Penn. Gov. Says Joe Paterno 'Failed Moral Obligation' to Stop Jerry Sandusky Abusing Kids
Says laws need to be changed to require people to report abuse
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett said that legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, is partially to blame for the child-rape allegations Jerry Sandusky is facing because “Joe Pa” did not do more.
A grand jury indictment that outlines some of the child-rape charges against Sandusky says that a graduate assistant witnessed Sandusky raping a 10-year-old boy in the locker room showers and then told Paterno about the incident. Paterno alerted his superiors, fulfilling his legal obligation, but did not take further action.
According to Gov. Corbett, Paterno "did not, in my opinion, meet a moral obligation that all of us would have," the Republican governor said today on “Meet the Press” on NBC.
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Paterno was fired after 45 years on the job as the head coach of Penn State football as a result of the accusations against Sandusky.
The popular president of Penn State, Graham Spanier, was also let go, and Corbett said he has no regrets over the decision to terminate two of Penn State's figureheads due to their lack of action.
"I've always have said, your actions speak louder than your words. That should not have been able to continue," Corbett said. "The actions or the failure to act while maybe not criminal, caused me not to have confidence in the president and in the coach."
Corbett also says that laws need to be changed to require people to report child abuse.
“I'm sure that, within the next few weeks, you will probably see bills become public. I wouldn't be surprised to see if a bill was passed between now and the end of this year,” he told “Meet the Press.”
According to various reports, Paterno fought the decision to fire him and that he wanted to finish the season before retiring.
"I am disappointed with the board of trustees' decision, but I have to accept it," he said in a written statement. “This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.”
