Former Penn State president Graham Spanier has been charged with obstruction, endangering the welfare of children and perjury related to the Jerry Sandusky case, according to the Pennsylvania state Attorney General on Thursday afternoon.
In total, Spanier has been charged with eight crimes, three of which are felony charges. Speculation arose following the completion of the Freeh report by former FBI director Louis Freeh as to potential charges against Spanier. The internal investigation found that Spanier, in addition to Penn State officials Tim Curley and Gary Schultz, were all aware of two separate incidents (one in 2001 and another in 1998) of abuse by Sandusky and failed to report him due to publicity reasons.
The investigation also uncovered emails from Spanier, which indicated that he potentially played a role in deciding not to report Sandusky for the 2001 incident. He was ultimately relieved of his duties as president six days after Sandusky was charged with child abuse.