We have followed the Penn State-Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal since the news broke nearly a year ago.  This week, the saga has neared end.  Former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky was sentenced to 60 years in prison.

In June, Sandusky was convicted of 45 counts of child sexual abuse-related crimes including:

• Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse,
• Indecent assault,
• Criminal intent to commit indecent assault,
• Unlawful contact with minors,
• Corruption of minors, and
• Endangering the welfare of children

His charges stemmed from the abuse of 10 boys over a 15-year period. Sandusky became acquainted with the victims through his charity The Second Mile, an organization founded to assist underprivileged children and their families.

The maximum penalty for all of Sandusky’s convictions was 400 years.  Judge John Cleland sentenced the 68-year-old to 60 years behind bars, giving 112 days credit for time served. Sandusky will be eligible for parole in 30 years. Judge Cleland also declared the former coach a sexually violent offender. This designation will require Sandusky to participate in specialized programs and will determine his housing placement in prison.

Throughout the scope of the case, Sandusky and his family have insisted on his innocence. Sandusky maintained “I did not do these disgusting acts”. However, Sandusky did not protest the judge’s decision to label him a sexually violent offender.

Jerry Sandusky and his criminal defense attorneys now have until next Friday to appeal the sentence and the conviction. According to Sandusky’s attorney Joe Amendola, they intend to do just that. We will continue to follow the progress of the case should Sandusky’s defense team follow through with their plan to appeal.

Jerry Sandusky is only part of a larger problematic we’ve dubbed The NCAA Sex Scandal:

• The case continues for former Penn State administrators who are charged with failing to report allegations of sexual abuse.
• Poly Prep high school football coach Phil Foglietta is accused of being involved in a complex child prostitution ring that is alleged to also have included Jerry Sandusky.
• Minnesota State University head football coach Todd Hoffner has been charged with two counts of felony child pornography.
• Syracuse head basketball coach Bernie Fine was accused of molesting two university ball boys. Due to the statute of limitations, Fine was not charged.
• Although not affiliated with college sports, former MN prep school teacher Lynn Seibel was arrested and charged with criminal sexual conduct against children and possession of child pornography.

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New allegations now place Jerry Sandusky in the midst of an organized ring of pedophiles and child prostitutes. According to 48-year-old Greg Bucceroni, he was paid to have sex with former Poly Prep football coach Phil Foglietta in 1979.  Bucceroni claims that he became acquainted with Foglietta through a fundraiser hosted by the Second Mile, Jerry Sandusky’s youth charity organization.

This information was supposed via an email sent by Bucceroni to the Poly Prep highschool administration. In the email, the man claimed to have been a part of an elaborate child prostitution ring that included Sandusky and Foglietta as patrons.

“(Between) 1977-1980 I was a child prostitute associated with a tri-state (NYC-NJ-PA) pedophile ring. (During the) summer of 1979 I was brought to the State College area by Ed Savitz for the purpose of child prostitution with Jerry Sandusky at a Second Mile fundraiser,” Bucceroni wrote in the email. “Due to time constraints, Sandusky became unavailable and I was introduced to Phil Foglietta by Ed Savitz & Jerry Sandusky. Foglietta was introduced to us as Coach Phil who coached youth football in NYC. Foglietta agreed to pay $200.00 for child sex and followed us back to a Philadelphia hotel, myself (sic)ad another child prostitute then engaged coach Phil in child sex.”

Poly Prep is currently being sued by 10 male students alleging to have been abused by the former coach. The lawsuit was filed in 2009 and is requesting $20 million per plaintiff.

Until further details are made available, it is difficult to speculate as to how such accusations may play out for Jerry Sandusky, who is awaiting sentencing following his conviction for 45 counts of child molestation. However, if sex trafficking is involved, those involved could be facing new criminal charges.

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It’s yet another case of NCAA coaches behaving badly.  Yesterday, Minnesota State University, Mankato head football coach Todd Hoffner was charged with two counts of felony child pornography. Two videos were found on the coach’s university-issued cellphone which reportedly depicted the nudity of Hoffner’s three young children: two girls aged 5 and 9, and an 8-year-old boy.

Hoffner’s criminal defense attorney Jim Fleming denied that the videos depicted any illegal activity, stating “There’s nothing in that video that is descriptive, graphic, abusive or exploitative… We are going to fight this… My client is innocent. We will fight this to the very end.” However, prosecutor Michael Hanson argued in Blue Earth court that Hoffner be denied contact with his children.

The videos do not depict any sexual contact between the children and adults. Fleming argued in court that that the images “could be seen as something completely different than what they are assuming.”

