Disturbing Penn State Emails: Joe Pa Played Major Role In Alleged Sandusky Cover-Up

New questions are coming up in the Penn State sex scandal, stemming from a series of emails between the University’s former president, vice president and athletic director, discussing what to do about an alleged encounter between Jerry Sandusky and a young boy in the shower.

Though Jerry Sandusky is behind bars, emails passed along to CNN could raise new problems for Penn State and University officials involved in covering-up Sandusky’s illicit behaviors. Messages from February 26-28, 2001 between former Penn State president Graham Spanier, then vice president Gary Schultz and former athletic director Tim Curley, suggest that all three knew about Sandusky’s abuses and were complicit in covering it up.

In the emails, Schultz suggests handling the situation in a “humane” way, saying, “This is a more humane and upfront way to handle this.” By “humane,” Schultz means not contacting the authorities. Spanier then responded, “The only downside for us is if the message (to Sandusky) isn’t ‘heard’ and acted upon, and we then become vulnerable for not having reported it.”

The emails never refer to Sandusky by name, only referring to him as “the subject” or “the person.” As for Sandusky’s victims, the children that the former defensive coordinator brought on to campus, they are referred to as “guests” in the messages.

The first email, sent 16 days after Mike McQueary reported being “very upset” from seeing Sandusky “doing something with a youngster,” of a “sexual nature,” was from Schultz to athletic director Curley explaining the plan to “talk with the subject [Sandusky]… contact the charitable organization [Second Mile]… and contacting the Department of Welfare.”

But something changed after a conversation between Paterno and Curley, painting Paterno as a key player in the alleged cover-up.

“After giving it more thought and talking it over with Joe [Paterno] yesterday, I am uncomfortable with what we agreed were the next steps. I am having trouble with going to everyone, but the person involved. I would be more comfortable meeting with the person.. tell him the information we received… and tell him we are aware of the first situation,” said the message, according to the Atlantic Wire.

The conspirators then details a plan to confront Sandusky personally, dealing with the problem “in house.” Only if Sandusky refuses the solution would they pursue their original course of action.

Schultz and Curley are currently being charged with perjury and for failing to report suspected child abuse. They have pleaded not guilty. The new emails could lead to further charges, reports USA Today.