UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Two Penn State University officials were arraigned Monday on charges relating to a sex scandal involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.
Athletic Director Tim Curley and Senior Vice President Gary Schultz appeared before a district judge in a 20-minute hearing but did not enter pleas to perjury and failure to report child endangerment charges, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.
The allegations stem from an investigation of Sandusky, 67, who was arraigned Saturday on 40 counts of sex crimes involving underage boys. He is accused of aggravated sexual assault and other offenses involving his alleged contacts with boys he met through a charitable organization he founded while coaching at Penn State.
Schultz and Curley allegedly failed to report at least one Sandusky on-campus assault reported to them by head football Coach Joe Paterno that was relayed to him by a graduate student in 2002.
The board said Schultz and Curley requested to be removed from their posts during legal proceedings.
"The board, along with the entire Penn State family, is shocked and saddened by the allegations involving former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky," Steve Garban, chairman of the board of trustees, said in a statement. "Under no circumstances does the university tolerate behavior that would put children at risk, and we are deeply troubled."
University President Graham Spanier said Senior Associate Athletic Director Mark Sherburne will serve as interim athletic director until Curley's legal situation is resolved.
"The protection of children is of paramount importance," Spanier said. "The university will take a number of actions moving forward to increase the safety and security within our facilities and make everyone aware of the protocols in place for handling these issues."
Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly told reporters Monday Paterno was not considered a target in the investigation, The New York Times reported. Kelly urged any victims to come forward.
Paterno released a statement Sunday in which he said he was disturbed by the allegations, CBS Sports reported.
"If true, the nature and amount of charges made are very shocking to me and all Penn Staters," he said. "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.
"If this is true, we were all fooled, along with scores of professionals trained in such things, and we grieve for the victims and their families. They are in our prayers."
