Sandusky hires private investigator

STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State assistant football coach accused of sexually molesting boys, is conducting his own investigation, his attorney said.

Attorney Joe Amendola said his client, free on $100,000 bail after being arrested on 40 counts related to the alleged sexual abuse of eight boys, has hired a private investigator to prove his innocence, CNN reported Tuesday.

The former Nittany Lions defensive coordinator said earlier in November during an interview with NBC he was falsely accused, saying that he only "horsed around" with boys in showers after workouts at the State College school.

Meanwhile, the person identified as "Victim 1" in court documents has retained counsel to represent him and his mother, the attorneys said Monday in a release.

"We will protect their interests as they assist the prosecution in the criminal proceeding; we will deflect attention away from them," the attorneys said, "and, when the time is right, we will represent them in a civil action against Sandusky and others."

Former Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley and the school's ex-vice president for finance and business, Gary Schultz each was charged with felony perjury and failure to report abuse allegations, CNN reported. A preliminary court hearing is Dec. 16 in Harrisburg.

Penn State announced it formed a search committee to find a permanent successor to longtime coach Joe Paterno, who was let go because of the Sandusky case, the university's student newspaper, Centre Daily Times, reported. Acting Athletic Director David Joyner will lead the committee, the university said.

Meanwhile, the charity Sandusky founded -- and through which he met several of his alleged victims -- urged supporters to contribute to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, CNN reported.

In a statement, The Second Mile said, "We are determined to do all we can to help the survivors with the healing process."