Whistleblower Sues Penn State for Defamation

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Penn State whistleblower, who reported former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky for child sexual abuse, has filed a lawsuit against the university citing defamation and misrepresentation.

Mike McQueary, a former Penn State graduate assistant, believes that treatment he has received from the university since Sandusky’s arrest in November has caused him distress, anxiety, humiliation and embarrassment, The Associated Press reports.

He alleges that he was terminated from his position because he testified at the preliminary hearing for former Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and vice president Gary Shultz, who have been charged with perjury and failure to properly report suspected child abuse in the Sandusky case. McQueary is also expected to be a prime witness against the duo at trial.

In his lawsuit, McQueary states that he learned that his contract was not being renewed after viewing a news conference in July by Penn State’s new president Rodney Erickson. He claims his salary was $140,000 and that future earnings as a coach could amount to at least $4 million.

McQueary seeks reinstatement, a bowl bonus he lost while on leave, legal fees, back pay and benefits through the Sandusky trial.

Read the full story.

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