In Blue Earth County Court on Wednesday, Hoffner was charged with using minors in a sexual performance or pornographic work and possessing pornography involving minors. He was released from jail that night after posting $40,000 bail.

The case was brought to the Mankato Department of Public Safety by DeeAnn Snaza, the assistant director of human resources at MSU. Hoffner visited the IT department because his phone wasn’t functioning properly. Hoffner requested that backup copies of the videos be retrieved, at which point the supervisor saw the footage and reported it to human resources. Hoffner was arrested on Tuesday.

Responding to Penn State comparisons, university spokesman Dan Benson was quick to announce that the “The university is not aware of any allegations affecting university students or program participants.”

While details of the case against Hoffner are still unclear, the administration handled the issue quickly and seemingly appropriately in the wake of Penn State.

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For those of you who still can’t get enough Jerry Sandusky, new reports indicate that the assistant coach-turned-convicted child molester will be penning his memoirs from his prison cell.  Dottie Sandusky is said to be heavily involved in the creative process, so much so that prison officials have reportedly suspended her correspondence privileges with her husband.

Considering the involvement of Dottie Sandusky–who continually stood by her husband and argued his innocence–this won’t be the confession that many are hoping for. According to Sandusky’s criminal defense attorney Joe Amendola, Sandusky is likely writing the book in order to share his side story. It is unsurprising that Sandusky would want a second chance to do so, given the terrible impression he made during a television interview with Bob Costas.

The former Penn State assistant football coach is no stranger to the literary world. In 2001, he co-authored an autobiography aptly titled Touched: The Jerry Sandusky Story.  Reviews for the book have been, in general, less than favorable.

However, Sandusky’s new-found infamy could ultimately attract a competent ghostwriter who can help steer the 68-year-old from the lascivious tone present in his previous attempts at explaining his actions. In July, Sandusky’s lawyers filed an appeal claiming the judge filed an improper order that was not agreed upon by both parties.  While it is unlikely that the book will be useful in appealing his conviction, it could turn out to be the next literary masterpiece. After all, Don Quixote was written from a prison cell.

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The Sandusky defense team rested today without calling the alleged child-sex abuser to testify. The media has been abuzz with speculation about whether or not the former Penn State coach would take the stand. Today, that question has been answered and the trial now moves to jury deliberation.

Was it a smart move to keep Sandusky silent during trial? MN criminal defense attorney Avery Appelmanargues that, in a way, he already has:

“The state played the Costas interview in full and provided transcripts for the jury to read. They heard Sandusky answer questions, quite similar to those that the state would ask. So the real question would have been: Does Sandusky need to take the stand and deny each and every allegation brought up in the trial?”

Apparently, the answer would  be no.

It seems as though Joe Amendola and the rest of the attorney team dedicated much of the defense to addressing the aforementioned Bob Costas NY Times interview. During the conversation, Sandusky provided a series of bizarre answers which perhaps served only to work against his case. The defense called a psychologist to testify that Sandusky exhibits telltale symptoms of a histrionic personality disorder, an argument quite obviously meant to excuse his odd behavior and admissions during the interview. This testimony may be weakened by the fact that Sandusky did not testify in court today. Appelman says that “In order for his psychiatrist to have effectively moved forward with his histrionic personality disorder defense, Sandusky should have testified to lay the foundation for his behaviors that give rise to the mental condition.”

Additionally, Appelman posits that the risk in a defendant taking the stand is that he may be cross-examined and have his credibility attacked by the prosecution.

“That would have certainly happened here. The state was licking its lips at the prospect of Sandusky taking the stand. His outright denials would have allowed the state to ask  if he is calling all of his accusers liars and follow up with why all of these young men, unconnected with each other would lie about something so horrible and subject themselves to public scrutiny and cross examination. There would have been no positive manner for in which Sandusky to respond.”

With the conclusion of the defense, the jury will now begin deliberation for the 51 counts of child sexual abuse. If convicted, Sandusky could receive hundreds of years in prison.

MN criminal defense attorney Geoffrey Saltzstein estimates that the jury will be back with a decision in just a couple of days.  ”I don’t envy Joe Amendola. The Sandusky team had a difficult task and ultimately, the trial seems to favor the prosecution. The state simply made the better arguments. In all likelihood, he’s going down for this.”

The attorneys for Jerry Sandusky will soon present their defense to the jury as the child sexual abuse trial carries on. According to court documents, the judge is allowing a defense mounted on psychiatric evaluation to be entered. The defense team will argue that Sandusky suffers from a histronic personality disorder. This is a psychiatric condition marked by dramatic and often inappropriate behavior done to elicit approval from others.

