Accused of looking the other way, 2 Penn State officials vow to fight charges

Lawyers for two Penn State officials say they’ll fight charges they looked the other way after hearing allegations of child sexual abuse by former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. The former coach remained a major presence on the campus even after his 1999 retirement.

Athletic director Tim Curley and senior Vice President Gary Schultz are charged with failing to report suspected child abuse and perjury before a grand jury investigating Sandusky.

At his request, Curley has taken of leave of absence from his job; Schultz has retired.

Surrounded by reporters after an arraignment hearing Monday, Thomas Farrell, the attorney for Schultz, says prosecutors have “manufactured” their charge of perjury.

He said head coach Joe Paterno gave Schultz and Curley only a vague account of inappropriate behavior.

“You folks may have seen Mr. Paterno’s statement. Mr. Paterno’s statement matches their statement,” said Farrell. “They were given a general allegation.”

Curley’s attorney, Caroline Roberto, says the “failure to report” charge is an offense no stronger than a “speeding ticket.”

“Under the law, the duty to report didn’t even apply to Tim Curley or the situation at Penn State,” she said.

Farrell said both men told the truth to the grand jury.

A preliminary hearing, when the prosecution will likely lay out the details of the case, is set for later this month.