The Second Mile Foundation had to know

[Aerows]

It was supposedly reported to them in 2002, and Sandusky was arrested in 1998, even though he didn't get convicted. They share an attorney with Penn State for heaven's sake.

My question is WHY did they continue to let Sandusky associate with these children? I'm honestly starting to believe the rumor that they pimped these poor children out to rich donors. There has to be somebody making money to keep their mouth shut and turn a blind eye to such horrific crimes, or they were a part of the abuse, too.

How could they continue to let him prey on the kid's knowing his history?

[wryter2000]

1. They need to find out who the donors are

They committed horrible crimes.

[Aerows]

2. And investigate the people at the Foundation!

How could they let a guy known to shower with little boys and accused of molesting a child in the shower continue to have boys over for sleepovers and trips where he was their only supervision? The kids stayed in the room with him at various resorts.

You can't tell me that none of the people on the trips didn't notice that, and you can't tell me that no one at the foundation knew, either. I know I'd be suspicious as HELL of a grown man that takes showers with little boys and invites them to sleepovers after he's already been arrested for showering with them.

[pnwmom]

28. They were told in 2002 that the matter had been investigated

and no wrongdoing had been found. Obviously, they were wrong to trust Penn State on this, but I think that's what happened.


From their website (www.thesecondmile.org):

As The Second Mile’s CEO Jack Raykovitz testified to the Grand Jury, he was informed in 2002 by Pennsylvania State University Athletic Director Tim Curley that an individual had reported to Mr. Curley that he was uncomfortable about seeing Jerry Sandusky in the locker room shower with a youth. Mr. Curley also shared that the information had been internally reviewed and that there was no finding of wrongdoing. At no time was The Second Mile made aware of the very serious allegations contained in the Grand Jury report.

[Aerows]

31. He and his wife get salaries of over $100,000 a year each

In its annual IRS filings, The Second Mile says its mission is to "provide opportunities for young people" and "support parents and professionals addressing the needs of youth." In the 2010 tax year, the 501(c)(3) reported $9.45 million in total assets, according to tax returns filed this January.

"The charity, in 2010, reported having seven full-time employees. Two of them took home in excess of $100,000 from the organization: Mr. Raykovitz, who is the CEO and president, and his wife, executive vice president Katherine Genovese."

You never know what someone's price tag is to turn a blind eye, and they are husband and wife running the show.

[pnwmom]

35. Yes, they are in charge. But if Curly lied to them, how would they

know the truth about the 2002 matter? And if their attorney was bound by the attorney/client privilege he had with Penn State, then how would the Second Mile know about the 1998 investigation?

[Aerows]

38. Paterno was listed as on the Board of Directors

How on earth did they NOT know? Sorry, I don't buy for a minute that they operated so far in a vacuum - when the organization is based right there in the same town - that they knew nothing at The Second Mile.

How could they NOT?

[pnwmom]

40. Why would you think that Paterno would have told them?

Paterno was part of the cover-up at Penn State. Why would he spread the secret around anywhere else?

But I just looked and didn't see him listed. Was he on the real board of directors or was he on the honorary board?

[Aerows]

43. Sandusky FOUNDED the place

How in the heck would they NOT know, though? He was involved in it, obviously considering how many victims have come from there - and that's just the ones that spoke up. He continued to work with the children until 2008, and didn't retire from there until 2010.

If they didn't know, they are guilty of gross incompetence at doing due diligence to confirm that the people working with the children are suitable people.

[pnwmom]

45. So? They didn't know he was an alleged rapist then. Since the University Police never followed up

and the D.A. dropped his investigation, he apparently would have passed any needed background check.

[Aerows]

46. This article states they knew

Found this: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11312/1188304-143.stm

"the organization knew as early as 1998 that Mr. Sandusky was under investigation for similar sexual misconduct in a Penn State shower involving a different boy from the program, according to a presentment by a statewide investigating grand jury."

I realize they probably did some good, but some VERY BAD also came out of their organization, and someone there is responsible for that bad, just like the rest of them.

[pnwmom]

49. That writer based his conclusion, I think, on the fact that Penn State

and TSM share an attorney. And, as I've said, that attorney wouldn't have been able to share the info with TSM without breaching confidentiality.

There's nothing I read in the Grand Jury Report that says TSM knew about the 1998 incident.

[Aerows]

71. That's an assumption

We don't know what his involvement was one way or the other.