A psychologist will take the stand at trial and testify that the recorded statements made by Sandusky are indicative of someone from histronic personality disorder.

According to MN criminal defense attorney Avery Appelman, the Sandusky team is choosing a very risky defense, one which argues “my client only did these acts because he suffers from a mental illness that impairs his ability to control his impulses.” Historically, defenses of this nature tend to fail in court.

“The defense is raising this psychological defense to combat the number of very personal letters Sandusky wrote to some of his accusers and to explain his answers in the ill advised and un-prepared-for Bob Costas interview where Sandusky failed to deny outright that he had a sexual orientation toward boys. The defense is hoping to portray Sandusky as a gregarious, extrovert, who exhibits outlandish behavior (histrionics) as a result of a personality disorder. This is not an attempt to excuse any sexual contact, but rather to remedy the mistakes made during the interview.

The defense also intends to argue that in Sandusky’s “football culture”, behavior such as showering with children is considered normal and acceptable, but that there was no sexual motivation behind his actions. The defense also intends to rely on the close knit bond that football players have with one another as a means to explain the allegations. Something along the lines of “we football players smack each other on the butt all the time, it is an act of endearment and encouragement” not one of sexual predisposition.

I am positive the defense intends to call a variety of witnesses to testify to the physical play among football players and the culture surrounding the team. This most likely will have little impact on the jury’s view of the case. By now they have heard from many witnesses alleging forcible sexual penetration by a much older and powerful figure in their lives. Football culture and butt smacking won’t carry much weight in court.”

Jerry Sandusky is back in the headlines as more damning evidence surfaces in relation to the litany of child sexual abuse charges against the former coach. NBC News recently obtained a 1998 report from clinical psychologist Dr. Alycia Chambers who, after interviewing an alleged victim, described Sandusky’s behavior as “a likely pedophile’s pattern” and continued that his work at The Second Mile charity had “a typical pedophile overture.”

Click here to view the psychologist’s 1998 report

The analysis was included in a 1998 police report in which an 11-year-old boy stated that Sandusky “wrestled with” and “squeezed” him in the Penn State University showers.  Dr. Chambers spoke publicly about the files this week, telling NBC News that “I thought…my report was strong enough to suggest that this was somebody who should be watched.” This report was made nearly 4 years before graduate assistant Mike McQueary told the late head football coach Joe Paterno and other top university administrators that he observed Jerry Sandusky sexually assaulting a young boy in the Penn State field house.

Click here to view the 1998 incident report.

According to Joe Amendola, the criminal defense attorney for Sandusky, he intends to dispute her findings by calling on other psychologists to re-examine the files. “I understand that there are some people who could look at this behavior and say it’s a pedophile problem. But there are others who will say, ‘This is somebody who loves kids and loves to be around them’ … It’s the old story, you get your expert and I’ll get my expert.”

Former Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and university Vice President Gary Schultz are currently awaiting trial for charges of perjury and failing to report. Prosecutors claim that the prominent administrative figures knew about the abuse, but failed to report it and then later lied about their knowledge to a grand jury. Joe Paterno was slated to testify against Schultz and Curley, but a judge ruled that his death at age 85 voids his earlier testimony.

Jerry Sandusky is currently awaiting trial for 52 separate charges related to what prosecutors call a 15-year-long pattern of predatory abuse of adolescent boys. Sandusky denies all charges and on Thursday, the former coach’s attorney asked a judge to dismiss a number of those charges, claiming that some of the reports are not detailed enough, some are missing evidence, and the statute of limitations has run out for 8 of the 10 victims. Amendola is also calling for the dismissal of the 1998 police reports, claiming that Sandusky was not read his Miranda rights and therefore, the evidence cannot be used. The defense team also called for the trial to be delayed, but a judge has since denied that request.

According to MN criminal defense attorney Geoff Saltzstein, “The 1998 report begs the age old question of what the proper use of prophylactic prosecution and law enforcement is.  In other words, should more have been done to restrict Sandusky’s freedom in the first place, even if his behavior had not risen to the level of criminal misconduct?  Even the most dangerous “patients” at various state hospitals throughout the country were generally found guilty of something that gave rise to the abolition of their due process rights.  Hindsight is always 20/20, but do we ultimately want to give the government the power to lock-up anybody on a whim?”

Click here to catch up with our coverage of the NCAA Sex Scandal.

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This Sunday, former Penn State head football coach passed away from lung cancer. The 85-year-old was fired in November after the media exposed his mishandling of the Jerry Sandusky child-sexual-abuse fiasco.

