Some shocking news about Penn State’s football program broke this weekend when Jerry Sandusky, a former Penn State assistant defensive coach, was arrested on charges of sexually abusing eight boys over a 15 year period. Two top university officials – Gary Schultz, the senior vice president for finance and business, and Tim Curley, the athletic director – are expected to turn themselves into authorities today. They have been charged with perjury and failing to report what they knew about allegations against Sandusky. Still hanging in the air is the question of what Penn State coach Joe Paterno knew about the accusations against his assistant defensive coach. In a statement issued last night, Paterno said, “The fact that someone we thought we knew might have harmed young people to this extent is deeply troubling. If this is true we were all fooled, along with scores of professionals trained in such things, and we grieve for the victims and their families.” Connor Ennis, college football editor for The New York Times, has more on the story.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!