT one person that does it - it's the entire team and firm. Once all data is assembled, then the report is written according to what they have in hand. But it was NOT written solely by one person.

  • 15 votes
#1.6 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:51 PM EDT

So JS, when did you graduate from Penn State?

  • 13 votes
#1.8 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:09 PM EDT

@Everyone who says Freesh report is "accurate" and is the final word -

Please read- this idiot Freesh also investigated FIFA president. Guess what- he found him guilty- and guess what else, he was found not guilty. So yes.. Freesh is an idiot

  • 4 votes
#1.9 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:40 PM EDT

@Bluelake- read this article about another report Freesh did - as JS pointed out, FIFA was laughed out of court..

  • 2 votes
#1.10 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:43 PM EDT

Thank you 'JS in SD' for being one of the very few sane people to post regarding the Freeh Report, and its exaggerated assumptions. If anything the press should have been all over McQueary for his lack of consistency regarding what he actually did or did not see on that night.

  • 10 votes
#1.11 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:02 PM EDT

This is exactly why this school needs to be shut down.

These so called people sheltered and covered up the rape of little boys. By covering it up they enabled the rape. They are just as guilty and they all NEED to spend the rest of their pathetic lives behind bars.

  • 12 votes
#1.12 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:06 PM EDT

I have read the report and found the conclusions regarding Paterno to be justified. It was a report, by the way, not a criminal trial transcript. Paterno was there. He knew what was going on. He was not a dummy. Enough said.

  • 15 votes
#1.13 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:09 PM EDT

Dorothy of oz Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, it's Paterno. Just click your heels and it will all go away, unless you are one of the abused kids.

  • 6 votes
#1.14 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:48 PM EDT

@oldhamletman Dialing 911 on campus will get you the University Park Police Department.

The University Park Police Department was overseen by Gary Schultz - the very man Paterno's superior Tim Curley went to.

So by your logic, he did call 911. It's amazing how we're still going after the obvious "big name", and not turning our attention to where the actual problem lies - in completely inept law enforcement.

But we live in a simple-minded, black-and-white, knee-jerk reaction society, looking for the easiest solution possible, so obviously the media won't be interested.

  • 4 votes
#1.15 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 10:03 PM EDT

Penn State got off too easy............I don't like USC but they paid dearly for Reggie and the money............this one pales against Penn State. Penn State go off too easy.

  • 5 votes
#1.16 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 10:47 PM EDT

maintaining that the incident had been presented to him as unseemly "horseplay" in the shower, and then handled without apparent need of his intervention.

Yet someone else that feels it's ok for grown men to shower with young boys? Time to look into THIS mans past too, imo.

  • 6 votes
#1.17 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 1:09 AM EDT

I really don't want to hear Spanier or any other Penn State faculty loser whine that they got a raw deal as long as a District Attorney remains missing. Someone from either the Penn State or State College community may well have taken the ultimate step of committing MURDER to protect the Penn State brand, something we may never know for certain, since the missing DA sure isn't talking !!!

The bottom line at the very least is that people at Penn State, INCLUDING Spanier and the late Coach Paterno, knew bad things were happening to children and failed to step up, resulting in at least an additional decade of a child predator victimizing little boys. Time will reveal how far they went to protect their football program and brand, but ONE CHILD being molested when it could have been prevented is too far in my mind.

I look forward to all of those guilty of allowing children to be victimized by Jerry Sandusky being held accountable and hope that one day the mystery of the missing DA is solved and that if he was murdered, those behind it or who knew about it are locked away !!

  • 5 votes
#1.18 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 1:32 AM EDT

"He was always trying to do the right thing" Really? and the comment that Joe Pa kind of, sorta, called people tied to campus police is complete B.S. Calling and reporting a crime is not just like calling your boss who talks to the guy who is in charge. People making excuses for the FACT that they were well aware of not one, but two allegations and did nothing but cover their own butts. Paterno was more loyal to Penn State than humanity. Thus failing in his "trying to do the right thing".

