Tom Corbett On Joe Paterno, Graham Spanier: Governor Supports Penn State Board Of Trustees

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Gov. Tom Corbett said Thursday that he supported moves by Penn State's board of trustees to force out famed football coach Joe Paterno and president Graham Spanier, saying he'd lost confidence in their leadership capacity.

Corbett, who is on the 32-member board along with 10 gubernatorial appointees, made the comments after a second day of private meetings of Penn State trustees amid an unfolding child sex abuse scandal involving the university.

Asked if he thought that Paterno and Spanier didn't do enough to alert law enforcement to protect the safety of children, Corbett said he was disappointed in their actions.

"I support the board's decision," Corbett said. "Their actions caused me to not have confidence in their ability to continue to lead."

Corbett, the state's former attorney general, wouldn't answer questions from reporters about any of the board's internal discussions in the wake of a grand jury report released Saturday that said former football assistant coach Jerry Sandusky had sexually assaulted multiple boys, including some on university property. Sandusky has denied the allegations.

The trustees announced Wednesday night that Paterno, in his 46th season coaching Penn State's storied football team, would no longer be coach and that Spanier would no longer be president.

"Certainly every Pennsylvanian who has any knowledge of this case, who has read the grand jury report, feels a sense of regret and a sorrow to also see careers end," Corbett said. "But we must keep in mind that when it comes to the safety of children, there can be no margin of error, no hesitation to act."

Scrutiny fell on Paterno and Spanier after the grand jury report said a team graduate assistant was in the locker room on the night of March 1, 2002, when he discovered what he said was a naked boy, about 10 years old, being sexually abused by Sandusky.

Paterno and Spanier have said they weren't told the exact details of the incident or the seriousness of the matter, but the Pennsylvania State Police commissioner, Frank Noonan, has suggested they fell short of their moral responsibility to alert police.

Comments

[Redplum]

05:18 PM on 11/13/2011

Help me understand why this falls on Joe and Spanier alone. I am not saying I disagree, but why isnt Curley, the AD, lso part of this whole mess of being vilifed? He knew what was going on, he knew of the allegations by MCQ. Corbett is too inconsistent with his logic as to why he picks and chooses who he felt was negligent. I hope COrbett in brought under the same scrutiny as Joe, Spanier and anyone else involved. And..Sandusky's wife, t some point is going to have to come out nd make a statement..because..her silence in all this..is deafening.

[PMVB]

02:44 PM on 11/13/2011

TOM CORBETT-------you are an intrinsic part of this shocking cover-up, so don,t pretend otherwise.
Until people come clean + become accountable for their lack of action in covering up for Sandusky, how can there be any hope of healing for anyone, or a sense of being able to move forward.
This whole tragic saga has been traumatic for everyone, but it needs to be stopped right now + it won,t be if those cowards on the Board ( yourself included Tom ) stop pointing the finger at someone else + take responsibility for your own inaction.

[Redplum]

04:21 PM on 11/13/2011

I am a little bit confused by an article I just read. It says that Corbett in 2009 was Attorney General, and that he was also on the board of PSU at the same time Sandusky was being investigated for sexul abuse in 2009. So, ...does that imply that Corbett knew about the "scandal" Sandusky ? I have been saying the trustees knew more than they were saying....Karma..Corbett..whta goes around//comes around..and I hope this bites you in the arse..to stand there and act like you did everyone a favor by voting to fire Joe..as if this is ALL on him. You..are accountable then ..you are at the highest level to do something.......hypocrite.

[Pamela Lewis]

10:51 AM on 11/13/2011

How much did Corbett know about this? He was Attorney General while all of the cover up was going on. I just saw him on Meet the Press looking very uncomfortable.

[Joseph Polityka]

08:53 AM on 11/13/2011

What is being ignored in all of this sorry mess, is Graham Spanier's attitude (as shown in his published papers) toward deviant sex and her persmissive attitude toward anti-religious organizations which have existed on the campus since he became president in 1995.
Spanier had to have known about Sandusky but maybe, just maybe, he saw nothing wrong with it. I base my opinion on reading Spanier's published papers on sexulity and his actions as president. Pro-life professors who taught at Penn State were fired or forced to leave during Spanier's tenure.

