Former Phila. DA to Represent Charity Founded by Ex-Penn State Asst. Coach Charged with Child Abuse
Among a number of individuals and organizations apparently bracing for civil litigation after news that a former assistant football coach at Penn State has been charged with multiple counts of child sex abuse is the child-oriented charity that the coach founded in 1977.
The Second Mile has retained Lynne Abraham, a former Philadelphia district attorney who is now a partner of Archer & Greiner, as part of a new legal team, Reuters reports.
It has also accepted the resignation of its chief executive for the past 28 years, Jack Raykovitz, on Sunday.
Raykovitz, who is a psychologist, said he had been told by officials at Penn State that a graduate student witness to a 2002 shower incident had simply been “uncomfortable” at seeing assistant coach Jerry Sandusky showering with a boy of about 10 years old, according to the New York Times.
However, in his subsequent testimony, years later, before a grand jury, the witness, who also went on to become an assistant football coach at Penn State, said he had warned officials about seeing Sandusky allegedly raping the boy in the shower.
Sandusky met all eight of his alleged victims at the Second Mile. He was charged Nov. 5 with 40 counts of sexual abuse of young boys over a period of 15 years.
He told NBC’s Bob Costa that he is innocent of the charges, having only showered and engaged in some horseplay, the network reports on its Rock Center page.
Sandusky was released on $100,000 unsecured bail, msnbc reports. Prosecutors had sought $500,000 and a leg monitor.
The judge who released Sandusky on unsecured bail is a former Second Mile volunteer, the article notes.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says court officials had no immediate comment about the unsecured bail, which Sandusky will have to pay only if he does not appear for hearings as required.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Merck CEO to Investigate Penn State Football Scandal; Ex-Coach Paterno Hires King & Spalding Leader”
Last updated at 7:39 p.m. to include Rock Center information about NBC interview.
