Pat LaLama Exclusive: New Sandusky Accuser Says Assault Involved Alcohol

December 23, 2011

[ Pat LaLama's stellar career in broadcast journalism is a chronicle of some of the most iconic events in modern history.  Here's her take on the Penn State sex scandal.    Read her Bio >> ]

 

A civil suit just filed in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas is the latest legal salvo fired at former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. The newest accuser in the schools sex abuse scandal has a shocking account of a 2004 sexual assault allegedly perpetrated by Sandusky.  It involves whiskey and sodomy. Investigation Discovery has exclusive details.

Attorney Charles Schmidt tells me his client, who will be 20 years old in January, was a participant in Sandusky’s charity, The Second Mile.  According to Schmidt, his client who was 12 years old at the time of the alleged incident was involved in an educational exercise where according to Schmidt, the children were answering questions about current affairs and history. Those who answered correctly were awarded a prize.

Schmidt told me that when his client correctly answered a question pertaining to a presidential quote, Sandusky announced that there were no more prizes but he would see what he could do.

According to Schmidt, Sandusky escorted the alleged victim to his office where the former coach began talking to the boy about his mother’s death the year before. (She suffered from severe diabetes and died as a result.) The boy was under a great deal of stress and still grief-stricken.

Schmidt says that after engaging the boy in conversation for a while, Sandusky brought out a bottle of whiskey, poured a glass and told the boy to drink it. Moments later, according to the accuser’s account, Sandusky “pulled his trunks down and sodomized him.” Then he says, Sandusky “cleaned him off”, gave him a couple of Penn State sports mementos, walked him back to the Second Mile area and handed him off to a counselor.

The accuser said he avoided Sandusky after the incident and never again had physical contact with him.  Schmidt says for years his client was agonized by the incident believing he was the only one who had experienced something so terrible.

When the alleged victim became aware last month of the grand jury indictment against Sandusky, he says he got the courage to tell his story to police. The accuser has been interviewed by the State Attorney General which is investigating the claims. At this point he is not part of the criminal case which involves 10 other accusers.

This latest case is the second civil suit filed against Sandusky.  Schmidt said he wanted to file the suit before the statute of limitations expires.

Other parties named in the suit include Penn State University and The Second Mile.  “We believe our case will hold up in court. Our witness is credible”, says Schmidt.  He adds, “When we interviewed him, he was in anguish. We could see the emotion in his face. It was hard to get him to talk to us. He relives the incident constantly.”

Schmidt says his client is apprehensive about moving forward with the lawsuit because of his fear of the publicity it will generate but “he’s doing it so he can get some sense of retribution. The assault took away part of his childhood.”

At the time of this posting,  Sandusky’s attorney, Joe Amendola could not be reached for comment.

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Related Links:

>>Read: Sandusky's Next Play In The Game
>>Read: Jerry Sandusky Back On The Streets
>>Read: Jerry Sandusky Back In Cuffs
>>Read: Penn State Scandal: A Case of David vs Goliath?

 

04 - The Second Mile, located in State College, PA, is a nonprofit organization for underprivileged youth founded in 1977 by Jerry Sandusky, a former assistant coach at Penn State University. Jerry Sandusky met all of the alleged victims through The Second Mile according to the Grand Jury Presentment. © Matthew O'Haren/Icon SMI/Corbis

Pat LaLama: Jerry Sandusky Back In Cuffs

December 07, 2011

[ Pat LaLama's stellar career in broadcast journalism is a chronicle of some of the most iconic events in modern history.  Here's her take on the Penn State sex scandal.    Read her Bio >> ]

 

Jerry Sandusky is back in handcuffs today, rearrested and charged with additional counts of sexual assault. Two new alleged victims told the Grand Jury they too met Sandusky through his charity, The Second Mile. One of the accusers said the assault took place as recently as 2004.The other in 1997.

The slew of new charges, added to the 40 he already faces, include involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor,
indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors. 

