Penn State AD charged with perjury -- *UPDATE 2* Sandusky Arrested Again

Re: Penn State AD charged with perjury in Sandusky investigation

Can't Paterno just say, "our lawyers have told me not to comment on an ongoing legal issue"?

That's probably true. What do you say then: "Forget the lawyers that you're paying thousands of dollars to keep you of jail! We need a story!"

I was around a lot of Barry Bonds steroid questions, and I know that after he says "I can't comment on that" there's really nowhere else to go as a reporter.

 

Re: Penn State AD charged with perjury in Sandusky investigation

I continue to be astonished at the Penn State president's comments of support for Curley and Schultz. I think most of us have been around enough college programs that when a player gets charged with the slightest criminal act (marijuana, underage drinking, etc.) there's almost always an immediate suspension for the nebulous "violation of team rules." It continues to baffle me that a person of authority at the university who is charged with perjury in what could be the most disturbing scandal to ever hit college sports is publicly supported by his superiors in a "nothing-to-see-here" defense.

 

Re: Penn State AD charged with perjury in Sandusky investigation

This is so awful and disgusting, it's beyond the imaginations of even the freaks behind Criminal Minds and those other procedurals that seem to take delight in storylines about the worst of humanity. Just incomprehensible.

 

Re: Penn State AD charged with perjury in Sandusky investigation

This was on page 12 of the grand jury report:

That seems to imply that, in a school or university setting, if you witness something you report it to the principal or supervisor. It's then on the higher-ups to notify the authorities and get the ball rolling on an investigation.
Both the GA and Paterno reported it immediately. It was passed up the chain of command, as it's supposed to be.
Could they have reported it to the cops themselves? Sure.
Could the GA have stepped in at the moment he saw something, punched Sandusky's lights out and rescued the kid? Maybe.
Should Paterno have followed up, given his position within the university? Absolutely.
But they did what they were supposed to do in reporting it. It was Curley and Schultz who looked the other way. Which is why they're (rightfully) facing charges and the GA and Paterno aren't.

Also, from reading the grand jury report, it seems the GA was a key witness -- and probably will be again if this goes to trial.

 

Re: Penn State AD charged with perjury in Sandusky investigation

Kind of a shame they had a bye today. Anybody know what day Paterno does his weekly presser?
I'd also imagine the SIDs will monitor player interviews like the NSA listens to terrorists' telephone calls.

 

Re: Penn State AD charged with perjury in Sandusky investigation

Can't help but wonder what impact this will have on Joe Posnanski's book on Paterno.

 

Re: Penn State AD charged with perjury in Sandusky investigation

Don't they already do that? I've heard, admittedly second-hand, horror stories of trying to talk to Penn State kids. As has been alluded to here by Starman and others, it sounds like Joe Pa is a peach to deal with when things are going well, never mind when the mother of all shit storms has hit.

 

Re: Penn State AD charged with perjury in Sandusky investigation

Jesus. Great point. I'm would think Pos has already spoken to Sandusky.

If Paterno knew of this, and allowed Sandusky access to the program for all these years...

I know Paterno might not seem relevant in most parts of the country, but I cannot think of a more crippling college football scandal. To me, this trumps Ohio State

 

Re: Penn State AD charged with perjury in Sandusky investigation

I think this post is probably dead-on. Lawyers are not being obstructionist when they advise their clients not to speak about an ongoing legal matter. They are looking out for their interests. Several people on here have already said that Paterno talking would be a disaster for him. Obviously, the lawyers realize what we realize. You can't just browbeat or guilt someone into talking in that case.

Not saying that you don't exhaust your attempts, but all of us have been in these kinds of press conferences. We have an instinct for when you've hit the wall. The real reporting isn't going on in that room anyway.

EDIT: For those of you who think Paterno was in the wrong, how so? He reported it to his superiors, as was his obligation. Do you think he had a moral obligation to go to the police?

And, for the record, I'm not challenging you. I'm just trying to get my head around this whole sordid affair, with your help.

 

Re: Penn State AD charged with perjury in Sandusky investigation

Have you ever gone through a corporate harassment training program? Report to superior(s), don't discuss with anyone, don't ask follow up question is standard operating procedure.