One NCAA case dismissed, second on distribution of Pa. fine funds continues

Pennsylvania’s auditor general says Gov. Tom Corbett’s rejected bid to overturn sanctions against Penn State has no bearing on a separate lawsuit over whether the millions in fines will stay in the commonwealth or be routed all over the country.

 

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale is one of the defendants in a lawsuit filed by the NCAA to strike down a state law requiring the $60 million in fines levied against Penn State to stay in the commonwealth and go to abuse victims organizations.

 

The governor attempted to overturn the financial penalty and other sanctions against the university for its football program’s role in the Jerry Sandusky child molestation case.

Now, a federal judge has tossed out the lawsuit, and DePasquale says he hopes the NCAA will drop its countersuit against the commonwealth.

The lawsuits are a waste of taxpayers’ money, DePasquale said.

“And at the end of the day, all of that money, you know, it helps some lawyers, but it’s not focused on the kids,” he said. “And if both sides are going to say they care about the kids, then let’s see it, and let that $60 million actually help some kids.”

The governor’s office of general counsel spent $400,000 contracting private lawyers to work on the failed attempt to overturn the NCAA sanctions.

The lawyers worked for Philadelphia firm Cozen O’Connor.