Ex-PSU leaders get prison in Sandusky sex abuse case

Former Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley and former vice president Gary Schultz are pictured at a 2011 news conference addressing the Jerry Sandusky child sex assault investigation. Both men were sentenced to prison terms on Friday. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

June 2 (UPI) — Three former Penn State University officials were sentenced to serve time in prison Friday for their roles in the Jerry Sandusky sex assault case.

Former school president Graham Spanier, former athletic director Tim Curley and former PSU vice president Gary Schultz were all sentenced Friday.

Spanier was given 4 to 12 months in prison — two months in jail and two under house arrest — while Curley received a term of 7 to 23 months, and Schultz 6 to 23 months. Curley’s sentence was the most severe, as he must serve three months in prison followed by four months of house arrest. All three must also pay a fine and perform community service.

Spanier, Curley and Schultz were implicated in the Sandusky case in 2011 and accused of keeping information about a reported 2001 sex assault from police and child welfare officials.

“These men are good people who made a terrible mistake,” judge Judge John Boccabella said. “Why no one made a phone call to police … is beyond me.”

“I deeply regret I didn’t intervene more forcefully,” Spanier told the court Friday.

Spanier, 69, went to trial and was convicted of misdemeanor child endangerment in March after a five-year prosecution. Curley and Schultz pleaded guilty to the same charge. Friday, Spanier indicated he will appeal the conviction.

“This is a Shakespearean tragedy. It is a fall from grace that is unfortunate, yet well deserved,” Boccabella added.

Sandusky, a Penn State football assistant coach for 30 years, was convicted in 2012 of assaulting 10 boys and was sentenced to between 30 and 60 years in prison.

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