UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The child sex abuse scandal at Penn State University involving Jerry Sandusky has now cost the university $49.4 million for legal and consulting services.
The latest calculation represents work by nearly 40 law firms that invoiced the university between November 2011 and June 30, 2013. In June, the costs spent on lawyers’ fees increased to nearly $1.7 million. The majority of that went to law firms representing former administrators — ex-President Graham Spanier, ex-Athletic Director Tim Curley and retired Vice President Gary Schultz — who are currently awaiting trial on perjury, obstruction of justice and related charges, The Morning Call reports.
Penn State has racked up $6.7 million in legal fees for former employees, who, as officers of Penn State, are allowed to have the university pay their legal bills. Additionally, the university has paid $1.8 million to DLA Piper, the law firm of former U.S. Senator George Mitchell, who has been appointed by the NCAA to monitor Penn State’s progress in implementing new compliance, ethical, security and governance reforms.
The university was also invoiced $463,069 in June by firms handling its own legal defenses.
University officials expect the costs of former employees’ lawyers’ fees to increase, as the bill do not reflect work they did during the summer for a preliminary hearing.
Related Articles:
- Sandusky Scandal Costs Penn State $10M to Date
- 29 Past Penn State Chairs Condemn Freeh Report, NCAA Sanctions
- Jury Finds Sandusky Guilty on 45 Sex Abuse Charges
- Freeh Finds Penn State Top Brass, Paterno Concealed Facts About Sandusky Allegations
- Child Sex Abuse: It’s More Prevalent Than You Think
- Who Is and Isn’t a Campus Security Authority
