Jerry Sandusky Investigation: Joe Paterno Issues Statement, Says He's 'Deeply Saddened' By Allegations

Read More: Penn St. Nittany Lions

Penn State Head Football Coach Joe Paterno was shocked that one of his former employees allegedly sexually assaulted eight boys, some of which while he was under the employ of Paterno at Penn State.

In Sunday's press release, Paterno said "If true, the nature and amount of charges made are very shocking to me and all Penn Staters. While I did what I was supposed to with the one charge brought to my attention, like anyone else involved I can't help but be deeply saddened these matters are alleged to have occurred."

He continued by saying "As my grand jury testimony stated, I was informed in 2002 by an assistant coach that he had witnessed an incident in the shower of our locker room facility. It was obvious that the witness was distraught over what he saw, but he at no time related to me the very specific actions contained in the Grand Jury report. Regardless, it was clear that the witness saw something inappropriate involving Mr. Sandusky. As Coach Sandusky was retired from our coaching staff at that time, I referred the matter to university administrators."

Sandusky, the former Penn State defensive coordinator, refused to answer questions about the accusations Sunday, though according to ABC News, his attorney released a statement saying that he was innocent and would fight the charges.

Sandusky retired in 1999, but was allowed to use Penn State facilities for a volunteer program to help struggling youth known as The Second Mile. He also allegedly leveraged his position in the volunteer program to land a high school coaching job where he continued to stalk and abuse a victim of his for many years. According to the same ABC News report, after an investigation, he was banned from the high school in 2009. The ABC News report also states that Sandusky has also been banned from the campus per a university press release.

The scandal certainly has the attention of Penn State, as trustees are currently meeting about the issue.

Keep an eye on this Storystream and on SB Nation Pittsburgh as more develops.