Sen. Pat Toomey (R, Pa.) said the Penn State University sex scandal required serious action, but he regrets the departure of legendary coach Joe Paterno.
Appearing on MSNBC on Thursday, Toomey said the most defenseless were victimized in the alleged attacks on young boys that a former coaching assistant is charged with.
Paterno was fired on Wednesday by the Penn State Board of Trustees.
Former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was indicted for the alleged molestation of eight boys. Many of the alleged attacks happened at a Penn State facility.
Former Pa. Rep. Joe Sestak questioned Paterno’s dismissal on Fox News Live on Thursday. Sestak said anyone involved in harming children should be held accountable, but he said Paterno appeared to have been fired without due process or a full investigation by the university.
Pa. House Speaker Samuel Smith (R-Jefferson County) released a statement today saying protecting our children is the highest obligation of our society.
"The leadership at Penn State failed in this most basic obligation," said Smith.
Politics
Pa. Gov. Tom Corbett has limited his comments on the Penn State developments because the sexual abuse allegations were under investigation during his watch as state Attorney General.
On Wednesday, Corbett was questioned about how it has been handled by Penn State and the governor said he was disappointed in the lack of action. As governor, Corbett has a voting position on the Penn State Board of Trustees.
