NCAA to end challenge of law giving state officials control of $60M Penn State fine in Sandusky case
The governing body of college sports has decided to try to bow out of litigation challenging the validity of a 2013 state law that requires state officials to oversee the expenditure of $60 million in sanctions levied by the National College Athletic Association against Pennsylvania State University. The fine concerned the institution’s handling of the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal.
If a Commonwealth Court judge OKs the Friday motion to dismiss filed by the NCAA, the organization says it will also move to dismiss a related federal lawsuit, according to the Associated Press and the Patriot-News.
“Our legal case is strong, but we believe even more strongly in preventing child sexual abuse and aiding survivors,” the NCAA said in a Monday written statement, explaining that the litigation is slowing down the expenditure of the $60 million, “undermining the very intent of the fine.”
Sandusky, who formerly served as an assistant football coach at Penn State, is serving a 30- to 60-year prison term. He maintains his innocence, but his effort to appeal his conviction has, so far, been unsuccessful.
Related civil and criminal cases are ongoing.
Additional and related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Penn State Avoids NCAA ‘Death Penalty,’ Is Fined $60M, Faces More Sanctions re Child Sex-Abuse Case”
ABAJournal.com: “Penn State says it will pay $60M to 26 Sandusky victims”
Reuters: “New suit alleging sex abuse filed against Jerry Sandusky”
Patriot-News: “Where the criminal case against Penn State’s Graham Spanier stands: No news is, well, no news”
