Former Penn State President Accused of Child Endangerment
Former Penn State president Graham Spanier was convicted of child endangerment on Friday, March 24 due to an involvement in the sexual abuse scandal with former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.
Because he helped cover up sexual abuse complaints against Sandusky, the Pennsylvania jury warranted conviction on one of three charges against Spanier. The jury, however, acquitted Spanier of conspiracy and a second count of child endangerment, reported by the Associated Press.
According to Pennlive, “Prosecutors had argued that Spanier broke the law when, after receiving a 2001 report that graduate assistant Mike McQueary had seen Sandusky naked with a young boy in the showers at Penn State’s Lasch Building, he did not demand that it be reported immediately to child protection authorities.”
Spanier’s silence encouraged Sandusky to sexually assault at least three more boys before he was arrested in 2011.
Sandusky first committed his crime on a boy who was identified as victim 7. Victim 7 accused Sandusky of touching him in ways that made him uncomfortable, primarily during car rides and when the two showered after a workout.
Sandusky continued to have inappropriate contact with ten more boys over a 15-year period. His actions included but were not limited to touching, joining showers, hugging in showers and engaging in sexual activities.
The jury found Sandusky guilty of 45 out of 48 counts of sexual abuse. He is currently serving a term of 30 – 60 years in prison.
According to the NPR, earlier this year, two of Spanier’s former administrators plead guilty to misdemeanors and were expected to testify against their former boss.