[pnwmom]

83. Correct, we don't know. But a lot of people here are jumping to conclusions that we do. nt

[pnwmom]

39. You're not saying the donors committed horrible crimes, are you?

The donors must be sick at heart. They thought they were funding good things for kids, not torture.

Here's some info about then I found on their website:


http://www.thesecondmile.org/programsAndServices/commun...

http://www.thesecondmile.org/programsAndServices/commun...

Children's Fund Grants

The Children's Fund Grant program provides small grants to children and youth up to age 18 with needs that might otherwise "fall through the cracks." The Second Mile staff works directly with school counselors and other youth service professionals to identify children with immediate and specific needs for which other funding is not available.
Children's Fund grants assist with a variety of needs including, but not limited to:
▪ Musical instrument repair,
▪ Post-fire toy replacement,
▪ Prom accessories,
▪ A school yearbook,
▪ A baseball glove, or
▪ A portion of the costs for a field trip or extracurricular activity.

Grants are generally limited to $50 per child ($200 per family) in any given year to allow this resource to be made available to as many youngsters as possible.

The Second Mile Post-Secondary Scholarships
The Post-Secondary Scholarship program provides educational scholarships of $500 or $1,000 for Second Mile program "graduates" - those who have attended the Challenge Program, participated in Friend or Friend Fitness, or been a member of a team at The Leadership Institute. Scholarships are awarded to students on the basis of financial need, and monies granted may be used towards payment of tuition or towards other school-related expenses such as purchase of books. Applicants must verify that they are enrolled at a post-secondary institution and may reapply each year as long as they continue to be enrolled. Please see the Information for Students & Parents for more information and the Scholarship Application.

The Second Mile Community Service Awards

The Community Service Awards program recognizes high school seniors who have demonstrated exemplary levels of commitment to community service. Students living in select counties are eligible for this award. School counselors from high schools in these counties nominate top students who are then recognized for their outstanding achievements. Each nominated student receives a certificate and a savings bond. From these nominations, we choose winners, and these students receive a $1,000, $750, or $500 savings bond.

[Aerows]

42. I'm sure they are

The Foundation, however, certainly needs to be investigated, because I don't buy for a second that they didn't know about Sandusky's involvement, since he started the place. I also don't buy for a second that they had no idea about his charges, either, since he was a part of the organization. It's just ridiculous to think no one knew.

Somebody at TSM is culpable of turning a blind eye to this. No sane person would let a man accused of showering with little boys, then reported for anally raping another one continue to participate with the children - which they DID until 2008.

[pnwmom]

44. There is no evidence that I have seen that TSM knew anything beyond

what they say on their website -- that they were told by Penn State's Curley in 2002 someone had witnessed him showering with a boy, and that an investigation had been conducted and no wrongdoing had been found. They specifically say that they weren't informed of the "very serious allegations" until 2008.

From their website: "As The Second Mile’s CEO Jack Raykovitz testified to the Grand Jury, he was informed in 2002 by Pennsylvania State University Athletic Director Tim Curley that an individual had reported to Mr. Curley that he was uncomfortable about seeing Jerry Sandusky in the locker room shower with a youth. Mr. Curley also shared that the information had been internally reviewed and that there was no finding of wrongdoing. At no time was The Second Mile made aware of the very serious allegations contained in the Grand Jury report.

Subsequently, in November 2008, Mr. Sandusky informed The Second Mile that he had learned he was being investigated as a result of allegations made against him by an adolescent male in Clinton County, PA. Although he maintained there was no truth to the claims, we are an organization committed first and foremost to the safety and well-being of the children we serve. Consistent with that commitment and with The Second Mile policy, we immediately made the decision to separate him from all of our program activities involving children. Thus, from 2008 to present, Mr. Sandusky has had no involvement with Second Mile programs involving children.

The Second Mile was first contacted by the Attorney General’s office in early 2011. Since then, we have done everything in our power to cooperate with law-enforcement officials and will continue to do so."



So do you have evidence that shows they're lying?

[Aerows]

48. I'll link it again

Found this: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11312/1188304-143.stm

"the organization knew as early as 1998 that Mr. Sandusky was under investigation for similar sexual misconduct in a Penn State shower involving a different boy from the program, according to a presentment by a statewide investigating grand jury."

I'm less concerned by what they claimed happened than what DID happen directly to several children from their organization - and that's just the 9 that have come forward. The 9th one was reported by another child, but he's overseas serving in the military and can't be subpoenaed.

