Our story starts here: Former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, once considered Joe Paterno's (photo above) heir apparent, was charged with sexually assaulting eight boys over a 15-year period. Among the allegations was a 2002 incident in which a graduate assistant for the team said he saw Sandusky assault a boy in the shower at the Nittany Lions' practice center.
Update: Two Penn State officials surrendered Monday on charges that they failed to report suspected child-sexual abuse by a former coach and committed perjury in their related grand jury testimony.
The pair are accused of failing to alert police to complaints that former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky had sexually abused eight boys. They are also charged with lying to a state grand jury investigating the former defensive coordinator. Schultz, 62, and Curley, 57, are innocent and will seek to have the charges dismissed, their lawyers said. Curley's lawyer, Caroline Roberto, called the case weak while Schultz's lawyer, Tom Farrell, said the men did what they were supposed to do by informing their superiors of the accusations.Why did they not report the complaints?
How about Paterno? The NYTimes reports the fate of the famous coach:
The Board of Trustees has yet to determine the precise timing of Mr. Paterno’s exit, but it is clear that the man who has more victories than any other coach at college football’s top level and who made Penn State a prestigious national brand will not coach another season. Discussions about how to manage his departure have begun, according to the two people. The board is scheduled to meet on Friday, and Gov. Tom Corbett will attend.What's the problem with Paterno? He told his boss about the complaints -as he should have. But there is this perception:
Mr. Paterno has been widely criticized for failing to involve the police when he learned of the 2002 incident involving the young boy. Additionally, two top university officials — Gary Schultz, the senior vice president for finance and business, and Tim Curley, the athletic director — were charged with perjury and failure to report to the authorities what they knew of the allegations, as required by state law.In other words, though Paterno has not been charged in the matter, it is his failure to report to the authorities what he knew about the 2002 incident has become a flashpoint, stirring anger on the board and an outpouring of public criticism about his handling of the matter.
Who is responsible in this affair? The management? Sandusky? Are Schultz and Curley responsible of wrongdoing? Should Paterno be terminated? If so, why? Go ahead!
I'm closing this post next Tuesday, November 15, at 11pm.
I feel that Jerry Sandusky, should definitely take responsibility for the acts of sexual abuse that happen to the boys through court. As far reporting to the authorities, Tim Curley should take responsibility for that. He is the athletic director a higher official than Joe Pa. Joe Pa did his job, legally as well, when he reported the allegations to his boss. I don't think Joe Pa should be terminated as Penn states head football coach, because he did his job, he reported it to his boss.
ReplyDeleteThe graduate assistant who blow the whistle on Sandunsky did a great moral did deed. If it wasn't for the assistant the issue would probably not have yet gained the attention that it needed.
ReplyDeleteBy now, I'm sure everyone is aware that Paterno was fired today. Here's the thing. It all comes down to morality and realizing what the real issue is at hand. This isn't about Joe Paterno, even though everyone is making it about him. This is about 8 kids that got sexually abused. By letting Paterno finish up the season, the school is essentially telling the parents of the victims, that Paterno's dignity as a head coach, is more important than their children getting sexually abused. No school wants that under their wing. This is especially true since two school officials were involved.
ReplyDeleteEveryone in this case is guilty of wrongdoing. Schultz and Curley more so than anyone else because of their failure to act upon hearing about Sandusky's gross affairs from Paterno. Even though Paterno did the right thing by alerting the school president, as stated in the post, he didn't do enough. He made a dire judgement call that has forever tarnished his image at Penn State.
As Kirk Herbstreit said on ESPN tonight regarding the situation, "This is bigger than Joe Paterno ... this isn't the time to celebrate his career."
Joe Paterno should have not been terminated. According to rules and regulations of moral business, Joe's job and duty was to report the crime committed by Jerry Sandusky to his bosses, Tim Curley and Jerry Schult. With that being said, Joe did his part as an employee and it was up to the bosses to take further action. I strongly believe that the management is responsible of wrongdoing. Paterno could have CHOSEN to report Sandusky to authorities but he MUST HAVE reported it to his athletic director, Tim Curley. Paterno did not commit the crime and he morally, legally, and professionally did the right thing. Where did he go wrong?
