Freeh's Scathing Report an Unusual 'Road Map' to Litigation Against Penn State, Lawyers Say
Sadly, institutional cover-ups concerning suspected or actual sexual abuse of minors are not a rarity. But what is unusual is the scathing internal report made to Pennsylvania State University’s board of trustees this week by former FBI Director Louis Freeh concerning Jerry Sandusky.
Discussed by Freeh at a news conference, the 267-page account of his eight-month investigation of Penn State’s handling of accusations of child sex-abuse against the now-convicted former assistant football coach concludes that school leaders for years covered up allegations against Sandusky. That will likely provide additional ammunition to victims of Sandusky expected to pursue civil litigation against Penn State, which has a substantial income and endowment, according to Chicago attorney Andrew Stoltmann.
“You don’t typically see a road map like this provided,” Stoltmann, who isn’t involved in such a suit, told Reuters.
Plaintiffs lawyers area already revving their engines following the Freeh report, according to the New York Daily News.
Among them is attorney Tom Kline, who does represent a potential plaintiff. The Freeh report also could assist those involved in ongoing criminal probes, he points out.
“Penn State faces civil liability in many lawsuits,” he told the Daily News after Freeh’s press conference. “The criminal investigations included the Department of Justice, the Attorney General’s office, the Department of Education, and the NCAA. They’re looking at Penn State. The Freeh report serves as a road map for all of the [legal] actions underway. That includes the civil suit I intend to bring.”
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Convicted and Jailed, Ex-Penn State Asst. Coach Jerry Sandusky Is Expected to Appeal”
ABAJournal.com: “Penn State Officials Reportedly Discussed ‘Humane Approach’ of Keeping Silent on Sandusky”
ABAJournal.com: “Report Says Joe Paterno Knew of Sandusky Concerns in 1998”
