Pa. Gov. Tom Corbett to sue NCAA over Penn State sanctions

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett listens during a meeting of the Penn State University Board of Trustees in State College, Pa., Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. / AP Photo

HARRISBURG, Pa. Gov. Tom Corbett said Tuesday he plans to sue the NCAA in federal court over stiff sanctions imposed against Penn State University in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal.

The Republican governor scheduled a Wednesday news conference on the Penn State campus in State College to announce the filing in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg.

The sanctions, which were agreed to by the university in July, included a $60 million fine that would be used nationally to finance child abuse prevention grants. The sanctions also included a four-year bowl game ban for the university's marquee football program, reduced football scholarships and the forfeiture of 112 wins.

The governor's office announced the news conference late Tuesday afternoon. His spokesman did not respond to repeated calls and emails seeking to confirm a Sports Illustrated story that cited anonymous sources saying a lawsuit was imminent.

• Ex-Penn State President Spanier arraigned
• Former Penn St. Graham Spanier charged in Sandusky abuse case
• Jerry Sandusky moved to prison housing death row inmates, placed in protective custody

Corbett's brief statement did not indicate whether his office coordinated its legal strategy with state Attorney General-elect Kathleen Kane, who is scheduled to be sworn in Jan. 15.

Kane, a Democrat, ran on a vow to investigate why it took state prosecutors nearly three years to charge Sandusky, an assistant under former football coach Joe Paterno. Corbett was the attorney general when that office took over the case in early 2009 and until he became governor in January 2011.

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Who's who in the Penn State child sex abuse scandal

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Pa. Atty Gen: Penn State officials showed "callous lack of concern"

State and congressional lawmakers from Pennsylvania have objected to using the Penn State fine to finance activities in other states. Penn State has already made the first $12 million payment, and an NCAA task force is deciding how it should be spent.

The NCAA, which did not respond to calls seeking comment Tuesday, has said at least a quarter of the money would be spent in Pennsylvania.

Republican U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent called that an "unacceptable and unsatisfactory" response by the NCAA to a request from the state's U.S. House delegation that the whole $60 million be distributed to causes within the state.

Last week, state Sen. Jake Corman, a Republican whose district includes Penn State's main campus, said he plans to seek court action barring any of the first $12 million from being released to groups outside the state.

The fine was just part of college sports' governing body's sanctions on Penn State for its handling of the abuse scandal involving Sandusky, who was convicted in June on charges he sexually abused 10 boys, some on campus. The landmark sanctions, though, didn't include a suspension of the university's football program, the so-called death penalty.

Sandusky, 68, was convicted on 45 counts. He's serving a 30- to 60-year state prison term.

Eight young men testified against him, describing a range of abuse they said went from grooming and manipulation to fondling, oral sex and anal rape when they were boys.

Sandusky did not testify at his trial but has maintained his innocence, acknowledging he showered with boys but insisting he never molested them.

[Jonseen]

I think it's good that somebody is letting the NCAA know they want the money distributed responsibly. The fine is so huge, I have to wonder about such a large amount - and it needs to be accounted for. I also wonder what the NCAA gets out of it; what percentage actually goes to charities.

[michaelamsterdam]

Corbett was complicit in enabling Sandusky to continue committing his perverse crimes years after the complaints against him were made known while he (Corbett) was Attorney General of Pa.

But then...a politician in Pennsylvania doesn't prosper by prosecuting, investigating or even questioning ANYTHING connected to the Penn State football program...

No matter how many young boys were abused and had their childhoods stolen...the state and university officials maintained focus on the LARGER PICTURE (TV revenue...bowl games...alumni contributions, etc)

This Corbett thingee has amply demonstrated that he is not fit to hold ANY public office...and should now be thoroughly examined to determine his true roll in this craven cover-up...and if he is truly fit to occupy the cell next to Sandusky for a decade or two

VOTE AYE!

[kilroy666]

Calling this governor a moron is an insult to all morons everywhere! The governor has no standing to file any law suit. He is not a party to the action. Just because he's governor gives him no special standing. The NCAA has an appeal process but Penn State chose not to exercise its appeal rights. This idiot has no more standing than any other moron off the street.

[gbgentleman]

Since a public university was fined a heck of a lot of money, money that will have to be made up probably from public funds, he could justify the state has been affected.

[jnostromo]

Corbett is a buffoon...He is nothing more than a penn state lackey

[KrissyTina9]

Corbett cares nothing for PA citizens needs. He has spent his entire time in office either pushing the agenda of the GOTP or using the PA Governor's office to service the needs of his cronies. I resent the fact that Corbett continues to waste government resources on pedophile enablers, voter suppression, and transvaginal legislation. It's a conflict of interest that Corbett and most of his staff still sit on Penn State's board. This is just more dereliction of duty from Corbett.

[cattiej]

SOLARAY...you provided an excellent post...The feds need to invetgate Corbett..anyone with information that would impeach this guy, arrest him and have him thrown in prison with Sandusky needs to come forward...we, the people want to know all the players in this sordid mess.

[anonymous010]

This is just sad. Corbett screws up when he was Attorney General and now he's trying to paint the NCAA as the bad guys? Can PA recall their governor? I certainly hope so. This guy is pure slime.

On top of that, this is a matter between PSU and the NCAA, and PSU has already agreed to the sanctions. Nobody else should be able to do anything about it - least of all a crooked governor.

[larkin1974]

Penn Govenor must be in favor of Child Rape!

[joannow]

That's a big leap. No one is in favor of child rape! What a stupid thing to say. He does believe his state should profit from this settlement with that money used to fund programs for children in Penna. ONLY which is completely ridiculous. The agreement was between NCAA and Penn State Univ. Not the State of Penna. Just shows how greedy these creep are. Who is Jake Corman? Just another greedy jerk who sees some money and wants to figure out a way to keep it. This is a non-story. It's settled. The Governor needs to govern and lead his state. He doesn't need to be trying to interfere in what is already settled.

[lasvegasteacher]

The honorable Corbitt stands indignant that Penn State money be used to fund child abuse organizations outside his state. This just sounds like he is angry about the justice Penn State's victims received. Is this how most citizens feel or how the wealthy football lovers see it?

[ralphing]

He's upset that outsiders are questioning the States common practice of horsing around with young boys. People all know this goes on all the time, which is why no one did anything to stop the activity. That's why there is an euphemism of child sexual abuse called "Horsing around". They all know what it means when someone refers to abuse by using that term.

[CBSName]

Seems like Corbett is more concerned about the money than the children who were victimized.