ReplyDeleteGuys, I want you to try to do some critical thinking. If you think someone is or not responsible say why. Try to think of ethical theories to support your views.
ReplyDeleteIn My opinion, if the two high-ranking university officials (Gary Schultz and Timothy Curley) did their job properly, Jerry Sandusky could be in jail long time ago. They both failed to do what they supposed to do. They should report that to the law officer. They should do it not only because it was their duty to do it, but they should do it as a human being or as a father. Also, assistant coach Mike McQueary, the one who witnessed Sandusky acted sexually with the boy should be a whistle blower. I mean he should complete the job by also reporting that to the law enforcement authority. Imagine yourself, seeing a 58 year old sexually violating a 10 year old boy, what would you do in that case? I would definitely call police. I also understand that people don’t want to be pulled into conflicts with others. Also, people want to stay away from complex situation in the future by avoiding going to court. I guess this is one the reasons none of those people did not report Jerry Sandusky’ case to the attention of the authority.
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ReplyDelete@Jessica Vireus
ReplyDeleteYou are completely and utterly wrong. This was just not any crime. This was eight children (possibly more) getting raped by a man sixty years their senior. You don't leave rape 'up to the bosses'. Paterno should of alerted the authorities immediately after learning that the university turned a blind eye and didn't take care of the situation. The most disgusting part of this scandal is that it wasn't only one, but four grown men that failed to act in bringing this crime to justice. I have no sympathy for Joe Paterno or any of the university officials and neither should you.
@ kai sacco
ReplyDeleteI am stating my OPINION and so are you so neither of us are WRONG.
@Kai I don't think this calls for infallible statements. Penn State took a utilitarian initiative in firing Joe Pa and other people, that I feel should not have been fired. Unfortunately, Tim Curley took an odd and selfish, ethical egoist approach, in not bringing the issue to the police, which led t the fall of the Penn state football empire. As a result, the allegedly assaulted, children will be emotionally and psychologically scarred for the rest of they're lives.
ReplyDelete@Jessica Vireus
ReplyDeleteI respect your opinion, but this is a highly debatable subject matter so feel free to defend yourself (no sarcasm intended).
However, I don't believe a case such as this has room for opinion. Only fact.
Jerry Sandusky is responsible for the bad decisions he has done w those eight boys and curley is also responsible for not letting the police know first.Curley and Shultz are somewhat responsible for the wrong doing because they reported it to the wrong group of people. Joe Paterno should defiantly get terimenated due to the fact that he sexually abused eight boys and that's against school regulations and breaking the law. not only those boys are and will be damaged. he should go to prison.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Jerry Sandusky is responsible in this affair because he was the one who sexually assaulting eight boys over a 15-year period, but he also assaulted a boy in the shower at the Nittany Lions' practice center in 2002. therefore, Sandusky should be punished for his wrong doing. According to the management, I believe that they should have reported the 2001 incident to the police a long time ago and shouldn't have waiting until now to bring it up.I is a good thing that they brought it up, but it should have been sooner.For that reason I agree with them being charged with lying to a state grand jury investigating the former defensive coordinator.Furthermore, I don't think Paterno should be terminated.
ReplyDelete@kai sacco there is a big difference between being wrong and you disagreeing with me. I strongly believe that you are taking a utilitarian's approach. Based on what we are learning in class, an employee should take every serious issue to their supervisor/boss. I feel that Jo Pa did his part. The question that our professor is asking is who was wrong, and we all obviously know that Sadunsky is wrong, but were the right people terminated? The decision was up to Tim Curley and he decided to do nothing, immediately.
ReplyDeleteWas Joe Paterno's firing effective immediately justified? Even though he alerted his supervisor? ABSOLUTELY! At first sight of such a heinous crime Paterno SHOULDN'T have stopped at his supervisor! He should have IMMEDIATELY reported it to the police. If he saw that ONE boy that ONE time,why didn't it occur to him that there most possible was MORE before this incident? OR that by him doing a mediocre report to someone,who obviously did NOTHING, could have prevent ALL of the possible cases since 2002. How many more victims are out there who were sodomized and are too embarrassed to come forth for whatever reason? How can someone turn the other cheek and not feel any repulsion towards Sandunsky. I completely support the colleges decision in regards to Paterno. There is just no excuse. Fine,you reported it to your supervisor BUT if you see no action is being taken then DAMN take matters into your own hands! OR better yet cut out the middle man and go to authorities YOURSELF! Don't wait another day because in one day,hell in one minute, a life can be destroyed because of one mans twisted sickness.
