The Jerry Sandusky Scandal

Jerry Sandusky was convicted in June of sexually abusing boys he met through his children’s charity.

The arrest of the former Penn State assistant football coach, 68, caused a rippling fallout that engulfed the university, Pennsylvania politics, and started a national conversation about child sex abuse and college athletics.

It led to the firing of iconic coach Joe Paterno, the university president, and the dismantling of his children’s charity, The Second Mile.

Sandusky has become one of the most notorious and well-known serial pedophiles in the United States.

Sara Ganim first broke the news that Sandusky was under investigation by a grand jury in 2011. From that point, Ganim and The Patriot-News were leaders in covering the scandal. The Patriot has been nationally recognized for its coverage, and recognized with several awards, including the 2012 Pulitzer Prize in local reporting.

Ganim has said publicly that the most rewarding thing to come of this is the increased awareness on the topic of sex abuse, and the recognition that reporting is still a very healthy and important part of American freedom.

Below is some of the key coverage, and a guide to the case.

Original story, March 31, 2011

Jerry Sandusky, former Penn State football staffer, subject of grand jury investigation

Charges filed, Nov. 4, 2011

Jerry Sandusky’s public persona was almost perfect — a revered Penn State football defensive coordinator who helped lead the team to two national titles then dedicated himself to bettering kids through his charity and in his personal life.

The case builds against Jerry Sandusky

• Mothers of two victims lash out at Penn State officials’ handling of scandal, Nov. 7, 2011
• Who knew what, and when did they know it? Nov. 11, 2011
• Patriot-News Special Report: Inside the Jerry Sandusky investigation – why did it take so long? Nov. 13, 2011
• Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky’s defense attorney makes his case outside the courthouse, Dec. 14, 2011
• Sandusky’s book ‘Touched’ helped investigators find victims, Jan. 8, 2012
• Ongoing investigation: Three men say they were abused in ’70s or ’80s, July 16, 2012

The Second Mile

Donations to Sandusky’s charity immediately dropped, and months later, decided it would have to close its doors. Now, federal investigators are looking into its finances, its leaders, and Sandusky’s access.

• Second Mile official had concerns about Jerry Sandusky and certain boys in 2008
• Five part series on what happened inside the Second Mile between Sandusky’s retirement and his arrest.

Is this the real Jerry Sandusky?

• Bizarre, goofy, sometimes flippant, and always confident. Some who knew Sandusky before the allegations wonder if his behavior was an act.

The mysterious case of Ray Gricar, April 15, 2012

While Centre County prosecutor Ray Gricar has been declared dead, questions about his disappearance only seem to multiply as he was tied to the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Gricar was the district attorney in 1998 who decided there wasn’t enough evidence to charge Sandusky based on the statements of two boys who said they were touched during a shower on campus.

• On the anniversary of Gricar’s 2005 disappearance, The Patriot-News goes back through the timeline in detail.

Ongoing federal investigations

• Federal authorities are conducting separate investigation involving Jerry Sandusky, Penn State, The Second Mile, Feb. 23, 2012
• Penn State, board of trustees money trails under investigation by feds, Feb. 25, 2012
• U.S. Postal Inspector’s probe of The Second Mile is 7th investigation to start since Jerry Sandusky was charged, March 24, 2012

Penn State-related coverage

• Curley, Schultz arrest are the reason it’s called a Penn State scandal, Dec. 16, 2011
• Paterno, Spanier fired by Penn State board of trustees, Nov. 10, 2011
• Newly-appointed president never read early coverage of Sandusky investigation, Jan. 7, 2012
• After the verdict, investigative focus shifts to Penn State, June 24, 2012
• Special Report: Penn State counsel Cynthia Baldwin’s role before grand jury could affect Tim Curley and Gary Schultz’s perjury case, experts say, Feb. 2, 2012
• A money breakdown: Why the scandal could cost Penn State millions, July 24, 2012
• Penn State board’s handling of NCAA sanctions could be subject of AG review. Sept. 12, 2012.

The Freeh Report

Penn State’s own internal investigation, conducted by former FBI director Louis Freeh, has polarized the Penn State community. It led to the removal of Paterno’s statue, and the NCAA decision to erase more than 100 wins from the record books, impose a fine, take away 4 years of bowl games and  limit scholarships.

• Former FBI director focuses Penn State probe on athletic department, employees say, March 18, 2012
• Analysis: FBI Director Louis Freeh, state’s results differ greatly. Why? July 12, 2012
• Analysis: Freeh report sheds new light on Jerry Sandusky scandal, but needs context
• Freeh report highlights, July 12, 2012

The case against Tim Curley and Gary Schultz

Trial is set to begin in January for Curley, the former athletic director, and Schutlz, the former vice president for business and finance. Both are charged with never reporting an incident brought to their attention by Mike McQueary in 2001, then lying about what they knew when they testified before the Sandusky grand jury. They face seven years in prison, if convicted.

