ReutersReactions have been pouring in over the past several hours in response to the Freeh report released this morning.
Outside of Paterno’s family, those in the middle of Freeh’s crosshairs have remained expectantly quiet. Well, until now. Sort of.
Speaking on behalf of their client, the attorneys for former Penn State president Graham Spanier released a statement refuting that Spanier “concealed” anything from law enforcement officials.
There’s plenty of other puffery included in the statement because, well, we’re talking about lawyers, but a significant portion of the Freeh report is based on supposed concealment by Penn State admins. Spanier’s attorneys say that’s simply not true.
“As a former Federal Judge and a former United States Attorney, we appreciate and respect the investigative efforts of the Freeh Group and the comprehensive report they have today provided the Board of Trustees of Penn State University.
Unfortunately, Judge Freeh’s conclusion, repeated often during his press conference this morning, that Dr. Spanier was engaged in a course of “active concealment,” is simply not supported by the facts or by the report itself.
Not only did Dr. Spanier never conceal anything from law enforcement authorities, but prior to 2011 he was never contacted by law enforcement officials, or any other officials, about any criminal activities now attributed to Sandusky. And as he told Judge Freeh himself last Friday and has steadfastly maintained, at no time in his 16 years as President of Penn State was Dr. Spanier told of any incident involving Jerry Sandusky that described child abuse, sexual misconduct, or criminality of any nature.
While we disagree with certain of Judge Freeh’s conclusions, Dr. Spanier joins with others in hoping that the University will never have to endure such a traumatic chapter again. This has been a painful episode in the history of a great university, and the thoughts and prayers of Dr. Spanier, and all of us, continue to be with the victims and their families.”
You can read more reactions from around college football about the Freeh report HERE.
Cough…. BS….. Cough BS
A little late for CYA now…
It’s not true…but I’m open to a plea deal. Wink wink. Would love to know how u find 14 yr old emails anyone know?
School servers???
Refute away — this should be amusing. Pathetic loser.
Seven stages of Grief.
Step 1. Shock and denial.
If there was a more arrogant “I’m beyond any law” man at PSU than Paterno, then it was this POS. Question: why on earth has this garbage not been charged yet?
I suppose he didn’t read any of the emails to and from himself, the vice president and AD. The Peter Principle (no pun intended) is alive and well at Penn State. CYA all you want until your perjury trial then you can sate a cell with Sandusky.
He’s still being paid as well. I wish this was real investigation and not a report. How can the report blast the BOT and not one member will step down. I feel the report was just a way for them to clear themselves considering only had to to talk to freeh on a voluntarily basis. I want to see everyone subpoenaed.
Spanier is also still saying he never knew anything about anything… its frickin hilarious this guy!
Either you believe Spanier that he didn’t know a thing, and he’s the most clueless college president in history, or you believe Freeh and he’s the most morally bankrupt college president in history.
Why am I reminded of Richard Pryor… “Who are you going to believe? Me, or your two lying eyes?”
I hope he gets sued into oblivion.
Obviously Spanier along with Paterno, many school officials and the Paterno family knowingly covered up the scandal. Hopefully Jail time for each and civil suits against each. Death Penalty for Penn State.
dannythebisforbeast says:
Jul 12, 2012 11:21 PM
How can the report blast the BOT and not one member will step down. I feel the report was just a way for them to clear themselves considering only had to to talk to freeh on a voluntarily basis. I want to see everyone subpoenaed.
——————
I agree with you somewhat. This whole mess goes much further than a aged football coach and the three stooges. As things are the BOT footed the bill for the report, got slapped a little bit, but no real blame was placed on them-coincidence? I think not. Simply placing all of the blame on a dead man and others who were charged before the investigation started smells of something not quite right. Not that I think Paterno et all are innocent, just that there is more to the story.
I hated that my tax dollars helped pay this man while he was President.
Now he works for Homeland Security. All of you are funding his employment.
Get this scumbag out of Government and into prison ASAP.
He has shown clearly that he cannot effectively protect anyone save for child molesters.
Yeeeaaaahhhh sure…. and bigfoot, lochness monster, and unicorns exist as well!