ReplyDeleteYesenia Luis
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how this situation went on for this long. Sandusky, the man accused of molesting young boys, should be in jail already. Actually, everyone that knew about this and did not take action should be punished. The man that warned his superior should be exempted. I don't agree with his dismisal. He did the right thing by telling his superior. This man must have been in an uncomfortable situation because Sandusky had a great reputation among the students and the university's staff. But he still alerted others about Sandusky's wrongdoings. As for me, I believe that the supervisor that was warned about this issue should be held as responsible as Sandusky. He did not even bother to stop the situation in which young students were being raped.
And do NOT get me started on the two officials who witnessed Sandunsky and condoned it! Atleast Paterno reported it,useless, but he made an attempt. These two officials CONDONED this behavior!! These two officials who are highly ranked just have no heart! Absolutely disgusted by the reaction and behavior of these two individuals.
ReplyDeleteIs there one specific person to blame in this scandalous case? Not at all. Mostly everyone should be held responsible for what went on over a period of 15 years. The media is trying to make this about Joe Paterno and in a sense it is but what the media and public is upset about regarding Joe Pa is him being fired as a football coach. Everyone is forgetting the main picture here which is Jerry Sandusky harrassing little boys.
ReplyDeleteSandusky used his ultimate power in the university in many ways, he was very tursted by everyone and had access to almost any athletic facility at anytime with anybody. Once he was caught by the graduate assistant and it was reported to people with higher authorities, he should have immediately been terminated or suspended from using any of the Penn State facilities after hours. Did the assistant do the right thing? To some extent, yes. Did Joe Paterno do the right thing? To some extent, yes. After that, everyone else is completely at fault.
Shultz and Curley both lied when asked by the grand jury of Sandusky's wrongdoing at the Penn State showers with one victim. Shultz, Curley and Sandusky are completely at fault. Any outside party may think that Shultz and Curley could be Sandusky's since they lied after being noticed of what happened. Who is allowing all of this though? Where are the children's parents? Isn't it a little suspicious that an older man is taking your young boys to his house and having them sleep over all the time?
There was one victim's mother who reported Sandusky to the University Police after picking up her son and finding out that he showered with Sandusky. The University Police went on to investigate more on the case and even eavesdropped on a conversation with the mother of this victim and Sandusky, where Sandusky admitted to showering with her son and "maybe" having his genitals touch her son's buttocks. The University Police went on to dismiss this case and closing investigation.
Another witness, a janitor, was traumatized in seeing Sandusky perform oral sex on another victim. He reported this to his coworker cleaning the showers that night. Yet, between all employees they decided that since they were relatively new workers, if reporting this they might lose their jobs. Despite this fear, the janitor who witnessed Sandusky performing oral sex on a child, reported this to his immediate supervisor. Did he take further action? Not at all.
These "little" boys were of ages 7-13 when all of these incidents occurred. They were also in some way responsible of reporting what was happening with Sandusky but instead, they liked being taken to big fancy charity events and great football games by Sandusky himself. Yes, he was basically bribing them but this isn’t right of the children to receive this great treatment if they didn’t like the consequences they would receive. By ages 7-13, they’re perfectly able to tell their parents what is going on.
Everyone is wrong in this case and in my opinion, I don’t think it can get more disgusting. The last thing people should be making such a big deal about is Joe Paterno. He didn’t lie to anyone, he reported it, should he have done more? Sure but so could have everyone else. He isn’t the only wrong one here, if completely wrong at all. He was ready to give up his position at the end of the season decently without making a scandal. So in my opinion, he shouldn't have been terminated for another nasty civilian's actions.
ABSOLUTELY !!!! Sandusky, should definitely take responsibility for his action, for the sexual abuse that happen to the boys ,in a federal court. how can someone be free after such malicious act ???? He should definitely have to be punished for all his wrong doing with no sorrow or mercy. 8 boys ? sick !