  • 3 votes
#1.19 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 9:24 AM EDT

Hummmmmmmmmmmmm .... I to read the Freeh report and agree with JS in SD, Dorothy of Oz, and in essence, JKLD with the following exception .... Louis Freeh put his name on the document and accepted responsibility for its factuality.

There is a element here that I would suggest that all thinking persons consider ..... It's simply "Perspective"

We as human being don't see & hear things the same .... we are not in the same positions ... if you look at a building from the rear you see a totally different image than someone else viewing the identical structure from the front, and a totally different image from a person viewing it from the air. If you came together and told each other what you had seen, each of you would disagree as to what the building was & what it really looked like at all ..... none of you would have been being dishonest in your "vision" or conclusions, just different and in the long run, you may be wrong about the some of the conclusions you drew from the perspective you had. ..

Thats why hindsight always appears to be more accurate ....

I respectfully ask that when you consider "perspective" before you condemn the actors in this drama .

I too believe that the Freeh Report is inflammatory and filled with conclusion not supported by the evidence ...

  • 1 vote
#1.20 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 11:06 AM EDT

I don't need to read a single word of the Freeh report, and wont. There have been hundreds of stories by a number of experienced investigative reporters on this story. I have watched Bob Costas' interview with Sandusky and seen other video clips of the man. I can make my own judgement with plenty of documentation available. You Penn State fans can parse this all you want but it will not change a thing. A jury of his peers convicted this man of horrendous crimes against children without reference to opinions and inferences and supposition. Paterno and all these administrators are dirty and culpable and all the bloviation coming from their acolytes proves nothing to the contrary.

  • 2 votes
#1.21 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 1:53 PM EDT

BTW: for all the people who are condemning Mr. Freeh and relating what happened with his FIFA report to this, the FIFA has just suspended the ex-president, again, on issues related to financial mismanagement and bribery. Those are exactly the things Freeh investigated in the first place.

It should be noted that in both cases the reports being prepared were meant to find facts and draw conclusions. They are not intended to be transcripts of cross-examined witness statements taken under oath. By their very nature they have a certain degree of speculation or conjecture. The conclusions reached, however, are well within the scope of the investigations and fully supported by the information gathered.

I would not expect that Spanier, who is facing possible criminal charges, would approve of the report.

Spanier's reputation in academia is gone. He threw it away when he supported Sandusky and the football program over the protection of children. Now he is just hoping to stay out of jail.

  • 3 votes
#1.22 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 4:43 PM EDT

Jopa was a narcissistic coward.

It was all about his "legacy" and his "legend" it had nothing to do with PSU .....

(Pedophile Sanctuary "University").

Football was only the vehicle which this pedophile enabler utilized to carve his niche in the world. Had he retired when he should have, 20 years prior to the events, instead of chasing glory for himself and himself only, he would not have been present when the sick crimes occurred and would have been beyond reproach.

Football obviously has become larger than life in some corners, where idiots put on make-up , dress in costumes, wear shirts with the names of other men on the back and froth at the mouth in support of "their" team. In a vain attempt to fill the emptiness inside, they turn to entertainment like a moth turns to the light.

Their advanced state of Personality Vacuum Disorder moves them to adhere to base tribal identification notions and hero worship complexes. This explains why we witness people coming forward in defense of the narcissistic coward and the co-horts who also used their power to ensure that children continued getting raped.

Their whole sense of self is centered around the "institution" and the personalities carved into the top of the totem pole there. An attack on any part or portion of the above,is perceived in their dim witted brains as a personal attack on them.

Ironically, if they had done the correct thing, that any decent human being would have done.... and ended this sickness with a phone call, or in the case of the masses of asses, simply denounced it, instead of defending the abhorrent corruption, they would never have been the target of personal attacks such as this one.

When a person is a sheep, with no identity, who surrenders his or her ability to think and reason to others who only exist to glorify themselves, and you multiply this sheep by a large number, you have a situation where terrible things can occur.

