‘Top-Secret’ Spanier, Paterno And Priorities

Former school president Graham Spanier, the real administrative villain concerning what happend to the once-respected institution; the man who covered up for molester Jerry Sandusky because it was the “humane” thing to do; the man who reportedly covered up other child molestation scandals at the school; has a top-secret clearance with the federal government and is bragging about it.

Call one crazy, but one thinks it far more important to get a guy who thinks it humane to cover up child molestation out of places where he would need a top secret clearance than it is to remove a statue.

For your convenience, here is the press release from Spanier’s lawyers:

July 16, 2012

TWO INVESTIGATIONS:　 A NEWS RELEASE FROM ATTORNEYS FOR DR. GRAHAM SPANIER

The Freeh report ignored many important facts, including the conclusions of a far more independent and thorough investigation of Dr. Graham Spanier conducted simultaneously by federal officials responsible for our national security.

Dr. Spanier has for some time held a top secret security clearance in connection with his work with the federal government. This clearance required a re-review when the Sandusky matter surfaced in November. Federal investigators then conducted a four-month investigation of their own in which they interviewed many of the same individuals the Freeh Group interviewed and other relevant individuals Freeh did not interview.　 At the conclusion of the investigation the government reaffirmed Dr. Spanier’s clearance.

Although Dr. Spanier told Mr. Freeh directly about the federal security investigation and its result, there is no mention of it anywhere in the Freeh report.

The Freeh report is not an independent judicial evaluation. Mr. Freeh, no longer a judge, runs a company that was retained by the Board of Trustees of the University. His report contained numerous inaccuracies and reached conclusions that are not supported by the data.　　 Meanwhile, Mr. Freeh unfairly offered up Dr. Spanier and others to those insisting upon a finding of culpability at the highest level of the University. Mr. Freeh’s conclusions are not judicial or law enforcement pronouncements.

Dr. Spanier looks forward to the opportunity in the future to set the record straight and as we have previously said, all of our thoughts and prayers remain with the young people who are at the center of this terrible ordeal.

Attorneys for Dr. Graham Spanier

ELIZABETH K. AINSLIE

SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS LLP

PETER F. VAIRA

VAIRA & RILEY PC