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A new judge has been appointed to oversee the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts announced Wednesday.
Judge Robert E. Scott will replace District Judge Leslie Dutchcot in response to a request from the Centre County Common Pleas Court for an out-of-county judicial assignment, according to a statement by the administrative office.
Dutchcot had come under criticism in recent days after it emerged she had ties to The Second Mile, the nonprofit organization at the center of the Penn State child sex abuse scandal. Sandusky founded Second Mile in 1977 to help disadvantaged children.
According to a report by myFOXphilly.com, Dutchcot, who released Sandusky last week on $100,000 unsecured bail, was the beneficiary of a fundraiser hosted by Second Mile in 2007 while she was running for office.
Prosecutors had requested bail be set at $500,000 and that an ankle monitor be required as a condition for Sandusky's release.
State Rep. Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery County) sent a letter to the state's supreme court and attorney general Tuesday requesting a review of Dutchcot's ruling in light of her connection to the charity.
The Harrisburg Patriot-News reported earlier this week that Dutchcot had volunteered for The Second Mile in the past, raising concerns about her suitability to preside over the arraignment. A source close to the case said Dutchcot took only a small role at events organized by the charity in 2008 and 2009 and had never met Sandusky.
The 2007 fundraiser netted Dutchcot $1,463 and came at a time when Sandusky was still serving as its founder, according to myFOXphilly.com.
Sandusky officially retired from The Second Mile in Sept. 2010.
The 67-year-old former Penn State assistant coach is accused in a 40-count indictment of sexually abusing eight boys he met through The Second Mile over a period of 15 years. He has maintained his innocence.