I'm sure Jpoa made it a point to pass by his statue and admire his visage as often as possible, without making it obvious that he was a total and complete narcissist. He didn't give a *uck about you, the moth-like sheep who supports him and defends what you conceptualize as his "honor"..............

In his final act of cowardice, he chose to give up and die, instead of face the fallout and consequences of his actions and omissions. He let go of this life in a weak shriveled response to the scenario.

So fitting it is that his true legacy will be as the narcissistic pedophile enabling coward that he was, instead of a hero who had statue made and buildings named after him.

Looking forward to visiting "happy Valley" some day and pissing on his grave.

  • 1 vote
#1.23 - Sat Aug 25, 2012 12:31 PM EDT
Reply

"Why on earth would anybody cover up for a known child predator?" How about to save your job, Spanier? How about to keep the millions in donations and income from the football program? How about to maintain Paterno's god-like status?

I am a Penn State parent, and disgusted by the lack of leadership in both the PSU football program and the university in general. When a whiff of abuse was detected, NOTHING was done. NO one even tried to check on those boys to see if they were alright or in need of help.

  • 25 votes
Reply#2 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:54 PM EDT

So true. Even if he is telling the truth, not checking into a report of naked horseplay between an adult and preteen makes him far too stupid and clueless to teach let alone run a school.

  • 6 votes
#2.1 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:22 PM EDT

Spanier knew. Spanier knew. Paterno knew. Patreno knew.

The only question yet to be asked is if Spanier and Paterno participated in the molestation of these boys with Sandusky.

That question MUST be asked and answered.

  • 2 votes
#2.2 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:32 PM EDT

The only question yet to be asked is if Spanier and Paterno participated in the molestation of these boys with Sandusky.

Don't make stupid, boneheaded comments.

    #2.3 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 10:17 PM EDT

    It makes you wonder when they are going to be widespread prosecutions of Catholic Officials. After all, what they did makes this case look minor league.

    • 1 vote
    #2.4 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 6:30 AM EDT

    At least the university did take some action against those who didn't take action when they should have, unlike the Catholic Church.

    • 1 vote
    #2.5 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 7:49 AM EDT

    Every Catholic priest, bishop or archbishop that knowingly protected child molesters should be in jail.

    • 3 votes
    #2.6 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 8:52 AM EDT

    nutgrape & George E.: How about Monsignor Lynn or Bishop Lahey ?

      #2.7 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 5:20 PM EDT
      Reply

      Mr. Spanier,

      It's easy to say the Freeh report is wrong. A little evidence to support that assertion might be in order.

      • 12 votes
      Reply#3 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:55 PM EDT

      Denver, Isn't there a flaw in this argument? Shouldn't the evidence need to prove his guilt not his innocence? Freeh report flashes those infamous e-mails but none of them necessarily prove the awful claims thrown around by the general public. I think we've all been watching a little too much Law & Order thinking we've seen this episode before. We are so quick to throw these men's names into the gutter, and refuse to give them a breath to explain. I'd love to move on from this ugly incident too, but not at the expense of dragging potentially innocent men's lives through the gutter. Look's like we'll need to wait a little longer.

      • 7 votes
      #3.1 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:35 PM EDT

      JB6824:

      Spanier isn't charged with anything, the Freeh report is simply an investigation funded by the University.

      • 3 votes
      #3.2 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:42 PM EDT

      jb- The Freeh report is not a criminal trial. He is not a defendant being prosecuted by Mr Freeh. This is the court of public opinion. And in this court, yes, you do need to present evidence, and no, you are NOT innocent until proven guilty.

      • 5 votes
      #3.3 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:44 PM EDT

      Michael,

      I appreciate your honesty in terms of how vicious you really are, but that still is an amazing thing to say. From your perspective, in the "court of public opinion" anything goes. Wow!

