Paterno widow rips Sandusky scandal report

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STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Feb. 9 (UPI) -- The widow of longtime Penn State football Coach Joe Paterno says an independent study of the scandal that led to his firing was "ill-considered and rash."

Former FBI Director Louis Freeh led an investigation into former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky's molestation of young boys, and the manner in which university officials, including Paterno, responded when they learned of the long-running sexual abuse. Freeh concluded in a report released in July Paterno had failed to address the Sandusky matter aggressively and the university fired Paterno, who had developed the Nittany Lions into one of the nation's top programs during his 44-year tenure.

Sue Paterno said in a letter to former Penn State football players the investigation by Freeh "could not have been more wrong in his assessment of Joe," the Centre Daily Times in State College reported Saturday.

"To claim that this ill-considered and rash process served the victims and the university is a grave error," she said. "Only the truth serves the victims."

The school issued a statement Friday saying it appreciated the work of Sue Paterno on behalf of the school and considered her a valued member of the community.

"We have and continue to appreciate all of her work on behalf of the university," the statement said. "She has touched many lives and continues to be an inspiration to many Penn Staters."

The Paterno family is to release its review of the Freeh report Sunday at Paterno.com, the newspaper said.

Joe Paterno died of cancer months after the scandal broke and Sandusky is in prison after being found guilty.