Get ready to be dizzy with disgust regarding details of the alleged assault on one of the two new victims. It’s graphic.  According to the report, “Sandusky also attempted to engage in anal penetration of Victim 9 on at least sixteen occasions and at times did penetrate him”.  The victim said that on at least one occasion, while in Sandusky’s basement, he screamed for help, knowing that Sandusky’s wife was upstairs, but no one ever came to help him

Given the ever expanding laundry list of charges, I say any judge would be well within their right to find this man to be a clear and present danger to society and simply deny bail!  Or at the very least, set the bail so high, it would be the functional equivalent of no bail. (Assuming Jerry’s financially solvent buddy network doesn’t come to his rescue.) Prosecutors sought a $1million bond, but the judge set it at $250,000. As of this posting, Sandusky was not able to make bail and sits in jail.

And while Sandusky may think his well-placed interviews with various news media are helping his case, all his jabbering about being innocent doesn’t appear to be intimidating his accusers---it’s only serving to incense them.

The floodgates have opened, and accusers are finding strength in numbers. As of now, there are a total of ten.

 Meanwhile, if you read my post yesterday, I made the comment that if I saw anyone sexually assaulting a child “I would tackle the creep, scream like a crazy woman and call the cops.”

That statement prompted some of my friends and colleagues to ask themselves the question…
”What would I do?”

So now I pose the question to you. This requires some really honest self-analysis.  

Are you the type who simply cannot get involved?  

Would you do nothing? 

Would you not intervene, but tell someone in a position of authority, such as a teacher,
boss or coach?

Would you call the police?

Would you actually intervene?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. There are true consequences to getting involved or becoming a witness. It takes courage and willingness to be raked over the coals by the accused and his or her defenders. One’s reputation can be shredded. There can be a backlash. Think about it.

Back to Sandusky…he’ll be in court next Tuesday for a preliminary hearing. I ask you…should he be resting in the comfort of his own home until then, or should he be denied his freedom given the seriousness of the charges against him?

 

Related Links:
Pat LaLama Reports: Penn State Sex Scandal: A Case Of David vs. Goliath?
Sandusky's Charity, Second Mile, Announces Layoffs
In Photos: Who's Involved In The Scandal?
Scandals Reveal Sex Offender Laws' Limits

 

Photo Caption/Credit: This Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 photo provided by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General shows former Penn State football defensive coordinator Gerald "Jerry" Sandusky. Sandusky is charged with sexually abusing eight young men. Also, Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and Penn State vice president for finance and business Gary Schultz, 62, are expected to turn themselves in on Monday in Harrisburg, Pa., on charges of perjury and failure to report under PennsylvaniaÌs child protective services law in connection with the investigation into the abuse allegations against Sandusky. (credit: AP Photo/Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General)

Meet the Bleep: Oscar De La Hoya’s Low Blow: Boxer Admits He Cheated, Lied and Dressed in Drag

September 12, 2011

 

Stories of downright dirty deception, exposed

 

credit: Wireimage/Getty Images

 

Meet the Bleep: Oscar De La Hoya

The Betrayal:
Back in 2007, when a stripper released racy photos of a man she claimed was Oscar De La Hoya, clad in fishnets and high heels, the athlete's camp denied that the photos were of him. De La Hoya's team jabbed at the stripper’s story, insisting she was after De La Hoya’s money. 

 

The Break:
But in a recent interview with Univision, Oscar De La Hoya delivered quite a blow to his own credibility, admitting the scandalous photos were of him and that he had cheated on his wife.

Referring to another professional athlete’s extramarital affairs, De La Hoya said:

'We are obviously not talking a Tiger Woods here, but I was unfaithful.’

The former boxer also came clean about his bouts with drugs and alcohol. Talk about a knockdown.

Weigh-in on the full story:

 

Related Links:
Read other "Meet The Bleep" Stories
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Former Major League Baseball Player Roger Clemens Indicted

August 21, 2010

Roger Clemens has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C. and charged with one count of obstruction of Congress, three counts of making false statements, and two counts of perjury in connection with his February 2008 testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

The indictment was returned in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. If convicted of all charges, Clemens, 48, of Houston, Texas, faces a combined maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine.

In January and February 2008, the House Committee held a hearing titled, "The Mitchell Report: The Illegal Use of Steroids in Major League Baseball." The hearing examined the allegations contained in a comprehensive report issued in December 2007 by former Senator George J. Mitchell titled, "Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation into the Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball."