      So how long have you been cheating on your taxes? I want to be clear that I have no evidence of wrong doing on your part, but according to you that doesn't matter.

      • 3 votes
      #3.4 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:59 PM EDT

      You're right. It is being judged by public opinion, but I believe our court system uses the "Innocent until proven guilty" for a reason. Because it is morally right. It gives every defendant an opportunity. I just wish more of the general public would use it during their own critical thinking. To me there isn't much that is more frightening than an angry mob with pitchforks that has rushed to conclusions.

      • 5 votes
      #3.5 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:02 PM EDT

      jb6824

      Denver, Isn't there a flaw in this argument? Shouldn't the evidence need to prove his guilt not his innocence?

      Guilt or innocence (actually, "not guilty") is decided in a court of law. Freeh was charged with creating the "Report of Special Investigative Counsel Regarding the Actions of the Pennsylvania State University Related to the Child Sexual Abuse Committed by Gerald A. Sandusky." Since Freeh was not acting in any capacity as a member of a judicial body, guilt is not the issue. Freeh concluded that Spanier didn't do everything he could have or should have. Having seen the report, I tend to agree with those conclusions. Regardless of my beliefs, Spanier is the one who disputes the findings of the report. Therefore, it is Spanier's responsibility to show proof why he thinks Freeh's conclusions are erroneous.

      • 3 votes
      #3.6 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:04 PM EDT

      You don't seem to get it. The entire Freeh Reort is essentially premised upon assumptions, and little if any facts.

      • 5 votes
      #3.7 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:06 PM EDT

      Sandusky was found guilty by a group of his peers. The other guility ones are the ones at the UofPenn that lied to a grand jury about their knowledge of it.

      I think it is a big deal lying to a Grand Jury especially when the lying was to cover the ass of a life long pedophile. No one fixing grades or stealing pencils. It was an investigation into child molestation on and off the campus of the University of Penn.

      Good Heavens...who would do that? Those people now squeeling about Freesh's report are. They're as bad as Sandusky for covering it up.

      • 5 votes
      #3.8 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:14 PM EDT

      If McQueary had actually been specific maybe the follow up would have occurred. I still fault him for his vague and waffling statements. He should have pounded the perpertrator

      • 1 vote
      #3.10 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 6:18 AM EDT

      Dorothy of Oz

      You don't seem to get it. The entire Freeh Reort is essentially premised upon assumptions, and little if any facts.

      A bold (and broad) statement. Can you point to two assumptions contained in the report that you disagree with?

        #3.11 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 7:17 AM EDT

        jb- The Freeh report is not a criminal trial. He is not a defendant being prosecuted by Mr Freeh. This is the court of public opinion. And in this court, yes, you do need to present evidence, and no, you are NOT innocent until proven guilty.

        So Michael, how long have you been molesting little boys? That's my opinion, so you need to present facts to prove you aren't. In the court of public opinion, you too are NOT innocent until proven guilty. At least that's your logic. So go ahead and prove to me you're innocent.

          #3.12 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:44 AM EDT

          Mooonie: Your argument lost all credibility when you referred to the institution as the "Uof Penn" and the "University of Penn". If you can't even get the name of the school correct, how can you form a valid conclusion on the results of this "investigation" ?

            #3.13 - Tue Aug 28, 2012 3:48 PM EDT
            Reply

            Wouldn't have expected any less. The more they whine they worse they look.

            • 10 votes
            Reply#4 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:56 PM EDT

            Uh....whom are we to believe? The former head of the FBI or a crooked college pres who is trying to cover his own behind? If this jerk told me the sky was blue I'd step outside and check for myself.

            PANTS ON FIRE, BITCH.

            • 12 votes
            Reply#5 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:02 PM EDT

            another report by Freesh ^ does this help change your mind? probably not.

            • 1 vote
            #5.1 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:46 PM EDT

            Hey how about you look at Freeh's career not at clean cut and shiny as your making it sound.