[pnwmom]

51. Of course this is a monumentally awful thing -- but that doesn't mean the TSM

people knew anything about it, other than that one attorney. This reporter drew his conclusion that TSM had to know from the fact that their attorney knew. But he knew in his capacity as the Penn State attorney, and I don't think he was able to share that info. Even if the TSM were told, they would have heard in the end that the D.A. decided not to file charges.

"State College attorney Wendell V. Courtney was apprised of the investigation in 1998 because he was then-counsel for Penn State and for The Second Mile, a position he still holds. He was unavailable for comment Monday.

That investigation, by University Police, was closed when the Centre County district attorney's office decided not to file charges."



Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11312/1188304-143.stm#ixzz1dM5jPl9Y

[Aerows]

58. I don't buy it

As closely united and with as many of the same people involved in these two organizations - Penn State football and TSM - I don't believe for a SECOND that they didn't know it.

I just can't suspend my disbelief that far. People talk, and there were too many of the same people involved, and frankly, too MANY people involved period that this wouldn't get around. There is NO WAY they didn't know.

[kestrel91316]

52. My ONLY question: WAS POPPY BUSH ONE OF THESE DONORS???

[Aerows]

55. It wouldn't surprise me

This is just like many of the other scandals of this type. I can't remember if he was the Franklin scandal or the Boy's Town scandal.

[MadrasT]

102. Donors are listed in the 2010 annual report

http://www.thesecondmile.org/pdf/AnnualReport2010.pdf">The Second Mile 2010 Annual Report

[TheWraith]

3. For that matter, Paterno is on their board of directors.

Either he told the other directors about the 2002 report, in which case they knew, or he didn't, in which case it's even more obvious he was covering up.

[Aerows]

4. OMG

He was on the board of directors at the Second Mile Foundation? Good Lord.

So wait - he KNEW Sandusky was doing this because he'd been reported twice, and yet he never thought to mention "gee, maybe we shouldn't let these little boys go on unsupervised trips and sleepovers"!?

I did not know that.

If that's the case, then all the Paterno apologists have NO legs to stand on. I mean come on, you don't let a guy known, at the very least, to indecently expose himself to children take them on trips if you give one damn about those kids.

[thewiseguy]

10. Arnold Palmer, Andy Reid, and Dick Vermeil are also on their board of directors...

http://postgamepresser.com/andy-reid-and-some-other-high-profile-board-members-make-up-the-second-mile-foundation/

[Aerows]

30. The abuse of one boy

Took place a few times at a golf resort. If I was Arnold Palmer, I'd be pissed that my name was associated with something like that.

[justiceischeap]

103. I'm not trying to give anyone a pass but honorary board members

don't usually have much to do with an organization other than lending their name.

[TheWraith]

16. Yep. There's really no plausible scenario where he DIDN'T know something.

Even if you assume that he somehow, magically, didn't know about the 1998 investigation, he still should have reacted

In reality, there's no way to read his actions as anything other than covering up to a massive extent. Probably including that the 1998 incident was the reason for Sandusky's "surprise" retirement a year later, including tactically not reporting the 2002 rape to the police, and the fact that the university administration's only response to the 2002 report was to take away Sandusky's gym access and telling him not to bring any more boys from Second Mile to the Penn State facilities. Can you get more obvious than that that they knew he was doing something wrong, and just wanted to limit their exposure? Ignore the fact that he's raping little boys, just keeping him from doing it right in their showers. And who knows how much more Paterno may have known that just isn't public knowledge yet.

[Aerows]

18. Good grief.

Take away gym access, and not bring more boys from SM to Penn State, and all of them also knowing that wasn't really enforceable.

[TheWraith]

19. Well... they DID take his keys away...

:eyes:

It really does boil down to "Not here. Do it somewhere else."

[Aerows]

23. Gee, taking his keys away was a really great way to handle it

It does boil down to that, and there is no way they can claim "I knew nothing" if they did that.

[TheWraith]

27. I agree entirely. That, for me, is the dead giveaway part.

It confesses both knowledge of his activities, and their complete lack of intention to stop him.

[Huey P. Long]

5. Sure they did.

I just listened to Barry Switzer's (former Head FB coach) comments on this. He is saying everybody HAD to know. All the coaches, staff, wives, and everyone associated with the program.
I would include the foundation as well.