The town of State College is mourning the loss of their iconic football coach, a man who served as their hero for the 46-years he spent with the Nittany Lions, a man whose name remained untarnished until just recently. An enormous statue of Paterno stands in the center of town, exemplifying his status among the local community.

The public opinion has undertones of skepticism. Many wonder if it really was lung cancer that caught up to Paterno, or if it wasn’t the enormous stress he had endured. A Penn State professor vocalized this sentiment, saying “I can’t help thinking that his death is somehow related.” The lung cancer was diagnosed shortly after the decision was made to fire Paterno.

Jerry Sandusky, the assistant coach who has been charged with sexually abusing at least 10 boys, has spoken out to voice his condolences and best wishes for the Paterno family. Sandusky is currently awaiting trial on multiple charges of criminal sexual conduct.

The Penn State Board of Trustees released a statement saying, “We grieve for the loss of Joe Paterno, a great man who made us a greater university. His dedication to ensuring his players were successful both on the field and in life is legendary and his commitment to education is unmatched in college football. His life, work and generosity will be remembered always.”

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This Sunday, former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky sat down for an interview with a NY Times reporter to discuss everything from his life growing up to the allegations of sexual abuse. Victims are outraged after hearing his statements, while others are puzzled as to why he gave another interview. During the nearly 4-hour conversation in the presence of his defense attorney, Sandusky is bumbling, nervous, and at times seemingly incoherent. He makes a number of potentially damning admissions while simultaneously maintaining his innocence. We have provided some excerpts from that interview.

On his experience with the Second Mile:

“I had a great experience with people. I had kid after kid after kid who might say I was a father figure like Shane or something like that and they just twisted that all. And you know, some things could be plausible that they came up with, but they haven’t been fair and I guess it’s created a whole monster.”

On physical activity with children:

“I don’t, I wasn’t, I mean, I was just me. I don’t know. You know, like I said, I grew up in a recreation center that was constant activity. I worked on a playground. I loved active kids. I couldn’t stand to have kids sitting around doing nothing. I wanted them playing ball. I wanted them doing this… When I was growing up we went to the swimming pool. The swimming pool would go like ‘swwshhh” when my friends and I would go in the pool… I wasn’t being anything else other than, you know, like, uh, when I worked on a playground that’s what I wanted, that’s what I did. I had other jobs, you know but they didn’t interrelate. I love just fooling, you know, I got kids involved throwing water balloons, you know like, that, you know, like at picnics I had water balloon tosses. I would do those kinds of things.”

On the first allegations: (Referring to the initial confrontation by the victim’s mother)

“This is how she started: You showered with him, did you shower with him, have you showered with other kids… yes. Nothing, nothing happened. I said to her, I said, can we get your son and, and, and maybe just talk. ‘Oh, no, no not gonna do that. Not gonna do that.’ I said well, now I feel bad for that perception. You know, that he had something that bothered him like that. I’m sure I said I’m sorry. I don’t, with all my heart; I don’t believe I said anything about killing myself or anything like that… That’s been reported, I know that’s been reported, I can’t believe I said that. I would be 95%, 99% sure, I don’t know why I would have said that.”

When asked about his thoughts on the litany of victims who have come forward, Sandusky likened the situations to commonplace issues experiences within a family setting:

“Those kinds of things, there are instances where you get wrapped up and you have pride and you want to see certain things. You want to see someone responding, someone who is sensitive, in particular cases it was asking him to do something for somebody else, for others. And if you’re tired, maybe you its came for football camp for three weeks or something, you know, you might, you might even say things that could be hurtful, to them too. So, those kind of things happen. You know, they happen in families. Things happen in families, the only thing that, that is probably more different… You’re not there on a regular basis to recover. To uh, to, and, and, and kids might not understand that. They might not have a clue about unconditional love. They might not have a clue about, you’re gonna have conflicts, you’re gonna have ups and downs, but you know, if, if, if it means enough to you, you get through it.”

In conclusion, when asked about his life today, Sandusky had this to say:

“I miss, you know, I miss coaching, I miss Second Mile, I miss Second Mile kids, I miss having relationships with all kinds of people, I miss my own grandkids, I miss… I don’t miss my dog. The one that that can never be taken away is the memories. You know, fighting, aligning with great people, having enjoyment… People: seeing them committed, caring, having the courage. Those football players, you know, upset somebody that they shouldn’t have between able to beat or one of the second mile kids overcame huge obstacles and succeeded, and they can never take away all those memories and family did what we asked and how nobody was ever perfect but whether it was play on the field , but, you know, you just cling to those memories.”

Stay tuned as we continue our coverage and legal analysis of the NCAA Sex Scandal, Penn State, and Syracuse University.

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