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Spanier's Defamation Suit Against Freeh Thrown Out

photo: AP

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) — A defamation lawsuit filed by Penn State's former president against former FBI director Louis Freeh has been thrown out.

Freeh called the lawsuit "frivolous and malicious" in a statement issued after the judge's ruling Wednesday.

Graham Spanier sued Freeh over a 2012 report he issued on Penn State's handling of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal.

Senior Judge Robert Eby says lawyers for both sides agree Spanier's March child endangerment conviction bars Spanier from pursuing his civil claims.

Spanier faces two months in jail. He's free on bail while he appeals.

Spanier says he's confident he'll win his appeal. If the appeal is successful, he intends to resume his defamation case against Freeh.

Sandusky was convicted but maintains he's innocent.

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