[Aerows]

9. Well they are just as guilty as everyone else of covering it up

If not more so, since they took no steps to protect the children in their care and in their program.

God, this story just gets worse and worse.

[fishwax]

6. Are you sure Sandusky was arrested in 1998?

He was investigated, but I don't recall that he was arrested.

[Aerows]

7. Well I'm sure he went down to the police station at least once

I thought I had heard he was arrested, but then not convicted since the DA's office wouldn't file charges. Still - if Paterno was on the Board of Directors and knew all of this crap, and didn't speak up about not letting Sandusky have access to the children alone, he's just as culpable as anyone else that covered it up like Curley and Schulz.

[TheDebbieDee]

8. In the early 90s, I read a work of fiction (by Jonathan Kellerman,

I think) about a philanthropic group of older, wealthy, white gentlemen that funded an organization that provided tutoring and therapy to learning disabled children with undeveloped or under-developed communication skills.

Of course, these men were able to spend lots of unsupervised time alone with the children when they were not with their well-meaning and legitimate tutors and therapists.

Anyway, eventually, one of the therapists had success with helping one of the children with their communication skills and the child was able to get through to the therapist that he was being sexually abused.

These disadvantaged children that Sandusky and others were working with, did they have communication problems?

[Aerows]

12. Probably some of them did

Or were so emotionally scarred they were afraid to say anything.

[TheWraith]

17. They've been described as "at risk" kids in need of "positive human contact."

In other words, probably with very poor home lives, few people they could trust, and not a lot of supervision. Perfect targets.

[alcibiades_mystery]

11. Sandusky was not arrested in 1998

A report was investigated, and no charges were filed.

I think the discretion with which that report was investigated will become a key issue here, especially in the perjury charges for Curley and Schultz. It seems altogether possible that the University police detectives, State College police detectives, DA Gricar, and even Child Protective Services investigated the charges with a view toward limiting damage to Sandusky's reputation should the charges not pan out.

I think everybody - Curley, Schultz, Paterno, and Spanier - will claim they never heard boo about the 1998 charges.

Were the 1998 charges reported to TSM? Were they reported to the University administration? Those questions are not seemingly answered in the Presentment.

That said, I think TSM is the next on the chopping block here, and we're going to see who at that organization knew what and when fairly soon.

[Aerows]

22. They DEFINITELY need to be on the chopping block

They are as culpable as anyone. You have people on the Board of Directors that at the very least knew SOMETHING about it. They can claim they didn't know boo about the 1998 charges, but remember, Sandusky retired shortly after that, when many people thought he was up for head coach when Paterno retired in 1997.

Found this: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11312/1188304-143.stm

"the organization knew as early as 1998 that Mr. Sandusky was under investigation for similar sexual misconduct in a Penn State shower involving a different boy from the program, according to a presentment by a statewide investigating grand jury."

Since they are so closely linked with Penn State, you really can't plausibly say that none of them knew about it.

[alcibiades_mystery]

24. I don't give much weight to the

connection between the 1998 investigation and Sandusky's retirement. It's just as likely that Joe told him he had no plans of returing in the near future, and Sandusky was just ready. It may, of course, be exactly what everyone is saying: an easy way out because the program didn't want to have him on staff. But I've seen no evidence of that. I think the Grand Jury, given its targeting of Curley and Schultz, would have presented any evidence that they could find that both knew about the 1998 investigation. But they presented no evidence to that effect, which makes me wonder if there is any.

[Aerows]

29. The Second Mile knew

According to that article I just linked, so I can't see how Penn State *wouldn't* know. You know since it happened in a Penn State shower, if they did an investigation with any amount of depth, they asked SOMEBODY at Penn State, and Paterno was also involved with TSM.

Curley and Schultz were found to not be credible by the Grand Jury, and I suspect they will be investigated, so I wouldn't place any stock by what they knew or didn't know, because they would just lie about it anyway. Why would they admit they already knew this was going on for 4 years?

[pnwmom]

32. Curly lied to the Grand Jury and he told the same lie to The Second Mile.

So how would the Second Mile know the truth?

I don't think the attorney could have told The Second Mile about the 1998 proceeding without breaching the attorney/client relationship he had with Penn State.

[alcibiades_mystery]

36. Or vice versa: was he told in his capacity as counsel to TSM, or PSU?

Yoohoo, Wendell Courtney?

Surprised this dude's name is not in the thick of things yet.

