Freeh Report Finds Penn State, Joe Paterno Covered Up Sandusky Scandal

The findings of former FBI director Louis Freeh regarding the sex abuse scandal at Penn State were released on Thursday morning.

The Freeh Report found that the university's reaction to allegations against Jerry Sandusky was, indeed, inadequate. Penn State officials, including former head football coach Joe Paterno, concealed critical facts...to avoid the consequences of bad publicity.

Four of the most powerful people at The Pennsylvania State University - President Graham B. Spanier, Senior Vice President-Finance and Business Gary C. Schultz, Athletic Director Timothy M. Curley and Head Football Coach Joseph V. Paterno - failed to protect against a child sexual predator harming children for over a decade. These men concealed Sandusky's activities from the Board of Trustees, the University community and authorities, states the 267-page report.

According to Freeh, Sandusky was not limited to the use the school's facilities, even though officials were aware of his transgressions.

The most saddening finding by the Special Investigative Counsel is the total and consistent disregard by the most senior leaders at Penn State for the safety and welfare of Sandusky's victims.

While many Penn State fans were outraged by Paterno's firing during the 2011 Season, the report indicates that he was well aware of what Sandusky had been accused of. Sandusky retired in 1999, but was given free lifetime use of East Area Locker Room facilities.

When Sandusky was found to have been molesting a child in the shower by Mike McQueary in 2001, Spanier, Schultz and Curley decided to report the former assistant. After speaking to Paterno, the men decided against telling the Department of Welfare.

Paterno died in January and was never interviewed for the report. Sandusky was found guilty on 45 of 48 charges of sexual abuse in June. He will likely spend the rest of his life in jail.

Click here for the full Freeh Report.