Corbett backs selection of Freeh to lead Penn State investigation

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett is backing the selection of Louis Freeh, former FBI director, to lead an independent investigation into Penn State University’s response to allegations of child sexual abuse by its former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

Freeh, also a U.S. District Court judge, said Monday he’s been assured that no one at Penn State will be off-limits during his investigation, which comes with no deadline or time-table.

“We have been asked to do this with a commitment to show no favoritism toward any of the parties whose action we will be reviewing, including the board of trustees,” Freeh said.

Corbett, who said Freeh is a good choice for the job, said he has no worries that the Penn State investigation will get in the way of state attorney general’s investigation into Sandusky.

Freeh “understands the role of a grand jury investigation, the role of the prosecutors and will work well with the attorney general’s office and Attorney General Linda Kelly so that does not happen,” Corbett said.

Corbett’s spokesman, Kevin Harley, wouldn’t address questions Monday that Penn State was too close to The Second Mile charity run by Sandusky.

“That’s really something that maybe Louie Freeh and his investigation will look at,” Harley said.

Freeh said his team immediately will report any evidence of criminality to law enforcement.

Ken Frazier, chair of the Penn State Special Committee formed in response to the Sandusky case, said Freeh’s interim reports will not be released to the public.