ReplyDeleteTim Curley has to take responsibility, Schultz and Curley more than anyone, because of their failure to act upon hearing about Sandusky's affairs from Paterno and Even though Paterno did the right thing by alerting the school it wasnt enough.
Many people are responsible for this scandal at Penn State. I believe that the main one to blame is Jerry Sandusky, since he is obviously the man who sexually assaulted the eight boys over a fifteen year period. I also have strong beliefs that Tim Curley and Gary Schultz are also at fault for not going to the police when first receiving this vital information. Then again, a finger can also be pointed at Joe Paterno for not having gone to the police once he had realized that his supervisors have failed to do so. The incident in 2002 in the shower at the Nittany Lions' practice center should have been reported to the authorities immediately by the graduate assistant who had witnessed it. I believe that the entire batch should be terminated and a new crew should be found because they clearly cannot abide to the moral business rules and regulations by informing authorities of criminal offences such as these. I’m sure many parents are having doubts about there student’s safeties in the athletic department of Penn State.
ReplyDeleteChild molestation is severely frowned upon. If this were any other case we all know they would immediately all go to jail for being for molestation and the rest for being somewhat of accessory. Sandusky, doesn't matter how big he is as a coach, needs to end up in jail for what he has done to the all of the boys. It is his responsibility to come out and speak up about what he has done and apologize to the boys and their parents for having betrayed their trust. No job, especially a head coach for a well-known football team is more important than the safety of children.
ReplyDeleteSure, they all felt it was right to have reported it to the university but it was their moral job to make sure it went through all the way and make sure that the university wasn't trying to cover up their own reputation or trying to cover up Sandusky. Parents send out their children to top schools hoping that their children will be safe and how are you now supposed to trust a school who is able to cover this up? What else have they been covering up?
It was Paterno's job to make sure the police, faculty, students, and parents found out about the molestations for the sake of people knowing where they are studying, where they are sending their children, and who are their colleagues. Joe Paterno a legend may now go down in history, not for his football career but for not having the guts and moral responsibility for speaking out for the actions of Sandusky.
Not just Paterno, but all of them such as Schultz and Curley needed to speak out against Sandusky and needed to make sure that this got out to the public, especially the one who saw it being committed, because there is more than the schools reputation and a football championship at stake here. They shouldn't be selfish and try to protect themselves and the school because there are innocent children who were hurt by Sandusky's consistent acts.
I believe that Sandusky should definitely be charged for the acts that he committed. He should consider himself lucky due to the fact that it has been a time span of 15 years which is incredible and shameful. He should be the one mostly at fault but not everyone is off the hook. As for Paterno, Schultz, and Curley they all the responsibility of speaking up to the public about the accusations that were occurring and they kept shut. Imagine all the innocent people attending Penn State and their parents, they can't even feel safe with an institute or the staff in it where their children are attending than what is the point? Obviously someone had a responsibility to do something about this issue at an earlier time before things got out of hand and they didn't so now the consequences must be faced.
ReplyDeleteRaquel m
ReplyDeleteI think that the guy Jerry should be held responsible for his wrong doings of sexually assaulting the students. I also think that Joe is responsible. I think that Joe could have done more to report the crime. I think paterno and everyone involved should be fired. I think a lot more is going to come out. And that he should have reported it sooner than later and things could have been different but he did not so they have to deal with it. I think it is sad Paterno and the entire PSU staff continuously boasted their program was the icon for integrity, honesty, and doing the right thing. Yet when it came to standing up, they took the coward’s way out. I think that if the system worked, it wouldn't have taken them years and years to bring about charges. Maybe many of those boys would not have been molested to begin with.
To answer the question Sandusky should take responsibility for this issue no doubt. Without Sandusky there would not have been any scandal in the first place. Now is that to say that the management, Schultz, and Curley did the right thing? The answer is no, they did not do their job not only as employees of Penn State, but as moral individuals.
ReplyDeleteHonestly terminating Paterno was an understatement. I am completely for his termination but I also feel that there should have been more punishment. I’ll tell you why. If Paterno would have blown the whistle or gone to the police after the first incident, 7 children would have been prevented from sexual abuse. That is not to say that there might be others involved that have yet to come fourth. This is really a disgusting situation and it is awful even listening about it, but it happen and there must be action taken that can possibly prevent it from ever happening again. May this be a lesson to everybody to be moral individuals and to do what is right and not wait until the situation gets worse.
