Education Secretary Angered By Penn State Scandal

U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Tuesday morning that he was “extraordinarily angry” over the sex abuse scandal involving former Penn State University football coach Jerry Sandusky.

Duncan told a Washington Times radio affiliate this morning that his department has a “legal obligation” to investigate whether school officials attempted to cover up alleged sex crimes committed by Sandusky over the last several years.

Sandusky, who retired from his position as defensive coordinator of the football team in 1999, was arrested ten days ago and charged with 40 counts relating to sexual abuse of minors, after being indicted by a grand jury. The allegations have rocked Penn State and have led to the ousting of the school’s president as well as Sandusky’s former boss, legendary head coach Joe Paterno. An assistant coach who told the grand jury that he witnessed Sandusky raping a young boy nine years ago in a school shower facility has been placed on administrative leave.

As was previously reported on this site, DOE will be looking into whether school officials violated the Clery Act, a 1990 law that requires all state colleges and universities to go public with reported crimes that occur on campus.

“If [Penn State] was not forthcoming with criminal activity, there will be a price to pay,” Duncan said.