            • 1 vote
            #5.2 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 11:29 PM EDT

            you mean louis freeh "the butcher of waco?" found out about that title on an earlier psu battle. funny.

            • 1 vote
            #5.3 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 11:48 PM EDT

            adam12312, you can't even get Freeh's name correct. You're not nearly as observant as you think you are. Why should we take anything to do with detailed information from you?

              #5.4 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 3:03 AM EDT
              Reply

              The bottom line is all they ever cared about was their precious silly little football program and the money it was making. The hell with the little boys being hurt, which will have ramifications for a very long time, they just looked the other way and let a monster on the loose. How can they even sleep at night?? But then again, you have to have a conscience in order for it to bother you, which, obviously these group of "men" didn't have, and I use the term "men" loosely. A REAL man would have put a stop to this and do the right thing. Just one question for these guys....what if it was THEIR son being attacked and abused????

              • 14 votes
              Reply#6 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:12 PM EDT

              If they cared about the football program Paterno wouldve been gone along time ago and someone who could recruit and win titles wouldve been brought in

              • 1 vote
              #6.1 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:37 PM EDT

              Thomas, this is about vulnerable children being molested, not about a stupid spectator sport, or entertaining the masses. Just what kind of values do you have?

              • 3 votes
              #6.2 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:47 PM EDT

              Michael

              I have very good values and no one needs to steer me clear on the right and wrong of this but...you know where I got those values? Three men. My Dad. My Drill Sargent. My Football Coach. Football is, or used to be about a lot more than just football. If it was me or any one of those three men above and Sandusky had molested one of our sons do you really think he would be in jail right now? Yes things have changed...so have men. Too bad.

              • 2 votes
              #6.3 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:01 PM EDT

              how would it have mattered? Care about the football program - you say that so easily.. if the Coach was retired for 3 years - reporting him would have hurt the program how? Please explain...

              • 1 vote
              #6.4 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:48 PM EDT
              Reply

              Why? because, Mr. Ex-President, it was more important to you to not rock the boat, not do anything to even remotely tarnish the image of a fabled institution. As a sociology professor, you of all people know human will do terrible things, make the wrong decisions, so don't go high and almighty and ask why. I hope the Feds comes after you next. Who is still taking class with this Bozo?

              • 10 votes
              Reply#7 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:17 PM EDT

              Contrite? Not much, very sad that hundreds of thousands will have carry your sins. Hubris too much.

              • 6 votes
              Reply#8 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:20 PM EDT

              The "Freeh report" is more of a novel than a factual accounting of events; it uses information only available since the grand jury investigation, assumes that information was available to people 12 years prior, and completely ignores a DA investigation that concluded there was no criminal activity at that time. The only person who claims Paterno had information that he should/could have acted on is McQueary, the person who concluded that what he saw was so benign that he did nothing to stop it.

              I don't give a sheeet about Penn State; I don't watch college football, and couldn't have told you who Paterno was before this story broke. But, they are not responsible for the actions of former employee.

              • 6 votes
              Reply#9 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:24 PM EDT

              You are wrong. There are witnesses to other conversations, there are emails, and enough eveidence that Sandusky isn't going to be the only one of this bunch going to prison. Watch and learn.

              • 6 votes
              #9.1 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:49 PM EDT

              Michael

              With every post you make it clearer and clearer that you know nothing about this case other than what you heard from some idiots "expert" analysis on ESPN. You cite that there are emails, please go to the Freeh report and quote those emails, as there is absolutely nothing that would show that here is a coverup. You say there are witnesses, name a single witness other than McQuery (who has given about seven different versions of what he saw and who has admitted that he gave Paterno a very watered down version of what he saw). You can't because it's not there.