[Redplum]

04:26 PM on 11/13/2011

Based on what I have read, I beleive Spanier had the ultimate authority to pursue the Sandusky allegation from 2002. His responsibility as president is to make decisions based on being able to be impartial. Even if Joe or MCQ were loyal to Sandusly, so what..it was on Spanier to make the decision to pursue the allegation. He didnt do it. I dont beleive Joe could have swayed Spanier in that decision. Joe was already on his way out the door, they tried to retire him 2004, the team has been under performing for awhile and frankly I think PSU was a little tired of the school being known for JOEPA and football , and not enough credit to it being an academic institution...but thats just my opinion. Either way, Spanier..KNEW, he had talked to Curley an Schultz, and their is no question they knew the situation from MCQ. Forget about Joe, MCQ talked to them face to face what he sw and knew. The trustees had to know something..someone knew something at that level..and it will come out.

[Richard Backstrom]

11:32 PM on 11/11/2011

CONTINUED

Gov. Corbett, I voted for you. And today Iost confidence in your ability to lead and am asking for your resignation. Your resignation on the grounds you "didn't do enough"... If you can dare vote to fire a man the stature of Joe Paterno for not doing enough then do all the people of the great state of Pennsylvania, including our children, a favor and resign in disgrace...

Thank you

[quilltr]

12:05 AM on 11/12/2011

What could Joe possibly say to explain not calling the police, and continuing to associate with Sandusky, that would make a difference at this point? Other than that he had a vision from God. He was told in great detail what happened, he knew about it for years, and it was business as usual for him. It sickens me to hear him say everything he's ever done has been for the kids. Really?? Yes, more facts will be coming, but I will personally apologize to you here if they paint Joe in a BETTER light, because it's not looking like it's heading that way. Remember, McQueary has not been allowed to speak, either, and I think what he has to say will sink Joe forever. But I guess we'll see in due time.

[Redplum]

04:31 PM on 11/13/2011

If MCQ changes his story then he will have lied to the GJ. I think MCQ told the GJ exactly what happened. I think Joe told Curley and Schultz whatever he was told by MCQ. The discrepency , is that Joe says he stopped MCQ from telling him the graphic details.but that he knew Sandusly has engaged in some sort of sexual nature with the boy.....and in Joe's statment to the media after this all came out, Joe says, he had not been told the graphic detail that was in the GJ report. Regardless, I think MCQ told the truth, and Joe told the truth. IF MCQ changes his story then , people may assume he lied about all this..because once you lie to the GJ, you are probably not to be believed for anything you say..its splitting hairs at this point as to what exaactly MCQ told Joe, they both reported it to Curley and met face to face with Curley and Schultz.

[Redplum]

04:41 PM on 11/13/2011

Again, the PSU Police have the same exact authority as the State of PA police. Joe sat down fact to face with Curley and Schultz. Schultz is the "Chief of Police" Joe had the meeting with them.therefore he reported it. That is why he isnt charged the same as Curley and Schultz, with failure to report child abuse. Spanier had the final, authority to pusue the allegation, horseplay or not..and HE DID NOT> I know people like to beat on Joe and MCQ, but as in corporations and businesses, the head guy, Spanier..in this case, had the total repsonsibility to get this investigated and he did not. Joe should have done more..and I am suggesting, that he would have had to call the local police to report and then I am going to just assume, it would have been right back at PSU to investigate.

[MasterKat]

02:16 PM on 11/12/2011

What is wrong with you? Would you feel the same way if it was YOUR child who was being raped and Joe Paterno did nothing to stop it even though he KNEW? No empathy. Joe Paterno and the rest of the Penn State staff who knew of these horrific acts is responsible for the suffering of every child who was sodomized by that monster after 2002.

I don't think God watches football. If I were Joe, I would be in Church every day praying for forgiveness. Joe Paterno disgraced himself, he disgraced his school, and he disgraced the state of Pennsylvania. He should be deeply, deeply ASHAMED.

[Richard Backstrom]

11:31 PM on 11/11/2011

CONTINUED...

Now here is my dilemna. First understand I believe sexual assault against ANY minor is without a doubt the most dispictable crime ever brought to court. I feel our justice system can not punish the guilty enough. I also believe as an American system we all deserve our day in court and are believed innocent until PROVEN guilty.

Following are some facts NOT being reported enough...

1. Although not in the grand jury report but in many newpapers and talk shows, these crimes supposedly continued up to as recently as 3 weeks ago.

2. Gov. Corbett, formerly our Attorney General, opened the investigation against Sandusky while still AG.

3. Gov. Corbett IS a PSU Trustee. Since the Trustee's voted unanimously to fire Joe Paterno for "NOT doing enough", this means Gov. Corbett voted to FIRE Joe Paterno.

