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After a two-year grand jury investigation, sexual abuse charges have been filed against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.
Sandusky, the Nittany Lions' former defensive coordinator, is facing 40 counts, including felony charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse of someone under 16, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault of someone under 16, indecent assault of someone under 13, and corruption of minors, The Patriot-News reported Friday.
The offenses were allegedly committed between 1996 and 2005. The grand jury investigation began when a teen alleged inappropriate contact against the 67-year-old former coach in 2009.
When news of the grand jury investigation broke in March, Sandusky denied the allegations, saying he "steadfastly maintains his innocence."
Sandusky was an assistant coach at Penn State for 32 years before retiring in 1999. He was also once considered the logical successor to Penn State's legendary coach Joe Paterno, who broke the record for victories by a Division I coach when his team overcame Illinois last Saturday.
The Second Mile, an organization founded by Sandusky to help underprivileged kids, released a statement Friday in light of the charges.
It read in part, "While The Second Mile was contacted in January 2011 by law enforcement officials with regard to these charges, in November 2008, Jerry informed us that he had learned he was being investigated as a result of allegations made against him by an adolescent male. Jerry maintains that there is no truth to the allegations.
"Nevertheless, as an organization that is committed first and foremost to the safety and well-being of the children we serve and consistent with The Second Mile policy, Jerry Sandusky has had no involvement in The Second Mile's children's programs and services since he made us aware of the allegations against him in November 2008."
