Jerry Sandusky has gone away, never to be seen or heard from again, but there are still four distinct investigations ongoing at Penn State University: the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Eduation, the NCAA and the University's internal investigation, led by ex-FBI director Louis Freeh are all investigating. As Aaron Sorkin would say, things are going to get worse before they get better at Penn State.
This may be the worst of it for Penn State faithful: internal emails unearthed in the USDOJ investigation, reported extensively this weekend by CNN, show that Joe Paterno had a more intimate knowledge of the situation, and more sway in how it how handled, than had previously been proven. The emails also show an intentional cover up perpetrated by then Athletic Director Tim Curley, fired University President Graham Spanier, and senior administrator Gary Schultz.
The picture that emerges from these emails shows that it was Paterno who disuaded Curley and Shultz from reporting the suspicions to child welfare services, choosing to handle it internally instead. Spanier reluctantly went along with the plan despite concerns that it could leave the University vulnerable.
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What we already knew was that Mike McQueary told Paterno he saw he saw Sandusky taking a disturbing, overly sexual shower with a boy in the Penn State lockerroom. Paterno told Curley and Schultz, who then met with McQueary. McQueary later said he witnessed anal rape, but it is not entirely clear exactly how graphic he was in his descriptions at the time. We did not know exactly why proper authorities were not then involved, or why the abuse wasn't stopped right then.
These new emails now show Curley and Schultz being so alarmed after meeting with McQueary that they send a plan to Spanier on February 26, 2001 to confront Sandusky, alert Sandusky's Second Mile charity, and to alert the Department of Welfare that handles child abuse. Spanier approves of the plan.
But Curley and Schultz change their tune the very next day, deciding instead to simply handle the issue by speaking with Sandusky. In an email from Curley to Spanier (copied to Schultz) on February 27, Curley references a conversation he had with Paterno, though the specifics are not revealed. According to CNN, Curley writes "After giving it more thought and talking it over with Joe (Paterno) yesterday, I am uncomfortable with what we agreed were the next steps."
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Spanier ok's the revised plan to address the problem directly with Sandusky, but he also warns that "the only downside for us is if the message (to Sandusky) isn't 'heard' and acted upon, and we then become vulnerable for not having reported it."
Schultz weighs in the next day: "This is a more humane and upfront way to handle this," he allegedly writes. He adds, of telling child welfare, "we can play it by ear."
The Department of Welfare was never contacted. Second Mile was. Sandusky was told he could no longer bring children onto Penn State's campus, though he did continue to do so, and he abused at least four more victims over the next ten years.
Throughout the email exchange, Curley, Schultz and Spanier repeatedly make reference to handling the situation "humanely." Sandusky's name is never used; instead, he is referred to as "the subject" or the "person involved." Sandusky's victims are referred to as his "guests."
The specifics of what was said between Joe Paterno and Tim Curley isn't yet known. But what it sounds like is this:
Paterno confronts Sandusky about McQueary's disturbing allegations and Sandusky deceives Paterno. Paterno lets himself be deceived and doesn't want rock the boat or leave Sandusky out to dry. Paterno presses Curley merely to handle the issue with Sandusky himself. Curley, Schultz and Spanier are partially deceived by Sandusky but still apprehensive. They act in the interest of the football program and University instead of contacting higher authorities. Or, they're not deceived but choose to protect Penn State football and the institution anyway.
Findings of the four investigations are expected to begin to be released possibly as soon as this summer or fall.
Gary Schultz and Tim Curley already face perjury charges related to testimony they gave to a grand jury. Graham Spanier was the first man fired after the scandal broke, and he, along with Curley and Schultz could face additional criminal charges.
Joe Paterno passed away in January, two and a half months after Jerry Sandusky was indicted on the first of what became of 48 criminal charges.
Penn State football faces the possibility of the complete suspension of the program for a year or longer, otherwise known as the "death penalty."
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