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Spanier calls Freeh report unfair
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Graham Spanier in a 2007 file photo.
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Former Penn State president Graham Spanier called the Freeh report on the university's handling of the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal "absolutely unfounded, unfair and just plain wrong," during an interview with the Post-Gazette today.
Mr. Spanier, who was forced to resign as the Penn State president in the days after Mr. Sandusky was charged by a state grand jury, said in the nine months since that he had been attempting to adjust, and the report issued by former FBI Director Louis Freeh in which he cast blame on Mr. Spanier and other high-ranking university administrators for covering up the sexual abuse to avoid negative publicity has made it more difficult.
"This entire episode for me over the last nine months has been very difficult from a personal standpoint," Mr. Spanier said. "It's taken its toll emotionally and physically. I just can't deny that.
"What has been especially troubling, having made that adjustment, was the Freeh report, with its conclusions that are absolutely unfounded, unfair and just plain wrong."
On Wednesday, Mr. Spanier's attorneys held a news conference in which they blasted the Freeh report, saying that it was incomplete, unfair and lacked balance.
The state Attorney General's office has said that its investigation into the Sandusky scandal is ongoing, and Mr. Spanier's attorneys have been working to stave off any possible charges.
In November, at the same time Mr. Sandusky was charged with molesting a series of young boys over a number of years, Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley and Senior Vice President for Business and Finance Gary Schultz were charged with perjury and failure to report suspected child abuse.
They are scheduled for trial in Harrisburg on Jan. 7.
Mr. Sandusky was found guilty on 45 of 48 counts against him at trial in June. His sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
More in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
First Published August 23, 2012 2:52 pm
