Spanier Charged, Investigators Call Case "Conspiracy of Silence"
By: Mallory Lane
Updated: November 1, 2012
HARRISBURG - Investigators say the case between three top officials of Penn State is a "conspiracy of silence."
Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly says the cases of two of Jerry Sandusky's victims and email evidence of communication between the three men were the tipping point for investigators to charge them in relation to the sex abuse scandal.
"This case is about three powerful and influential men who help top positions at the very top of one of the most prestigious universities in the nation," Kelly said. "Three men who used their positions at Penn State to conceal and cover up for years the actions of a known child predator."
Graham Spanier, Gary Schultz and Tim Curley face a total of 20 counts on five charges for their alleged involvement in the Sandusky sex abuse scandal.
"This was not a mistake by these men, it was not an oversight. It was no misjudgment on their part. This was a conspiracy of silence by top officials, working to actively conceal the truth with total disregard for the children who were Sandusky's victims in the case," Kelly said.
In emails back and forth between the men, they discuss two of Sandusky's victims claims. In one email from Schultz to Curley and Spanier, Schultz writes, 'They met with Jerry on Monday and concluded that there was no criminal behavior and the matter was closed as an investigation. I think the matter has been appropriately investigated and I hope it is behind us now.'
In another email, Schultz writes out an approach to which he believes the investigations should be handled saying, 'I need some help on this one. What do you think about this approach?'
Kelly says Spanier agreed to it.
"We must not lose sight of the consequences of their acts. If these men had done what they were supposed to do and what they were legally required to do, several young men may not have been attacked by a serial predator and the predator may have very likely been neutralized," she said.
Kelly was asked in Joe Paterno would face charges if he was still alive. She said she wouldn't comment on that, that Joe Paterno is deceased and that's the end of it.
To view the view the grand jury presentment in its entirety, visit this page.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly says the cases of two of Jerry Sandusky's victims and email evidence of communication between the three men were the tipping point for investigators to charge them in relation to the sex abuse scandal.
"This case is about three powerful and influential men who help top positions at the very top of one of the most prestigious universities in the nation," Kelly said. "Three men who used their positions at Penn State to conceal and cover up for years the actions of a known child predator."
Graham Spanier, Gary Schultz and Tim Curley face a total of 20 counts on five charges for their alleged involvement in the Sandusky sex abuse scandal.
"This was not a mistake by these men, it was not an oversight. It was no misjudgment on their part. This was a conspiracy of silence by top officials, working to actively conceal the truth with total disregard for the children who were Sandusky's victims in the case," Kelly said.
In emails back and forth between the men, they discuss two of Sandusky's victims claims. In one email from Schultz to Curley and Spanier, Schultz writes, 'They met with Jerry on Monday and concluded that there was no criminal behavior and the matter was closed as an investigation. I think the matter has been appropriately investigated and I hope it is behind us now.'
In another email, Schultz writes out an approach to which he believes the investigations should be handled saying, 'I need some help on this one. What do you think about this approach?'
Kelly says Spanier agreed to it.
"We must not lose sight of the consequences of their acts. If these men had done what they were supposed to do and what they were legally required to do, several young men may not have been attacked by a serial predator and the predator may have very likely been neutralized," she said.
Kelly was asked in Joe Paterno would face charges if he was still alive. She said she wouldn't comment on that, that Joe Paterno is deceased and that's the end of it.
To view the view the grand jury presentment in its entirety, visit this page.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.