              • 1 vote
              #9.2 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:26 AM EDT
              Reply

              Anybody who believes Freeh needs to know his history as well:

              "The Department of Justice and FBI recently began reviewing 10,000 cases to look for flawed forensic evidence that might have convicted innocent people. The FBI and DOJ had previously formed another task force in the '90s to investigate flawed evidence, the Washington Post reported in April. The director of the FBI from 1993 to 2001, Louis Freeh, launched that task force with then-Attorney General Janet Reno. After nine years of working in secret, the unit neither published its reviews of specific cases nor informed potentially innocent defendants or their attorneys, according to the Post."

              "Freeh, who headed the recent investigation, is now under investigation by the Department of Justice and the FBI for a massive coverup involving forensic and lab reports which could involve over 10,000 cases and the conviction of thousands of innocent people."

              Wheres the national media on this?

              Read more: #ixzz24JRu6LPA

              • 5 votes
              Reply#10 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:27 PM EDT

              What's your source? The link you refer to is gibberish.

                #10.1 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:52 PM EDT

                The article, "Justice Dept., FBI to review use of forensic evidence in
                thousands of cases" originally appeared in the Washington Post on July 10 and was picked up by various publications and websites.

                • 1 vote
                #10.2 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:13 PM EDT

                google search louis freeh waco

                  #10.3 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 11:52 PM EDT
                  Reply

                  While it's quite understandable that Spanier wants to protect his brand and legacy, denying his role in the coverup is just embarrassing. He should just shut up.

                  • 6 votes
                  Reply#11 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:31 PM EDT

                  Spanier certainly made a strong effort to "get access" to his email server? Why, because he forgot there was an electronic trail of emails going back and forth? He was kicked out of his plushy office before he could take the hard drive and all the emails regarding Sandusky. When the emails were reviewed, why, all of a sudden did Spanky Spanier need access to them. If he had done nothing to cover up, those same emails would have found him to be not involved. Hmmm!

                  Me thinks he protest too much. I just went up to my attic, got my Monopoly game out and will send Spanky one of our "get out of jail free" cards. He's 65, for goodness sake, retire, get your golf clubs out because your days of being Pres of anything but a dinky community college are over! However, he could stick around teaching Sociology...now that would be a class to be a part of....considering

                  • 1 vote
                  #11.1 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:13 PM EDT

                  for christ's sake, it's the very first thing the guy's said since the whole thing happened. you would think we would want to know anything he might have to say about it. you shut up. i am so sick of these armchair lawyers and judges on the comment lists. it's easy to sit in your place and write about stuff you have no idea but what you read on the net.

                    #11.2 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 11:55 PM EDT

                    Arm chair lawyer or not, Thought and Batrax are pretty spot on.

                    I, however, am not an armchair lawyer. I am a student of the university, and a heavily involved one at that. I've had many personal encounters with Spanier, and none were impressive in the least. Every appearance was nothing but a publicity stunt. Even before this story broke, students constantly complained of the fact that despite all he said, he was not accessible in the least to the student body, nor did he involve them in decision making.

                    There were multiple times students requested to speak with him, and he hid in his office.

                    Don't believe me? Look what he did when this scandal broke. He hid in his office until 2am and then threw his "friend" Paterno under the bus.

                    So yes, history shows that Spanier has a habit of running his mouth and then hiding. I'm not sure where the venom in your post is coming from. Clearly anything Spanier says is going to defend his own reputation. That's what he cares about most.

                      #11.3 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 9:39 AM EDT
                      Reply

                      Sadly, Graham Spanier may be correct. The Freeh report did not interview anyone. Instead it gathered information by skimming the surface but not digging deeper. Freeh used the same tactics used in Grand Jury indictments only documenting one side. Sure, everyone is outraged as to why this happened. However Freeh should have performed a bit more fact digging instead of constructive opinion.

                      Basically, if the police and district attorney had done their job back in 1998 then we would not be at this crossroads today.

                      • 7 votes
                      Reply#12 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:34 PM EDT

                      Didn't interview anyone? Except the 430 interviews they conducted, that is.

                      • 6 votes
                      #12.1 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:53 PM EDT

                      Not sure what part of interviewing over 400 people you don't understand!!!

