Penn State to pay $59.7 million in 26 cases of Jerry Sandusky abuse

HAPPY VALLEY -- Penn State has agreed to pay $59.7 million to 26 men who said they were sexually abused by former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, serving what is effectively a life sentence for his conviction as a predator of boys.


The university announced on Monday that 23 of those who said they were abused had signed agreements and three more had reached agreements in principle during negotiations over the past months. Six cases had been rejected or talks are continuing, the university said.

The settlements are covered by confidentiality agreements, the university said.

The funds to pay the settlements will come from “various liability insurance policies, which the University believes cover the settlements and defense of claims brought against Penn State and its officers, employees and trustees,” the university said. “Expenses not covered by insurance are expected to be funded from interest revenues related to loans made by the University to its self-supporting units.”

No tuition or taxpayer funds will be used in funding the settlements, it said.

“We hope this is another step forward in the healing process for those hurt by Mr. Sandusky, and another step forward for Penn State,” University President Rodney Erickson said in a prepared statement. “We cannot undo what has been done, but we can and must do everything possible to learn from this and ensure it never happens again at Penn State.”

Sandusky was convicted of abusing at least 10 boys from a charity the coach founded for disadvantaged youths. Some of the abuse was alleged to have taken place at the training facility used by football players at Penn State. Other incidents of abuse took place at the Sandusky home and while traveling to sporting events, according to testimony at Sandusky’s June 2012 trial.

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