I"m sure everyone can agree that Sandusky is to blame for all of this. He is the one who started all of this. you have to be a very sick individual to do such a thing. As for Schultz and Curley they did not do the right thing, when you are aware of something this severe you must alert the authorities. That being said I see nothing wrong with Joe Paterno getting terminated. i understand he was not the one doing anything to these children be he could have prevented a lot of it if he would've taken stronger action. Paterno knew exactly what was going on, as soon as he found out he should've told his supervisor and also taken it to the police. what really makes me angry at Paterno is that he could have prevented a lot of children from being sexually abused but he just let it keep happening.
ReplyDeleteMarcus Sussman
ReplyDeleteThere is not one person that can take the majority of the blame. Yes, Mike McQueary (the graduate assistant) should have done more than inform Joe Paerno of what he saw. Yes, Joe Paterno should have done more than just inform his athletic director. And yes, the athletic irector should have done more than just inform the schools president. However, all of these men fulfilled their legal obligation. Sure, had the assistant coach gone straight to the police, this entire situation would have been taken care of back in 1999, when e witnessed Sandusky in the shower with a young man.
What makes this story more fascinating is that it was revealed that Sandusky lives right behind an Elementary school. Aside from that, this man, who faces 40 counts of sexual abuse, is walking around on bail. If convicted, I think it's safe to say he will never walk a free man, and that he will not last long in prison.
And for those of you who think the worst has happened, trust me, the worst has yet to come.
A lot of people blame Joe Paterno and yes he deserves some of the blame, but he was not the first person to ever spot Sandusky doing all this horrible things to young kids. Paterno told his supervisor about what he saw and yes if Paterno's supervisor did not do anything Joe should have gone to the police. Many kids were hurt over this and their whole lives are now troubled mentally and physically. Sandusky is the main person to blame and so is Paterno's supervisor he was notified and as a supervisor he should have notified the police immediately. There should be stricter guidelines on the reporting of acts such as this and there should be a consequence for not reporting to the police. In my opinion Schultz should be sentenced along with Sandusky as a accomplice for every assault after 2002.
ReplyDeleteEveryone who knew about the coach's actions and waited till now is to blame. Even if Paterno gave the complaint to his superior he still is at fault. If Paterno didn't notice any actions were after the complaint, he should've went to the police. There's no need to argue if Sandusky is wrong, his actions are morally wrong on any standpoint. Those who admitted to the things they saw years ago are wrong.
ReplyDeleteThese people should be punished and there is justification for their termination. I speak for the those who no matter what these men face because of their poor decisions, will be forever be impacted
Who is responsible? Sandusky. Im pretty sure that when he signed the contract with Penn State, there had to be a disclosure agreement on sexual harrassment. Shultz and curley have nothing to do in this affair, since they were not in the showers with those boys. But.... That justice, man can be rough sometimes.. At the moment were Penn State was having its most glorious days, we can understand why these kind of comments were overheard..
ReplyDeleteaccused of wrongdoing... Soso.... Since no wrong action from them was done.. Accused of false statement in court, yes... Paterno... dont you think he has had enough? His team brought to the ground publicly through his "best" friends action... Common, live the man alone.. Pretty surprised he has not shot himself, yet.... Makki
I think the Penn state case is an example of individuals not wanting to blow the whistle, I don’t think anyone surrounded in this case wanted this to become public because they care more about themselves and how they might lose their jobs for knowing what was going on and not involving police. What Mr. Paterno did was half right because yes he did inform he’s boss but when he notice that is boss didn’t take any steps to correct the situation he’s duty as a person was to notify the police. Knowing that he told his boss what was going on and nothing was done is morally wrong to just stand by and see what happens instead of taking action. It’s just as bad to be involved in a crime and be a witness of a crime without doing anything about it.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is guilty in this case, just some more than others. Primarily in Sandusky’s case, Child molestation is heinous and strictly inhumane. He is therefore guilty in that manner. Paterno made the right choice of reporting his suspicions to Schultz and Curley who were of higher authority, but once he realized that no action was being taken he should of bought it to the attention of the police. There may be many reasons why he didn’t bring it to the attention of the police, but had he done so, Sandusky would have been brought to justice sooner. Who’s to say what other heinous crimes Sandusky has committed through the years. Schultz and Curley are completely guilty because by them not reporting to the officials shows that they might have been covering for Sandusky. How can someone not report something as serious as sexual abuse, especially dealing with children? Paterno should be terminated because when his boss did nothing about the issue, he should have brought it out to the public. He should reassess his moral values.