                      • 6 votes
                      #12.2 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:53 PM EDT

                      sorry to hear that you had to go to Arizona... Too bad you cant resist bashing PSU because you were probably denied admission!

                        #12.3 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:01 PM EDT

                        yeah, but as JD said earlier, i've read the freeh report and it IS severely lacking in evidence, many summations, and for example, for all the interviews and suppositions not ONE email written to or from (read or unread) Paterno, yet he is specifically part of the "conspiracy".

                          #12.4 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 11:58 PM EDT

                          It was acknowledged that Paterno didn't write any emails. However, emails between others indicated Paterno had been part of conversations. Certainly, Freeh's previous experience as a judge and head of the FBI suggests that this investigation would depend on information from a wide variety of sources and the report would be based on conclusions drawn according to standards that were valid for this investigation.

                          Freeh is currently investigating the New Orleans Saints bounty scheme. One assumes that Freeh's work is viewed as highly reliable or his organization would not be retained for these high profile investigations. The complaints have come from those whose reputations have been tarnished, but poor decisions on the part of those individuals are responsible for their downfalls - not this report.

                            #12.5 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 5:30 AM EDT

                            It was also acknowledged Paterno knew. Shouldn't that be enough? Horrible crimes were committed. Feeble attempts to defend any of this is disgusting.........very sad. Really need to check the mirror when you place loyalty to an institution above all else. No matter the argument made, this is what Paterno will be remembered for.

                              #12.6 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 9:52 AM EDT

                              Michael

                              they may have interview 430 people but not a single one of them was involved in the Sandusky incident nor did any of them have any knowledge of the indecent. So what can be learned from interviews of people with no direct knowledge of the case?

                                #12.7 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:34 AM EDT
                                Reply

                                As Spanier said, the University chose to accept the Freeh report, rather than receive the Freeh report, and that according to Spanier was a mistake. Well, mistake or not, those which chose to accept the report have better than a college education, and if they couldn't show wisdom with their accumulated knowledge, it's just a little bit late now.

                                • 1 vote
                                Reply#13 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:38 PM EDT

                                Tomasito... Yeah, sure, Spanier is being wrongfully persecuted. Only a fool buys that BS.

                                • 7 votes
                                Reply#14 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:41 PM EDT

                                This guy also drives a white van with no windows.

                                • 1 vote
                                Reply#15 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:45 PM EDT

                                When are these guys going away? They are all disgusting. I can't believe Penn State still has Spanier on staff. Why doesn't he just shut his pie hole and go away. I still think more of these creeps should go to jail and start with Sandusky's wife! That hag knew what was going on

                                • 7 votes
                                Reply#16 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:49 PM EDT

                                She made cookies

                                • 3 votes
                                #16.1 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:54 PM EDT

                                Spanier knew. Spanier knew. Paterno knew. Paterno knew.

                                The only question yet to be asked is if Spanier and Paterno participated in the molestation of these boys with Sandusky.

                                That question MUST be asked and answered.

                                • 3 votes
                                #16.2 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:38 PM EDT

                                I heard you knew too, Josh. LOLOLOLOLOL

                                  #16.3 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 12:00 AM EDT

                                  Josh, the question doesn't have to be asked and answered because it's stupid.

                                  A motive has already been established. They covered it up to protect their reputation and the University's.

                                  Don't you think these boys would've made mention of any other participants, considering the volume of interrogation, media exposure, and trauma they've already been through? Don't you think they were asked if anyone else was involved?

                                  I appreciate your sentiments but you're a bit delayed, Detective Brogan.

                                    #16.4 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 9:49 AM EDT
                                    Reply

                                    What I want to know is how Sandusky is getting on behind bars and if he's made any "friends" lately.

                                      Reply#17 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:57 PM EDT

                                      Perhaps the question should be have any of his 'cellmates' made him?

                                      • 1 vote
                                      #17.1 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:55 PM EDT

                                      yeah, you already order the video or what, perverts?

