If you thought all of the reports regarding the Jerry Sandusky scandal had been written, think again. A new report is due out today from Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane. The information shed by the report should have more of a political impact than it may have on the university or the football program, but fans and university administrators will be sure to keep a watchful eye on the findings.
Kane holds the position previously held by current Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett. This is important because the attorney general’s office did not get involved with any investigation into the Sandusky crimes until 2009, a year after authorities filed a complaint about Sandusky. Kane has suggested Corbett had some political motive to slow down any investigation into the former Penn State assistant coach. Corbett was a trustee, but denied Kane’s allegation. It took nearly three years before any charges were filed against Sandusky, who is now serving a 30-60 year sentence for his sexual abuse crimes against young boys.
Three former Penn State officials -- Former athletics director Tim Curley and vice president of finance Gary Schultz, and former university president Graham Spanier -- currently await trial in Harrisburg for their involvement in the response to the Sandusky crimes.
Penn State’s football team is still digging out from the fallout of the Sandusky crimes and university response. The NCAA slammed the program with a four-year postseason ban. The NCAA took away a significant number of scholarships but has since returned some and allowed Penn State to get back to a normal scholarship limit ahead of schedule. Unless the NCAA amends any portion of the sanctions, Penn State will be ineligible for participation in the Big Ten championship game, College Football Playoff or any bowl game until the 2016 season.