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Schultz, Curley attorneys dispute new charges
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HARRISBURG -- Attorneys for former Penn State vice president Gary Schultz and athletic director Tim Curley targeted the former general counsel of the university this afternoon as they disputed new charges against their clients.
Attorney General Linda Kelly on Thursday announced new charges against the two administrators in connection to the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case as she said former university president Graham Spanier also would be criminally charged.
Mr. Curley and Mr. Schultz were arraigned this afternoon on charges including endangering the welfare of children, obstruction of justice and criminal conspiracy.
Afterward, attorneys for both men contested the charges and sought to place blame on Cynthia Baldwin, former general counsel of Penn State.
Caroline Roberto, who represents Mr. Curley, said her client is innocent and asserted a grand jury report released Thursday shows Ms. Baldwin testified against the two administrators after representing them. Thomas Farrell, who represents Mr. Schultz, said the new charges were based on false testimony.
"The newest charges have been based upon the testimony -- my father always told me if you have nothing good to say, don't say anything, so I'll just say one thing -- based upon the testimony of someone who has betrayed her clients and her profession and testified falsely," he said.
Charles De Monaco, an attorney for Ms. Baldwin, refuted the claims by Mr. Farrell and saying his client's career, which includes serving as a justice on the state Supreme Court, has shown her character.
"Cynthia Baldwin, as evidenced by her distinguished career and her impeccable reputation, is a person of the highest integrity," Mr. De Monaco said in a statement. "The suggestion by anyone that Ms. Baldwin betrayed her clients and her profession or testified falsely is untrue."
He said Ms. Baldwin does not intend to publicly address facts or legal issues that should be established in court.
A grand jury presentment released yesterday describes Mr. Spanier directing Ms. Baldwin to accompany Mr. Curley and Mr. Schultz to their testimony before a grand jury in January 2011. Attorneys for the two administrators have asked a judge to dismiss the charges against their clients, asserting that Ms. Baldwin had a conflict of interest in representing both Penn State and the two men before the grand jury.
At the arraignment this afternoon, Judge William Wenner set bail at $50,000 for both men and ordered them to be fingerprinted.
Ms. Roberto told reporters afterward that the new charges show prosecutors are seeking another chance to convict her client, who awaits trial along with Mr. Schultz.
"Last year I told you all that the perjury charge was a weak case and that it would be almost impossible for the prosecution to prove that charge," she said. "The prosecution recognized that, and this year they're asking for a do-over."
First Published November 2, 2012 6:01 pm