ReplyDeleteJessica Jean-Baptiste
Kimberly Ponce said...
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion Joe Pa didn't deserve to go out the way that he did. Yes I understand that he should have took more actions if his bosses didn't address the situation from the start. If he did tell both of his bosses(Gary Schultz and Timothy Curley) then they should had addressed the situation IMMEDIATELY! But unfortunately it didn't. There is no reason why it should have taken 9 years for the whole story to blow up and be taken care of how it is now. Jerry Sandusky is definitely guilty of the crimes that he committed. He not only scarred the children physically, but also mentally. He faces a long time in prison ahead of him if found guilty of his crimes. And everybody else that kept their mouth shut during the whole episode of the scandal will get their fair share of justice.
I personally think they're all wrong and responsible in this affair. Once you’re aware of a wrong act, you become involve. Even though Paterno was the only one who did do what I believe anyone would and should do with a moral conscious, it just wasn’t enough. Yes, he reported the incident to his superior - but if he saw that nothing was being done then that's when he had to step up and report the incident himself to the police. But I don't think the blame should fall completely on Joe Paterno. The biggest issue is how this went on for so long. Why if Schultz and Curely knew about the incident going on they didn’t make an effort to investigate or question Jerry Sandusky? Why the graduate assistant didn’t report immediately what he had seen to anyone else? They let 8 (if not more) boys get sexually abused for a period of 15 years and they just acted as if nothing was going on. My guess it was to avoid the big scandal it would have brought to their school and along the way the loss of their most prestige coach. I strongly believe each and every one of these men are responsible and should punished. They took advantage of those boys, and their authority.
ReplyDeleteKarla Huari
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that sexually abusing children is a heinous act that should never be condoned in any circumstance. What Sandusky has done is horrendous, not only because he has committed an unforgivable crime in our society, but also because he abused his position in order to satisfy his perverse needs. As the founder of The Second Mile, a charity to help at-risk kids, he was a pillar in the community and many looked up to him. Someone in this position has major influence on young boys, especially the ones benefiting from this organization who are less privileged. It is obvious that Sandusky, who is the main perpetrator, is responsible for this. Schultz and Curley aren't necessarily responsible for Sandusky's acts, however, by failing to adequately report the incidents of abuse, they enabled Sandusky to continue with his sordid actions, and should therefore be punished. Paterno should not come out of this unscathed either. A matter this big should not just be about reporting an employee's wrongdoing to the boss, but having the police involved. No one made any attempt to contact the authorities in a case that clearly goes beyond job responsibilities. There was a moral issue at hand and Schultz, Curley, and Paterno all failed to address it.
There really isn’t much to say about the Penn State scandal. It is an unfortunate situation in which every person involved is guilty of something horrible, yet none are being persecuted. A pedophile getting away with sexual harassment is something that should never happen, but it did when Tim Curley and Gary Schultz failed to report witnessing Jerry Sandusky rape a ten year old boy. Jerry Sandusky is guilty of rape and molestation and should be seriously punished; and Tim Curley, Gary Schultz and Paterno are also guilty for not reporting it. If they had, fewer boys would have been harassed. The scandal is a disgusting example of human lack of morals. Every person involved is guilty in this situation and should be persecuted. On a CBS interview on Tuesday, Sandusky continued to deny ever sexually harassing any boys or being a pedophile. He also denied being attracted to little boys. Something is wrong with the penal system when a pedophile rapist and guilty witnesses can get away with what they've done; and something is seriously wrong with human ethics when these monsters can live life feeling no guilt of this. What kind of person would rape and molest many young boys and feel no guilt? And a person who witnesses forced sodomy on a child and doesn't report it to any sort of authority. I don’t think Sandusky will apologize for what he did. Although it would be nice, It would really be better that people like Sandusky, Curley, Schultz and Paterno are fairly punished.
ReplyDelete