• Analysis: The messy case of Victim 2, Oct. 17, 2012

Mike McQueary

McQueary was part of just one case against Sandusky at trial — the case of Victim 2 — but he was the initial link to Penn State, to Joe Paterno, and to the officials charged with lying to a grand jury. So, immediately every one of his words became a focus. He was put on administrative leave, and his contract was not renewed for this coming season.

• Star witness: Graphic testimony by Mike McQueary sends former Penn State officials Tim Curley and Gary Schultz to trial, Dec. 17, 2011
• Another version of Mike McQueary’s story about Jerry Sandusky surfaces, Dec. 11, 2011
• Consequences of Mike McQueary’s mixup in Jerry Sandusky case: Analysis , May 13, 2012
• Jerry Sandusky trial: Mike McQueary has taken Sandusky backlash well, his brother says, June 13, 2012

1998 investigation

1998 was the first time that police received a complaint about Sandusky, but charges were never filed. Penn State officials were made aware of the investigation, and so was the state childcare agency.

• Patriot-News exclusive: Psychologist’s report might be reason Ray Gricar declined to bring charges against Jerry Sandusky in 1998, March 21, 2012
• Patriot-News Special Report: 1998 Jerry Sandusky investigator would have pursued dropped case if he had seen hidden Penn State police report, March 22, 2012
• Law required children’s charity to be told of Jerry Sandusky investigation in 1998, July 16, 2012

Matt Sandusky

Matt was adopted by Jerry and Dottie Sandusky as an adult after being a foster parent in their home for a few years. After standing by his adoptive parents for many years, he recently said publicly that he too was a victim of Sandusky. His biological mother might have been one of the earliest to raise suspicions. She complained about behavioral changes in her son as far back as the early 1990s, while she was fighting for more visitation.

• Jerry Sandusky, adopted son had ‘rocky’ relationship, March 25, 2012
• Jerry Sandusky case: Matt Sandusky says he, too, was abused by his adoptive father, June 22, 2012
• Jerry Sandusky case: Victim 4 had ‘sixth sense’ about adopted son’s alleged abuse, June 23, 2012

Dottie Sandusky

• Jerry Sandusky’s wife is under increased scrutiny by those who wonder what she knows

Keystone Central School District

• Jerry Sandusky alleged Victim 1 graduates after being bullied out of school, is ready to testify, June 10, 2012
• Victim’s allegations ignored in hometown Lock Haven, Nov. 3, 2012

The NCAA consequences

• Penn State sanctions: What they mean for fans, players, coaches and your tax dollars, July 23, 2012
• NCAA’s Penn State investigation wasn’t typical, July 23, 2012
• Joe Paterno no longer the winningest coach in major college football, July 23, 2012

Key Trial Coverage

The Victims. Each took the stand and stated their names publicly for the first time since coming forward and accusing Sandusky. Here are their stories:

• One
• Two
• Three
• Four
• Five
• Six
• Seven
• Eight
• Nine
• Ten

The Verdict.

The legal trio in the courtroom.

• Prosecutor Joseph E. McGettigan
• Defense attorney Joe Amendola
• Judge John M. Cleland

Other notable moments.

• Prosecutor’s closing arguments
• Defense closing arguments
• Analysis
• Biggest defense victory: police caught lying
• Victim 2 witness doesn’t remember testifying at hearing for former Penn State officials

The Jurors.

• The 16 who heard the case
• Those who were cut, and why

Pennsylvania politics

• Gov. Tom Corbett: Prosecutions, politics, and the criticism he can’t shake. Feb. 27, 2013
• Gov. Corbett plays unique role on Penn State’s board of trustees, Jan. 21, 2012
• Are Pennsylvania’s child abuse laws failing children? Feb. 12, 2012 Update: Law allows experts to testify, June 24, 2012
• New Pennsylvania AG inherits Sandusky review, Nov.9, 2012

Joe Paterno’s death

• Paterno is not dead, Jan. 21, 2012
• Paterno’s son talks about final moments, Jan. 23, 2012
• Penn State University, community bid final farewell to Joe Paterno, Jan. 26, 2012
• Three days of mourning at PSU end with Paterno memorial, Jan. 27, 2012

What’s Next?

• The case doesn’t end with his sentencing. Oct. 9, 2012
• Jerry Sandusky was sentenced to spend 30 to 60 years in prison, and is appealing his conviction. He and his victims spoke at sentencing.
• What’s next for Joe Amendola?