[pnwmom]

37. Since the investigation was done through Penn State, he would have learned of it

through Penn State. And I don't think he could have shared that info with The Second Mile without breaching privilege.

[Aerows]

53. Indeed

This guy knew about it one way or the other. It just seems like this was an extremely close union of these organizations - I find it very difficult to believe that so many people were involved with both that there wasn't a cover up both directions.

Sorry, I just can't suspend my disbelief that far.

[pnwmom]

54. Yes, the attorney did know. But he was bound by confidentiality,

so I don't know why you assume he would have breached his obligations to Penn State and shared information about an ongoing investigation with TSM.

[alcibiades_mystery]

62. It's not clear that he was bound by confidentiality

That's just your contention. It's just as likely that the investigators apprised him as both the TSM and PSU counsel, since both organizations were involved. If you have any direct evidence that he was bound by confidentiality and only apprised in one of his functions (i.e., as counsel to PSU), please feel free to provide that.

[pnwmom]

65. I don't and neither does anyone else here.

[alcibiades_mystery]

82. Right

The most we can say is that it may be that he was informed only in his function as PSU counsel and didn't pass the information on to TSM because it was privileged. Or maybe not. Maybe he was informed in both his functions, and no privilege applied.

[pnwmom]

85. I guess what I hate to see is a whole organization smeared because of the actions

of one pervert.

Look at the names on the Board. These are unpaid volunteers who probably met a few times a year, gave a bunch of money, and had no day to day involvement with operations. The information they had was the information the paid directors gave them. Do we really think, for example, that the President of Hershey's and all the other people on the list should be smeared as enablers? I don't. Not on the basis of the little information we have so far. Not if we want good people to stay involved with charitable organizations.

[Aerows]

86. I don't want to see a whole organization smeared

But SOMEONE had to know from TSM, and they need to be held responsible for the peace of mind of the donors.

[Aerows]

70. Agreed

That's a big assumption.

[alcibiades_mystery]

34. The article notes that Wendell Courtney

(PSU counsel) knew of the 1998 investigation, so it's clear that somebody at PSU knew. But the question is whether the retirement was linked to that investigation, and that's far less clear. In any case, it's not necessary to rely on Curley and Schultz for that information. One could find out whether any information was turned over to Curley and/or Schultz by the detectives investigating the charges - all of whom seem angry and more than willing to cooperate. If they had either interviewed or provided Curley and Schultz with information, they would surely have let the grand jury know that, and the Grand Jury Presentment surely would have listed that as further evidence against Curley and Schultz's positions. There is no such indication. Maybe the whole thing was buried by Wendell Courtney? Who knows. The paper trail is not presented in the evidence we have.

[Aerows]

66. Not to mention the disappearing DA

That part of this case is fishy beyond belief.

[fishwax]

50. the presentment says that Schultz knew about the '98 investigation

I guess it could be ambiguous wrt exactly when he knew about it (at the time or at some point between 1998 and 2002), but it says that he knew and knew that Wendell Courtney had authorized it.

Spanier claims not to have known.

It doesn't say either way for Curley, I don't think.

[pnwmom]

67. Schultz was with Penn State, not TSM. Right? And that investigation

was closed without the DA filing charges.

[fishwax]

90. yes on both counts n/t

[Rageneau]

13. This Second Mile Foundation deserves a second look.

And a third and a fourth.

According to their website, they perform no real services other than matching up disadvantaged youth with positive role models (like Sandusky?). They are affiliated with no church or philantrophic organization. Their only funding is private donations and they are CLOSELY associated with Penn State (or as BartCop is calling it: "State Penn."

What gives here?

[notadmblnd]

15. So these "role models" pay this organization for access to these young boys?

Sounds like this organization is nothing but a pimp.

[pnwmom]

25. You're not reading the same website I am then.

They provide grants to children, as well as scholarships and awards. They also have counseling services and make referrals.

Here's some info about then I found on their website:


http://www.thesecondmile.org/programsAndServices/community/commCoun.php

http://www.thesecondmile.org/programsAndServices/community/commChil.php

Children's Fund Grants

The Children's Fund Grant program provides small grants to children and youth up to age 18 with needs that might otherwise "fall through the cracks." The Second Mile staff works directly with school counselors and other youth service professionals to identify children with immediate and specific needs for which other funding is not available.
Children's Fund grants assist with a variety of needs including, but not limited to:
▪ Musical instrument repair,
▪ Post-fire toy replacement,
▪ Prom accessories,
▪ A school yearbook,
▪ A baseball glove, or
▪ A portion of the costs for a field trip or extracurricular activity.

