The Jerry Sandusky child-sex abuse scandal has cost Penn State on numerous fronts, from its once-sterling reputation to stifling NCAA sanctions to myriad points in between. One of those cost points, suffice to say, is financially.
In an update to the costs related to the scandal as of November of last year, the university revealed late this past week that it has thus far spent $27,663,423 (pictured) dealing with the fallout of Sandusky’s crimes. A sizable portion of those costs are related to legal fees as well as the use of consulting firms.
According to the Patriot News, the breakdown of those costs is as follows:-- $13 million for internal investigations and communications, including the Freeh Report;
-- About $7.5 million in the university’s legal defense;
-- $3.95 million for the legal defense of other individuals, including former Penn State President Graham Spanier and others;
-- Roughly $1.3 million for externally initiated investigations;
-- $1.8 million for other expenses.
It should be noted that the $60 million fine imposed by the NCAA on the university, the dispersal of which remains the subject of much tugging and pulling, is not included in the latest breakdown. A federal antitrust lawsuit filed by Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett last month is seeking the complete reversal of all NCAA sanctions, including the historic fine. The state’s legislature is also pushing for a similar outcome.
That $27 million-plus figure, though, will continue to climb. Numerous lawsuits filed by Sandusky’s victims continue to wind their way through the legal system, although the university is hopeful they can settle most if not all of those out of court. Still, the payouts to the victims, whether through a settlement or otherwise, will continue add to the financial toll Sandusky’s crimes have taken on the university.