Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Penn State's lawyers have asked a judge to throw out a whistleblower and defamation lawsuit filed by the former assistant coach who says he saw Jerry Sandusky molest a boy in a school shower. In court papers filed today, the university says Mike McQueary’s lawsuit is too vague and does not meet the legal standards to support his claims. McQuery is claiming that then-university president Graham Spanier made him a scapegoat after Sandusky was arrested. But Penn State attorney Nancy Conrad wrote, "It is not enough that the alleged victim of a statement be embarrassed or annoyed, he must have suffered the kind of harm which has grievously fractured his standing in the community of a respectable society.” You can read the court filing here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

HARRISBURG, PA (November 13, 2012) —The Dauphin County Court Administrator’s Office announced today that the preliminary hearing on recently-filed charges against Timothy M. Curley, Gary C. Schultz, and Graham B. Spanier has been scheduled for Thursday, December 13, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., in Courtroom 1 of the Dauphin County Courthouse, Harrisburg, PA. Magisterial District Judge William C. Wenner will preside. If necessary, the hearing will continue on Friday, December 14, 2012. All three defendants were administrators at The Pennsylvania State University. Curley, former athletic director; Schultz, retired senior vice president; and Spanier, former president, are charged with perjury, endangering welfare of children, obstructing administration of law, failure to report, and criminal conspiracy related to sexual assault allegations against former PSU defensive coach Jerry Sandusky. Information on seating availability will be forthcoming and posted on the website. Update...

Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly says former Penn State President Graham Spanier, athletic director Tim Curley and retired vice president for finance and business Gary Schulz were involved in a "conspiracy of silence" regarding the then-allegations against Jerry Sandusky. "This is not a mistake, an oversight or a misjudgment. This was a conspiracy of silence by top officials at Penn State, working to actively conceal the truth, with total disregard to the suffering of children," Kelly said. You can read Kelly's news release and the grand jury presentment here . The university released the following statement on its website: Penn State officials today (Nov. 1) learned of the charges announced at a press conference held by Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly against former University president Graham Spanier, and of additional charges brought against former Athletic Director Tim Curley and former University administrator Gary Schultz, in rel...

UPDATE: Spanier is charged with felony counts of endangering the welfare of children, perjury and conspiracy. He is also charged with misdemeanour counts of obstructing governmental administration. He is scheduled to be in district court in Harrisburg tomorrow. Spanier Docket Sheet PDF Former Penn State University President Graham Spanier is expected to be charged today with perjury and obstruction of justice in connection to the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case. State Attorney General Linda Kelly will hold a news conference this afternoon and is expected to formally announce the charges then. Spanier was forced to resign just days after the charges against Sandusky were filed. Since his resignation, Spanier has become a target of the investigation and the alleged coverup. Spanier denies any knowledge of a 1998 University Police investigation of Sandusky involving a child in a Penn State campus shower, and has always denied any wrongdoing.

Former FBI Director Louis Freeh released his report this morning on the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal. In a press release issued before the report itself, Freeh said that the university's president and football coach Joe Paterno "repeatedly concealed critical facts relating to Sandusky’s child abuse from the authorities, the Board of Trustees, Penn State community, and the public at large. Although concern to treat the child abuser humanely was expressly stated, no such sentiments were ever expressed by them for Sandusky’s victims." For continuing coverage on this story go to MSNBC.com To read the report go here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) will air a special LIVE PCN Call-In program at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 14, to discuss the Penn State sex crimes investigation. Featured guests for this special edition of the PCN Call-In program will include Ed Marsico, Dauphin County District Attorney and Matthew Gover of Gover, Perry & Shore. Rep. Pat Meehan, R- Pennsylvania will be participating in the discussion via phone. Viewers will be able to share their comments and questions concerning the topic during the LIVE hour-long PCN Call-In program just by dialing toll-free at 1-877-PA6-5001.

HARRISBURG – Speaker of the House Samuel H. Smith (R-Jefferson County) today released the following statement regarding the Penn State tragedy and removal of university president Graham Spanier: “There are certain obligations we all share as a society; topping the list is protecting our children. “If the findings of the grand jury are true, the leadership at Penn State failed in this most basic obligation and in a most egregious way. “As a father, my heart goes out to the victims and their families – those who have come forward, and those who have not. As Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, I offer the sympathies of each and every member of the House and the hope that the victims can move forward. “While it may be easy to second-guess the decisions the Penn State Board of Trustees made last night, it was important they take steps to refocus their leadership on the education part of Penn State and away from the ‘business’ of Penn State. Further, they must put in place...

Penn State's Board of Trustees has fired football coach Joe Paterno and university president Graham Spanier amid the child sex scandal involving former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. Paterno statement: "I am disappointed with the Board of Trustees' decision, but I have to accept it. A tragedy occurred, and we all have to have patience to let the legal process proceed. I appreciate the outpouring of support but want to emphasize that everyone should remain calm and please respect the university, its property and all that we value. I have been incredibly blessed to spend my entire career working with people I love. I am grateful beyond words to all of the coaches, players and staff who have been a part of this program. And to all of our fans and supporters, my family and I will be forever in your debt." For more on this story go to CNN.com .