Grants are generally limited to $50 per child ($200 per family) in any given year to allow this resource to be made available to as many youngsters as possible.

The Second Mile Post-Secondary Scholarships
The Post-Secondary Scholarship program provides educational scholarships of $500 or $1,000 for Second Mile program "graduates" - those who have attended the Challenge Program, participated in Friend or Friend Fitness, or been a member of a team at The Leadership Institute. Scholarships are awarded to students on the basis of financial need, and monies granted may be used towards payment of tuition or towards other school-related expenses such as purchase of books. Applicants must verify that they are enrolled at a post-secondary institution and may reapply each year as long as they continue to be enrolled. Please see the Information for Students & Parents for more information and the Scholarship Application.

The Second Mile Community Service Awards

The Community Service Awards program recognizes high school seniors who have demonstrated exemplary levels of commitment to community service. Students living in select counties are eligible for this award. School counselors from high schools in these counties nominate top students who are then recognized for their outstanding achievements. Each nominated student receives a certificate and a savings bond. From these nominations, we choose winners, and these students receive a $1,000, $750, or $500 savings bond.

[Aerows]

33. And they have close to $10M in assets

Husband and wife - he's CEO, she's VP - both take home over $100,000/year each.

[notadmblnd]

14. People may not like it, but I think the "charitible organization"

was really an exclusive child prostitution ring.

[Berlin Expat]

41. That's the hot

rumor currently flying around.

There are allegations that Mr. Sandusky was making kids available for donors. In other words, a pedophile/child prostitution ring.

This is going to be an epic sports scandal......people will talking about this for years, if not decades to come.

Those poor kids and their families.

[notadmblnd]

60. I'd love to see a donor list

I'll bet there's some politicians on it.

[kestrel91316]

64. Was Poppy Bush one of those big donors???????

[notadmblnd]

72. That thought has crossed my mind.

I'm also wondering how many other "foundations" established to help underprivileged boys are actually involved in pimping them out for sex?

[kestrel91316]

61. People aren't gonna like it, but I think you are dead on, and furthermore,

I am seriously wondering if THIS child prostitution ring might be linked with the rumored DC gay male/child prostitution ring that Poppy Bush was rumored to be linked to.

I hate Bush as much as anybody, but SOMEBODY PLEASE TELL ME THIS CANNOT BE POSSIBLE.

[pnwmom]

20. They only knew what Curley told them, and he lied.

Since he told the same lie to the Grand Jury (and has now been charged with perjury), I tend to believe the Second Mile. From their web page:

"As The Second Mile’s CEO Jack Raykovitz testified to the Grand Jury, he was informed in 2002 by Pennsylvania State University Athletic Director Tim Curley that an individual had reported to Mr. Curley that he was uncomfortable about seeing Jerry Sandusky in the locker room shower with a youth. Mr. Curley also shared that the information had been internally reviewed and that there was no finding of wrongdoing. At no time was The Second Mile made aware of the very serious allegations contained in the Grand Jury report."

[Kingofalldems]

21. Looks like a Special Prosecutor will be required

to sort this thing out.

[Taverner]

26. As another DUer pointed out, this is about a lack of empathy

On all parties

And yes, it is bad. Very grim, very dark and very evil.

[thewiseguy]

47. According to Washington Post, The organization was notified in 2002

[pnwmom]

57. Penn State's Curley lied to them, the same way he lied to the Grand Jury

(which is why he's been charged with perjury). They were told only that someone was uncomfortable seeing Sandusky in the shower with a child, and that the matter had been investigated and no wrong-doing was found.

[thewiseguy]

68. Sorry but that is just bullshit

Just like Joe Paterno saying hey I was not aware of the serious allegations made in the grand jury report. Yea right!

The guy was also under investigation in 1998 for child sex abuse. And this comes up again in 2002...and even lets pretend for a second that the organization was lied to. Where is the common sense? Come on we are not that stupid. This is a typical bullshit response to avoid lawsuits, and oh believe me they are coming.

[pnwmom]

73. There is no evidence that TSM was told about the 1998 investigation.

Which the DA dropped without filing charges. In 2002, Curley told them that Penn State had investigated an incident involving Sandusky in the shower with a child, and that no wrongdoing was found.

