The assistant reported the matter to Paterno, who told officials that Sandusky was "fondling or doing something of a sexual nature."
In possibly the worst version of Whisper Down the Lane ever, athletic director Tim Curley subsequently deemed the episode "horsing around."
Rape, horsing around. Why not characterize the episode as tickling?
Calls were made, an internal report filed, but outside authorities were never called.
This wasn't the first time.
In 1998, Sandusky's illicit behavior was observed and investigated by Penn State officials, actions Sandusky actually acknowledged.
That was 13 years and who knows how many young boys ago.
As with the Catholic Church's priest scandals, Sandusky's alleged hideous actions and the inexcusable inaction on the part of Penn State's administration occurred in an all-male, cloistered, and hierarchical community where the authority of top officials is never questioned and the reputation of a moneyed institution, venerated by the faithful, takes precedence over morality and the law.
According to Scott Paterno, his father never spoke about the allegations to Sandusky, an assistant for 32 years.
Seven of the eight juvenile victims reported that Sandusky engaged in criminal sexual behavior on campus property.
What happened at Penn State stayed at Penn State, all secrets sacred in the temple of football.
The rationalization appears to be that Sandusky had retired from coaching - even though he continued to "mentor" foster children from "absent or dysfunctional families" while enjoying full access to Penn State's facilities.
Loyalty was to the football program, not the well-being of young children.