Now think about this... AG Corbett is investigating a serious sex crime against minors. Wouldn't a prudent responsible person of such high authority who believes an adult is preying on our children AT LEAST HAVE THE SUSPECT UNDER SURVEILENCE? I mean, how can a prudent responsible person of authority allow this sick pervert to continue to roam freely and attack our children.

TO BE CONTINUED

[Richard Backstrom]

11:29 PM on 11/11/2011

My say on the PSU scandal...

I have been a long time PSU fan. Actually since 1966, JoePa's first season as head coach. I have always admired the man and I still do. The fact that the trustees fell to the pressure of the press without even giving Joe the opportunity to speak sickens me. Let me share with you some "so-called" facts as reported by numerous news sources.

1. Mike McQueary reports to Joe Paterno some "inappropriate" behaviour "anal sex" in the shower between Jerry Sandusky and a young male youth. This was reported as testimony to the grand jury and released by the attorney general's office. It has since been reported as deviate sexual intercourse between Sandusky and a 10 yr old child. To my knowledge this has not been released by the AG's office and is primarily speculation by our press. The full grand jury report can be read at http://www.attorneygeneral.gov​/uploadedFiles/Press/Sandusky-​Grand-Jury-Presentment.pdf

2. AG's office reports that Joe Paterno is NOT being charged with any criminal activities, NOR is he being investigated for any criminal activities.

3. AG's office has charged Sandusky with at least 8 criminal offenses.

4. AG's office brings criminal charges against Shultz and Curley...

5. Paterno's news conference was cancelled by the school... Not allowing him to speak publicly about his involvement.

6. PSU Trustees vote unanimously to FIRE Joe Paterno for "Not doing enough".

TO BE CONTINUED!

[biznesschic]

08:38 AM on 11/12/2011

The inappropriate behavior comment is from Joe himself. Why wouldn't the AC tell him in detail? Here is what I believe happened:

1) The AC tries to tell Joe in graphic detail what he saw. Joe, not wanting to hear it, immediately calls Sandusky after the AC and father leaves.

2) Sandusky tries to sugarcoat the incident, as horseplay, once again.

3) The next day, Paterno calls the AD and tells them that "Jerry got caught in the shower with another kid, again".

4) The AD, calls Sandusky, who gives another sugarcoated excuse.

5) They all decide to take Sandusky's explanation and run with it. After all, they couldn't risk another investigation, since they would have to explain why they let the guy stay around, after being investigated for the same behavior in 1999.

[Goddess Athena]

11:13 AM on 11/11/2011

Why has McQueary been allowed to keep his job? He also had a duty to report what he had seen. He could have gone to his office and called 9-1-1, but he called his father, who told him to go to Joe Paterno the next day.

Sandusky was first investigated for an incident that took place in 1998-1999, when he was still working for Penn State. There is no way that investigation was unknown to the Trustees, the athletic director, the admnistration or Joe Paterno. So when McQueary did not call the police or take immediate action in 2002, it indicates to me that he must have known the University would not want publicity over this. Everyone in the football program should be fired.

[quilltr]

12:00 AM on 11/12/2011

Yes, why didn't he? He seems to have dropped it after he talked to Paterno. In fact, everyone seems to have dropped it after they talked with Paterno. Odd, isn't it?

[biznesschic]

08:39 AM on 11/12/2011

He may have whistle blower protection.

[Areader70]

09:09 AM on 11/11/2011

The Gov. state's "no hesitation to act" but it took 3 years to investigate. All the while the accused is walking the street.

[Pamela Lewis]

10:57 AM on 11/13/2011

I think Tom Corbett as Attorney General has some explaining to do.

[dwill123]

09:06 AM on 11/11/2011

Tom Corbett (now PA governor) was Attorney General of Pennsylvania during the most recent investigation into these sex scandal allegations. I wonder what he really knows?

[markgoode]

05:34 PM on 11/11/2011

The local DA Ray Gricar who had been investigating Sandusky since 1998 (and getting stonewalled by Sandusky, Penn State, and their lawyers) disappeared along with his hard drive in 2005, possibly murdered. Gov. Corbett and former Gov. Rendell have been after these creeps for a long time. What gets me really ticked off is the likelihood that Sandusky knows OTHER WEALTHY PEDOPHILES, possibly a lot of them, and possibly made boys available to them. Now that Sandusky has been arrested, the DA's office needs to investigate every piece of paper and computer records in his life to root out the other sickos preying on America's children.

