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Second Mile Charity Issues Statement On Jerry Sandusky Scandal

Second Mile, the charity former Penn St. Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky allegedly used to come into illegal contact with nine boys, has issued a statement.

According to the grand jury's presentment on Sandusky and other reports, the longtime coach met children through the charity and football camps, bringing boys onto campus, to games and along on bowl trips. After unreported allegations of child molestation, Sandusky was told by Penn State officials not to bring any more kids onto campus. That ban didn't last for long.

Here's the statement in full, in which it's revealed Sandusky knew he was being investigated three years ago:

The newly released details and the breadth of the allegations from the Attorney General's office bring shock, sadness and concern from The Second Mile organization. Our prayers, care and compassion go out to all impacted.

The most recent reports we've read this past weekend state that Mr. Sandusky met the alleged victims through The Second Mile. To our knowledge, all the alleged incidents occurred outside of our programs and events. However, we are encouraging anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact investigators from the Office of Attorney General at 814-863-1053 or Pennsylvania State Police at 814-470-2238.

As The Second Mile's CEO Jack Raykovitz testified to the Grand Jury, he was informed in 2002 by Pennsylvania State University Athletic Director Tim Curley that an individual had reported to Mr. Curley that he was uncomfortable about seeing Jerry Sandusky in the locker room shower with a youth. Mr. Curley also shared that the information had been internally reviewed and that there was no finding of wrongdoing. At no time was The Second Mile made aware of the very serious allegations contained in the Grand Jury report.

Subsequently, in November 2008, Mr. Sandusky informed The Second Mile that he had learned he was being investigated as a result of allegations made against him by an adolescent male in Clinton County, PA. Although he maintained there was no truth to the claims, we are an organization committed first and foremost to the safety and well-being of the children we serve. Consistent with that commitment and with The Second Mile policy, we immediately made the decision to separate him from all of our program activities involving children. Thus, from 2008 to present, Mr. Sandusky has had no involvement with Second Mile programs involving children.

The Second Mile was first contacted by the Attorney General's office in early 2011. Since then, we have done everything in our power to cooperate with law-enforcement officials and will continue to do so.

Our highest priority always has been and will continue to be the safety and well-being of the children participating in our programs. We encourage program participants to report any allegations of abuse and/or inappropriate sexual activity wherever it has occurred, and we take any such reports directly to Child Protective Services. We have many policies and procedures designed to protect our participants, including employee and volunteer background checks, training and supervision of our activities.

The Second Mile has helped thousands of Pennsylvania's children to lead better lives, and we remain committed to that mission. Our success is a result of the trust placed in us by the families and professionals with whom we partner, and we will take any steps needed to maintain their confidence in us.

For more on the Nittany Lions, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries. Follow along here for updates on the Jerry Sandusky case.

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Hey, all you cowardly PSU administrators (AND head football coaches):

This is how your press releases on the topic should have read. No buck-passing. No promises of ‘unconditional support’ for men charged with heinous crimes.

Also, those press releases should have come out years and years ago, right after you called the cops on this lowlife.

11 01 10
Veni Vidi Vixi

by WhereThere'sAWillieThere'sAMays on Nov 8, 2011 2:24 PM EST reply actions  

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