On the one hand, Gerald A. Sandusky, the alleged perpetrator in the Penn State football sexual abuse scandal, did a lot of good. He founded The Second Mile program, which was designed to help boys from troubled backgrounds. The charity’s chapters have now sprung up across the commonwealth. Sandusky was “the primary fund raiser” for Second Mile. He raised millions for this good cause—but he also likely sexually abused at least 8 recipients of his charity, if not many more.
Yes, the Grand Jury’s Findings of Fact are quite damning, as there is ample corroborating evidence provided by witnesses other than Sandusky’s victims, as well as phone records chronicling Sandusky’s obsessive preoccupation with this or the other victim. (Sixty phone calls to a teenage boy?) There were expensive gifts as well. When the mother of victim #six complained to University Police after her boy was returned home hair wet from showering with Sandusky, the investigation was abruptly terminated.
In a conversation with that mom (recorded by police), Sandusky said he wished he were dead. A very twisted and tormented man is this. A married man, no less. A little less hysteria and a lot more factual reporting in the media, and you’d learn that Sandusky is indeed married and has adopted children. My, my, what an intricate web he wove and what a generous helping hand he got from the authorities.
The worst testimony comes from a 28-year-old “graduate assistant” who witnessed Sandusky in the locker room’s showers having sex with a boy aged ten! This incident was never reported to the police, university and other. The victim was not identified.
Nevertheless, as bad as the evidence appears to be, let the man have his day in a court of law.