[Redplum]

04:48 PM on 11/13/2011

Its funny how, the rantings about Joe and MCQ have turned towards Corbett and Spanier..exactly where it needs to stay..the board of trustees, not all, but their will be some, that are more culpable than Joe. Joe..is not a higher authority than they are..and people disagee, but Joe never held himself out to be the head of PSU in any capacity other than head football coach.. The media always put him on a pedestal..he made a life changing mistake in not doing more and I am anxious to see what he meant by that comment because you cant assume calling the police is what he meant. It may mean that he was told that PSU would handle the issue..and sent him away..The trustees are the ones most concerned about "scandal" and they would have had the hidden agenda for covering this all up or downplaying it. Corbett, how does it feel to be under a microscope ?

[avvocato]

08:53 AM on 11/11/2011

This Gov. is a big fat joke. Tax the frackers!

[notoriusbrut]

01:32 PM on 11/11/2011

cause Rendell was so great, cough casino payouts, dirty gambling money cough

[makerofthings]

08:22 AM on 11/11/2011

Huff post is a joke, must be run by Penn state students. Won't post my comments even though
there was nothing vulgar. More cowards in this world than I thought.

[makerofthings]

08:08 AM on 11/11/2011

Penn State students are a joke. Their first priority is the next game. They should go home and look
into the eyes of their little brothers and ask themselves if they really want crud like Paterno to run
their team. I sat in a business meeting the other day and at the end this subject came up, and
when all was said and done we agreed not to ever hire any student from that collage. I hope that
it catches on like OWS. See how they like it when the world is stacked against them like the children.

[Areader70]

09:05 AM on 11/11/2011

So, you have pre judged individuals you have never meet. Why don't you post who you work for so everyone will know that your company discriminates in it's hiring practices. By the way, that is aganist the law.

[silverstreet]

11:47 AM on 11/11/2011

If I were to receive a resume from a Penn State graduate, I would immediately lose it. Penn State students care more about winning a football game than they do about the sexual abuse of a child and its cover-up.

[Goddess Athena]

11:06 AM on 11/11/2011

O live in a county in Pennsylvania where there is a Penn State Campus. Last night, several local Penn State Students who were part of a peaceful protest here were interviewed on the local news and asked what their thoughts were. Many spoke of the hypocricy of firing Joe Paterno but not firing McQueary. To me, those students are not a joke. They see the whole picture and they understand that everyone who knew about Sandusky and covered it up needs to be fired.

[Pamela Lewis]

11:01 AM on 11/13/2011

McQueary probably has whistle blower protection under the law.

[Stacy little]

07:24 AM on 11/11/2011

Stacy Little
It's the board that has ultimate power at PennState ,,,they are the one that covered this scandal up ,, and when things went bad they served up joe's Head to draw the heat away from them ,,the students should tear that school down For what they did to Joe Paterno
Like · · 2 seconds ago

[silverstreet]

11:52 AM on 11/11/2011

Because the sexual abuse of a child is not nearly as important as winning a football game! Joe Paterno knew what was going on -- and kept Sandusky on staff with all the perks.

Go ahead and tear the school down -- let the world see what immoral low-lifes Penn State students really are

[Areader70]

12:14 PM on 11/11/2011

The first reported offense occurred in 1998 and was invesigated by the police. The State of Pa. refused to prosecute the case. He was no longer a coach after 1999. Texas is now investigating what might have occurred at the Alamo bowl in 1999. Why are they just finding out now. The State of Pa. has a obligation to report a crime in another state when it comes to their attention. They withheld information on a crime and never reported to Texas. What if during that time frame, Sandusky went to Texas and committed more act's there?

[LouGots]

06:46 AM on 11/11/2011

"Paterno and Spanier have said they weren't told the exact details of the incident or the seriousness of the matter, "

So they say. Get a grand jury going, get McQueary in there, with immunity if necessary, for McQueary may be implicated in the conspiracy to obstruct justice, especially if he had been rewarded for his silence..

How credible is it to suppose that McQueary saw what he saw and then reported it to Paterno in tentative, equivocal terms. That doesn't ring true. If you or I saw someone buggering a child in a shower, we wouldn't say that it "looked like inappropriate touching,:" or some wishy-washy circumlocution like that.

[celtic]

11:16 AM on 11/11/2011

Yeah, I've heard sources close to McQueary say he was very clear on the specifics on what he told Paterno, Curley! and Schultz. How could he not be? And in unlikely event he wasn't, it's just not believable that Paterno wouldn't say don't be wushu washy tell me exactly what you saw. I've heard Paterno is hiring a criminal lawyer, if he gets on the stand and tries to tell a different story than McQueary, he'll need one.

[Pamela Lewis]

11:03 AM on 11/13/2011

Paterno should be indicted for perjury. It's pretty obvious.