Graham Spanier, the former president of Penn State University who presided over the school during the investigation of ex-Nittany Lions assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, has filed a lawsuit against Louis Freeh, the man who filed a report on Penn State's handling of the scandal.
Sandusky was accused of sexually assaulting young boys for decades. He has access to the children through his foundation, The Second Mile, which provided foster care for children and aided them in being adopted. He was accused of abusing that foundation to prey on these helpless children, though, and was eventually convicted of 45 counts of sexual abuse. Eight of his victims testified against him in court, and he is currently serving a 30-to-60 year prison term.
Freeh investigated this case, as well as Penn State's role in handling the situation and possibly covering it up. Spanier, who was ousted from his post as a result of Freeh's probing, is filing suit against him for libel and defamation.
In the Freeh Report, he concluded that Spanier, then-head coach Joe Paterno, athletic director Tim Curley and University vice president Gary Schultz all "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."
Neither Freeh nor his legal representation have been reached for comment on the lawsuit, which has been filed one day prior to the one-year anniversary of the release of his report.
Sandusky's misconduct, and Freeh's subsequent, scathing investigation led to the ouster of Spanier, Curley, Schultz, and sadly Paterno. Paterno is one of the most legendary coaches in college football history and was revered at Penn State.
He steadfastly denied knowing about Sandusky's misconduct, but was forced out by Penn State's decision makers and had the statue erected in his honor removed from its place.
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