During its 2008 hearing, the Committee took sworn testimony from Senator Mitchell, Clemens and several others. Clemens, a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1984 to 2007, made statements under oath denying his use of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone (HGH). Anabolic steroids and HGH are performance enhancing drugs. Following his testimony, the Committee formally referred this matter to the Department of Justice to investigate whether Clemens committed any federal crimes in connection with his testimony.

The charges in this federal grand jury indictment are a result of that referral. They are set forth in detail in the six-count indictment.

"The Department of Justice takes referrals from Congressional Committees very seriously. Americans have a right to expect that witnesses who testify under oath before Congress will tell the truth," United States Attorney Ronald Machen stated. "Our government cannot function if witnesses are not held accountable for false statements made before Congress. Today the message is clear: if a witness makes a choice to ignore his or her obligation to testify honestly, there will be consequences."

 FBI Assistant Director Henry added: "The FBI has a responsibility to ensure the integrity of the investigative process is maintained, and that includes the obligation of witnesses to testify truthfully. This has been a long investigation, and I commend the special agents for their dedication collecting and analyzing the facts that have led to these charges."

This is the Committee's second referral to the Department of Justice that resulted from its investigation into steroid use in Major League Baseball. In February 2009, MLB player Miguel Tejada pleaded guilty to making misleading statements to Committee investigators concerning his knowledge of performance enhancing drugs. Tejada's case stemmed from statements he made in August 2005.

Two Arizona High School Coaches Indicted for Unrelated Sex Crimes

April 08, 2009

There must be something in the water in Apache Junction, Ariz. For the second time in two months, an Apache Junction High School girls' basketball coach has been indicted on charges of sexual misconduct involving a student.

The most recent case, involving 25-year-old Raeanna Jewell, came to light on March 26 when the mother of a 16-year-old student noticed suspicious text messages on her daughter's cell phone. The messages were allegedly sent by Jewell. The exact context of those messages has not yet been released. However, some of the texts purportedly included inappropriate images, a practice commonly referred to as "sexting."

During the course of the investigation, Apache Junction police determined that Jewell had allegedly engaged in inappropriate contact with the teen inside a restroom at the high school gym. Police say that the incidents occurred between Jan. 1 and March 26. Upon completing their investigation, police arrested Jewell on March 29.

The allegations came as a shock to many local residents. Prior to becoming a girls' basketball and softball coach, Jewell was a star basketball player at Washington's Gonzaga University, where, in 2005, she completed her career, having scored over 1,000 points.

"Rae is a dominant force offensively and defensively," former teammate Katie Prichard said in a March 2005 interview with gonzagabulletin.com. "She can drive and pull-up and shoot the lights out at the three-point line. She also has really quick feet and is strong and tough. Rae is a solid contributor and consistent."

The article went on to describe Jewell as an aggressive player with tremendous rebounding skills.

OJ Simpson Sentenced to 15 Years for Armed Robbery and Kidnapping

December 05, 2008

OJ Simpson, 61, was sentenced to a 15 year prison term today for his part in a botched robbery attempt to recover sports memorabilia.

Prior to sentencing, Simpson addressed the court, apologizing for the actions that led to today's hearing.

"In no way did I mean to hurt anybody and to steal anything from anyone," Simpson said. "I just didn’t want anybody else’s stuff; I just wanted my own. I realize that it was stupid of me. I didn’t think that I was doing anything illegal.  I thought I was retrieving my things. So I am sorry."

In sentencing Simpson, Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass said that it was against the law in the state of Nevada to take back property by force.

"It's much more than stupidity," Glass said. "You went to the room took guns, meaning you and the group, you used force, you took property whether yours or someone else's. That amounts to robbery."

Gun-Toting Football Player, Ronnie Wilson, Back With Florida Gators

August 18, 2008

According to the coach's Web site, the Florida Gators have an "aggressive, attacking, physical defense," which allows them to "harass the quarterback" and "punish" the opposition.

If the last year is any indication, the team's offense also likes to "harass" and "punish", or at least that is the example that has been set by 20-year-old Ronnie Wilson, a 6' 4", 315-pound offensive guard who was arrested last year for felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor battery.