In hindsight, TSM was clearly wrong to trust Penn State; but at the time I don't think the situation was so clear.

[thewiseguy]

74. Are you really that naive? Why do you think Sandusky resigned abruptly in 1999?

Because of the freaking allegations brought against him. The Second Mile Organization was founded by Sandusky...

You got to be kidding me!

[pnwmom]

78. I think many if not all of the trustees could have been that trusting.

They were probably all big Penn State supporters and they weren't as suspicious as they should have been. I certainly don't think they were all pedophiles, as some people here are implying.

Nothing excuses what Sandusky did, or any University cover-up afterwards. But, as a board member of another charitable organization, I can easily see that the typical board member at TSM could have been out of the loop.

It's one of the scary things about taking on the volunteer job of a non-profit board seat. You don't know what you might be getting into.

[lunatica]

56. Maybe some high officials were also pedophiles.

When you start creating foundations to 'help' boys you're more than just a pedophile doing it for your own pleasure. There are surely others involved. When this crap gets hushed up for decades, it's time to get very suspicious about why.

[pnwmom]

63. Great. Why should anyone ever start a foundation to help children

if people will make judgments like that?

I'm on a board of a charitable organization, and I considered the issue of potential legal liability -- for who knows what -- before accepting the appointment. It will be a tragedy to add to all the others if this case makes people think twice before getting involved in organizations that help children, for fear that other people will view them as pedophiles.

From their website, besides providing professional counseling and referrals, these are the kinds of things these "pedophiles" at TSM are funding:



http://www.thesecondmile.org/programsAndServices/commun ...

http://www.thesecondmile.org/programsAndServices/commun ...

Children's Fund Grants

The Children's Fund Grant program provides small grants to children and youth up to age 18 with needs that might otherwise "fall through the cracks." The Second Mile staff works directly with school counselors and other youth service professionals to identify children with immediate and specific needs for which other funding is not available.
Children's Fund grants assist with a variety of needs including, but not limited to:
▪ Musical instrument repair,
▪ Post-fire toy replacement,
▪ Prom accessories,
▪ A school yearbook,
▪ A baseball glove, or
▪ A portion of the costs for a field trip or extracurricular activity.

Grants are generally limited to $50 per child ($200 per family) in any given year to allow this resource to be made available to as many youngsters as possible.

The Second Mile Post-Secondary Scholarships
The Post-Secondary Scholarship program provides educational scholarships of $500 or $1,000 for Second Mile program "graduates" - those who have attended the Challenge Program, participated in Friend or Friend Fitness, or been a member of a team at The Leadership Institute. Scholarships are awarded to students on the basis of financial need, and monies granted may be used towards payment of tuition or towards other school-related expenses such as purchase of books. Applicants must verify that they are enrolled at a post-secondary institution and may reapply each year as long as they continue to be enrolled. Please see the Information for Students & Parents for more information and the Scholarship Application.

The Second Mile Community Service Awards

The Community Service Awards program recognizes high school seniors who have demonstrated exemplary levels of commitment to community service. Students living in select counties are eligible for this award. School counselors from high schools in these counties nominate top students who are then recognized for their outstanding achievements. Each nominated student receives a certificate and a savings bond. From these nominations, we choose winners, and these students receive a $1,000, $750, or $500 savings bond.

[lunatica]

76. I was very specifically speaking about Sandusky

I believe there are probably 1,000 great foundations for 1 that's bad.

I also think there are more good and kind priests who aren't pedophiles than priests who are. I really can hold these two ideas in my head at once.

But I also know that pedophiles tend to be around foundations and institutions that give them access to their prey.

[pnwmom]

79. Okay, I thought you were talking about the current leadership.

I agree that pedophiles hang around institutions that give them access. And when they're outed, unfortunately everyone in the organization gets smeared with the same brush.

[Aerows]

89. And it's a shame

These institutions need to be diligent to prevent this sort of thing, though. Pedophiles are always going to go after vulnerable kids, and it's up to the adults in the organization to do their best to help prevent them from preying on them.

[pnwmom]

92. I agree, but it's harder than you think. I assume that organization

followed the laws that apply (background checks, etc.) But when you're not involved in day-to-day operations, it's unclear to me what you can do. A board members' biggest decision is probably made in hiring the paid org leaders.

[Aerows]

75. Exactly

Either they are getting paid to turn a blind eye, or they are directly involved in the abuse themselves. That's my take on it.

