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McQueary: Paterno said that Penn State 'screwed up' abuse scandal response McQueary: Paterno said that Penn State 'screwed up' abuse scandal response
(about 2 months later)
Longtime Penn State head coach Joe Paterno said that the university mishandled its response to the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal, a former assistant coach testified Monday.Longtime Penn State head coach Joe Paterno said that the university mishandled its response to the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal, a former assistant coach testified Monday.
Mike McQueary was called as a witness in a hearing for three former Penn State officials accused in a cover-up of the scandal. He told the judge that the late Hall of Fame coach had told him over the years that "Old Main screwed up" – referring to university administrators – in response to the allegation against Sandusky.Mike McQueary was called as a witness in a hearing for three former Penn State officials accused in a cover-up of the scandal. He told the judge that the late Hall of Fame coach had told him over the years that "Old Main screwed up" – referring to university administrators – in response to the allegation against Sandusky.
Former Penn State president Graham Spanier, retired university vice-president Gary Schultz and ex-athletic director Tim Curley are accused of failing to tell police about a sexual abuse allegation involving Sandusky, and then trying to cover it up. They have proclaimed their innocence. At the hearing, they sat at separate tables with their lawyers.Former Penn State president Graham Spanier, retired university vice-president Gary Schultz and ex-athletic director Tim Curley are accused of failing to tell police about a sexual abuse allegation involving Sandusky, and then trying to cover it up. They have proclaimed their innocence. At the hearing, they sat at separate tables with their lawyers.
McQueary testified about a specific exchange at football practice in the hours before Paterno's firing in November 2011, just days after Sandusky had been arrested.McQueary testified about a specific exchange at football practice in the hours before Paterno's firing in November 2011, just days after Sandusky had been arrested.
He recalled the head coach as saying that the school would come down hard on McQueary and try to make him a scapegoat. Paterno advised McQueary not to trust the administration or the university's then-counsel Cynthia Baldwin, the former assistant coach testified.He recalled the head coach as saying that the school would come down hard on McQueary and try to make him a scapegoat. Paterno advised McQueary not to trust the administration or the university's then-counsel Cynthia Baldwin, the former assistant coach testified.
A Penn State spokesman said Monday the university would not comment on the legal proceedings.A Penn State spokesman said Monday the university would not comment on the legal proceedings.
Paterno died in January 2012. He was never charged, though former FBI director Louis Freeh said in a university-sanctioned report that Paterno conspired with the three school officials to conceal accusations against Sandusky.Paterno died in January 2012. He was never charged, though former FBI director Louis Freeh said in a university-sanctioned report that Paterno conspired with the three school officials to conceal accusations against Sandusky.
Paterno's family has vehemently denied those allegations. The former coach was "respectful of the process … and wanted to know the truth form the beginning", and the latest testimony raised more questions about the credibility of Freeh's report, Paterno family spokesman Dan McGinn said.Paterno's family has vehemently denied those allegations. The former coach was "respectful of the process … and wanted to know the truth form the beginning", and the latest testimony raised more questions about the credibility of Freeh's report, Paterno family spokesman Dan McGinn said.
"Joe Paterno believed the issue would be and should be handled properly," McGinn said. "That's been true since the beginning here.""Joe Paterno believed the issue would be and should be handled properly," McGinn said. "That's been true since the beginning here."
The hearing, which could last several days, began Monday after being delayed for months because of a legal dispute about Baldwin's role in the case; he had accompanied the administrators to their grand jury appearances.The hearing, which could last several days, began Monday after being delayed for months because of a legal dispute about Baldwin's role in the case; he had accompanied the administrators to their grand jury appearances.
The judge must determine whether there's enough evidence against the ex-officials to send the case to trial. The three are charged with perjury, obstruction of justice, endangering the welfare of children, failure to properly report suspected abuse, and conspiracy. Those charges include allegations of hiding evidence from investigators and lying to a grand jury.The judge must determine whether there's enough evidence against the ex-officials to send the case to trial. The three are charged with perjury, obstruction of justice, endangering the welfare of children, failure to properly report suspected abuse, and conspiracy. Those charges include allegations of hiding evidence from investigators and lying to a grand jury.
McQueary has testified that he saw Sandusky and a boy engaged in a sex act in the locker room shower in 2001 and within days reported it to Paterno, Curley and Schultz.McQueary has testified that he saw Sandusky and a boy engaged in a sex act in the locker room shower in 2001 and within days reported it to Paterno, Curley and Schultz.
Curley and Schultz "definitely knew it was a sexual act, a molestation act between Jerry Sandusky and a boy in the showers", McQueary testified.Curley and Schultz "definitely knew it was a sexual act, a molestation act between Jerry Sandusky and a boy in the showers", McQueary testified.
Curley and Schultz have said McQueary never reported that the encounter was sexual in nature, while Spanier has said Curley and Schultz never told him about any sort of sexual abuse of a boy. They said they had believed that Sandusky and the boy were engaged in nothing more than horseplay.Curley and Schultz have said McQueary never reported that the encounter was sexual in nature, while Spanier has said Curley and Schultz never told him about any sort of sexual abuse of a boy. They said they had believed that Sandusky and the boy were engaged in nothing more than horseplay.
Sandusky is serving a 30-60-year prison sentence after being convicted last year of sexually abusing 10 boys. He maintains his innocence.Sandusky is serving a 30-60-year prison sentence after being convicted last year of sexually abusing 10 boys. He maintains his innocence.
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