The latest grand jury presentment in the Jerry Sandusky scandal contains an allegation that Sandusky kept one of his victims in the basement of his home when the victim visited, serving him meals in the basement and also sexually abusing him there. The victim says that at least once, he yelled for help, knowing that Sandusky’s wife Dottie was in the house, but Dottie Sandusky didn’t answer.
Through attorney Joseph Amendola, Dottie Sandusky has issued a denial of this charge, saying that she never ignored any cry for help and that she believes her husband is innocent.
I am also angry about these false accusations that such a terrible incident ever occurred in my home. No child who ever visited our home was ever forced to stay in our basement and fed there. All the kids who visited us ate with us and our kids and other guests when they were at our home. Our children, our extended family and friends know how much Jerry and I love kids and have always tried to help and care for them. We would never do anything to hurt them. I am so sad anyone would make such a terrible accusation which is absolutely untrue. We don’t know why these young men have made these false accusations, but we want everyone to know they are untrue.
Oh boy. Jerry Sandusky’s earlier denials of the charges against him only emboldened his accusers. This “We don’t know why these young men have made these false accusations” isn’t going to help. Either Mrs. Sandusky really believes her husband is innocent, or she’s getting some very bad advice. Given the advice the Sanduskys’ attorney Amendola has given them so far – he was the one staring off into the distance while Jerry Sandusky withered to Bob Costas’ questioning on national TV – it’s hard to tell which.