[pnwmom]

80. The Board members are volunteers who aren't getting paid for anything

and aren't involved in day to day operations.

[Aerows]

91. I'm talking about people that are deeply involved

in day to day operations, and possibly one or two of the more involved members - not someone like Mark Wahlberg who is on the Honorary Board, but probably has no clue what goes on there on a daily basis.

[pnwmom]

93. Not just the Honorary Board. I doubt that most people on the State Board

would have inside info on the day to day operations, either -- the major exception being the paid staff members who are also board members.

http://www.thesecondmile.org/ourTeam/bod/bodStat.php

[Safetykitten]

59. Oh they knew alright. Oh yes they did.

[Gin]

77. are the Sanduskys CEO & VP of TSM? if so,,,,that will hurt if that

cash flow dries up.

[TorchTheWitch]

69. it's Sandusky's foundation and a front

The whole reason he set it up was so that he could have a perpetual personal supermarket of prey - vulnerable kids with no adult they could trust and rely on.

I've been feeling for awhile that his foundation will turn out to be more covered in Sandusky filth than the university.

[pnwmom]

81. He started it but it hasn't been "his" for years. n/t

[TorchTheWitch]

87. So?

The allegations that broke this story occurred years ago when he certainly was "his".

[pnwmom]

88. But there's no evidence that TSM knew about the 1998 allegations,

or that they were told anything by Penn State's Curley in 2002, other than what he told the Grand Jury (and for which he's been charged with perjury.)

[TorchTheWitch]

99. Oh yes there is

The boy from the 1998 allegations was (like all the rest) from the foundation. It isn't possible that police didn't interview people involved with the foundation at that time, and they certainly knew Sandusky was behaving inappropriately with boys from the foundation since he practically FLAUNTED taking his current victim around with him, showering him with gifts, having his sleep at his home, etc.

In any case, I said I had a FEELING that the foundation is up to it's eyeballs even more appallingly than the university. A FEELING doesn't require any evidence to begin with.

[pnwmom]

101. Yeah, and you had a feeling about those evil Duke students too, didn't you?

Curley told the TSM people that their 2002 investigation showed no wrong-doing, and the DA dropped his investigation of the 1998 incident, which the TSM board might not even have known about.

As a general policy, I prefer to wait till there's some actual evidence, rather than engage in media-led witch-hunts. And that Grand Jury report doesn't include any information about what the TSM board would have known, except for the lies told them by Curley.

:shrug:

Why the rush to judgment? Maybe it will turn out that the TSM is just a nest of vipers. I'm going to wait for the actual evidence before I make up my mind.

[Aerows]

95. That is my suspicion

That there are at least a few involved in the organization that knew all about this, and possibly even helped him pick out kids that would be "compliant".

[JVS]

84. Yeah, them and the local police. How many times did they need to investigate this guy before...

they charged him with something.

I hadn't read of Sandusky being arrested in 1998. I thought he was warned by the police.

[Aerows]

94. I got that wrong

He was investigated. The mother of a victim confronted him twice on a phone call with the police listening in, and he admitted to improper behavior. Why he wasn't charged is beyond me.

[JVS]

96. Yeah, reading the Grand Jury report, I am most shocked by how many times he was investigated but...

not prosecuted. It seems to me that the authorities had no desire to move on this.

[Aerows]

98. Well, between that and the DA that went missing

It makes you wonder just what on Earth was going on. There are just so many elements of this whole situation - beyond the horrific actions by Sandusky - that make you wonder.

[pnwmom]

97. That is the big question. n/t

[TorchTheWitch]

100. because the improper behavior didn't constitute a crime

He showered with the boy. It is not a crime for an adult to shower with a boy. There is a world of difference between improper behavior and criminal behavior. The DA simply did not have enough evidence for the allegations to rise to the level of a crime. And they tried to find criminal evidence since what he DID do was suspicious and would be in anyone's book.

It's also unclear whether or not the boy would have been willing to testify at trial, and without his testimony there is no case.

Additionally, this was a very powerful person in the community who at the time was regarded much like a local hero, and the jury would come from that community. Even if there WAS enough evidence to rise to the level of a crime without evidence of something truly revolting like the incident in 2002 with the 10 year old in the shower being sodomized most DA's wouldn't want to move forward on the case either since most DA's won't move forward on any case that doesn't have a good potential of a win.