                                        #17.2 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 12:00 AM EDT
                                        Reply

                                        I guess it depends on whose ox is being abused.

                                          Reply#18 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:01 PM EDT

                                          E-mails don't lie. In those e-mails they decided to be humane to Sandusky. The more they complain the more I believe they are covering up. It is always the cover up.

                                          • 4 votes
                                          Reply#19 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:03 PM EDT

                                          Spanier knew. Spanier knew. Paterno knew. Paterno knew.

                                          The only question yet to be asked is if Spanier and Paterno participated in the molestation of these boys with Sandusky.

                                          That question MUST be asked and answered.

                                          • 1 vote
                                          #19.1 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:40 PM EDT

                                          i repeat, in the entire freeh report not one email to or from paterno, yet he knew? the freeh report was the best defense of joe, if he were still around.

                                            #19.2 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 12:02 AM EDT
                                            Reply

                                            WELL OF COURSE THE REPORT IS WRONG! if the report portrayed everyone at Penn St as completely innocent, the report would be ACCURATE AND RIGHT!!

                                            • 1 vote
                                            Reply#20 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:05 PM EDT

                                            Just f@#$ing stop! Most sane people realize that when you're already in a big hole - STOP DIGGING!!! Your fingerprints are all over the cover up and nobody cares about how you want to dance around the evidence. You, Joe Paterno, Schultz, Curley, and McQueary all knew what was going on and you chose to cover it up instead of doing the right thing. Now it is time to pay the piper scumbag

                                            • 9 votes
                                            Reply#21 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:06 PM EDT

                                            Teachers are required by law to call the police when they suspect child abuse - not just tell the administration. Paterno and staff were dead wrong. You'll never convince me that Paterno did not tell the rest of the administration what Sandusky was doing. The cover-up is clear and is systemic all the way up the chain of command at Penn St. No excuses. Courageous men should have stopped this even if they had to kick Sanduskys ass!!

                                            • 5 votes
                                            Reply#22 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:13 PM EDT

                                            AMEN!! They're all guilty and they all belong in prison, including Sandusky's wife, there's no possible way she didn't know anything. They were all involved in the cover-up and they're trying to tread water but they're starting to stink..ooppss I meant sink! I can't wait for the trial of Curley and Schultz and watch them be found guilty of perjury. Hmmm, what sentence will they get? I hope they all go down, one by one....had they done the right thing to begin with then they wouldn't find themselves in this situation. No sympathy here for any of those rotten scumbags!!

                                            • 4 votes
                                            #22.1 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:27 PM EDT

                                            Very happy lady!

                                              #22.2 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 12:04 AM EDT

                                              Informing the the administration is just a FYI to keep them informed what is going on. The cops are the ones that require immediate notification.

                                                #22.3 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 12:01 PM EDT
                                                Reply

                                                Freeh has always been very political. I don't trust anything he does. He always has an ulterior motive for his actions.

                                                • 1 vote
                                                Reply#23 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:18 PM EDT

                                                Every time Sandusky see’s a Little Boy in a Penn State Uniform …..he gets a Boehner. You Bet Cha….Fer Sure.

                                                • 1 vote
                                                Reply#24 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:22 PM EDT

                                                Joe did not see anything. After all he looks like a Monkey looking thru a Block of Ice. You Bet Cha…Fer Sure.

                                                • 2 votes
                                                Reply#25 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:23 PM EDT

                                                Spanier knew. Spanier knew. Paterno knew. Paterno knew.

                                                The only question yet to be asked is if Spanier and Paterno participated in the molestation of these boys with Sandusky.

                                                That question MUST be asked and answered.

                                                • 1 vote
                                                #25.1 - Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:41 PM EDT

                                                the question is why are you continually locked on bold, and why did you go off the meds?

                                                • 1 vote
                                                #25.2 - Thu Aug 23, 2012 12:05 AM EDT
                                                Reply
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