Listen to part 1 of the 911 CallClick To Visit ID's Call 911 Page

The incident occurred outside of XS nightclub on April 5, 2007. According to the Gainesville police report, Wilson punched and spat on Frank Fuller, a Santa Fe Community College student. Following the assault, Fuller jumped into his car and dialed 911.

Listen to part 2 of the 911 CallClick To Visit ID's Call 911 Page

While on the phone with the dispatcher, Fuller followed Wilson to an empty parking lot, where the football player exited his vehicle, removed an AK-47 assault rifle from the trunk, and fired off a single round into the air. Wilson, according to the report, wanted Fuller "to know how it felt to be scared."

Listen to part 3 of the 911 CallClick To Visit ID's Call 911 Page

The gunshot can be heard in the second part of the 911 call. Also of note is the fact that it took a patrol car over 30 minutes to arrive on the scene.

As a result of the charges, Wilson was suspended indefinitely from the football team.  In an April 7, 2007, interview with Gainesville.com, coach Urban Meyer said that the university had a strict policy regarding the possession of guns.

"The punishment from the university is severe," Meyer said. "The university is really clear. It's non-negotiable."

On June 14, state attorney's office spokesman Spencer Mann announced that his office was reducing the charges against Wilson to one count of battery and one count of discharging a firearm in public. The new charges were both misdemeanors, which carried a maximum sentence of one year of imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.

"Probable cause at the time of the incident is usually much less than what we have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt," Mann told Orlandosentinel.com. "It's not unusual for charges to be adjusted."

Wilson finally had his day in court in August 2007, when he pled no contest both to battery and to discharging a firearm. As a result, Wilson received two years of court-supervised probation and was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to forfeit his assault rifle and to undergo a mental health evaluation.

For all intents and purposes, Wilson was let go with a slap on the wrist. End of story, right? Not quite.

On January 6, 2008, one day before Wilson was to return to Florida for the spring semester, he was arrested again and charged with possession of marijuana. According to the police report, Wilson was pulled over after he failed to obey a stop sign. A subsequent search of the vehicle, conducted by an officer with the Alachua County Sheriff's Department, resulted in the discovery of six grams of marijuana.

The arrest was an obvious violation of Wilson's probation. However, according to Miamiherald.com, the state attorney's office failed to notice that Wilson was on probation. Not only did they fail to take action regarding his probation, but also they later dismissed the entire case.

''You have to prove constructive possession, and that's a tough thing to prove a lot of times,'' Mann told Miamiherald.com. "This case was a weak one to start with."

According to Mann, the charges were also dismissed because the University of Florida was made aware of them and stated that their judicial affairs department would take over. The case was ultimately swept under the rug until the Miami Herald uncovered it earlier this month. Regardless, the university has refused to comment.

In spite of Wilson's outwardly reckless behavior, his fondness for guns ,and his alleged penchant for drugs, the crux of this story is the fact that coach Urban Meyer has now seemingly given his blessing to Wilson and has allowed him to participate in the team's first preseason practice.

Meyer defended the decision, in an interview with Sportsillustrated.cnn.com, saying, "I'm still evaluating him. I have a long history of giving guys opportunities. A lot of thought went into it, though.''

Evaluating? Doubtful. The fact that Ronnie Wilson, who now likes to go by "Ron," was on the field in the first place suggests that the "evaluation" has already been completed.

Wilson was also prepared for anyone aiming (no pun intended) to throw stones, having issued his own public statement:

''I'm sorry that I caused so much embarrassment for my family, the school, and the football program,'' Wilson said. "I'm thankful for the opportunity to be out here. It was very difficult being away from the school and the football team that I care so much about.''

Serious charges generally result in serious punishment; however, in Wilson's case, it would seem that shooting off an assault rifle is akin to throwing a Hail Mary.

Kudos to Urban Meyer for instilling and, er… enforcing discipline in his sports program!

Related Content: Call 911 : Listen to real 911 calls from people in need of emergency help

Photo Credits:
Ronnie Wilson - Police File Photo
AK-47 - Public Domain : United States Federal Government