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Court Documents: Paterno Was Told Of Sandusky Abuse In 1976

Sandusky and Paterno
Paul Vathis
/
AP Photo

A man who claims Jerry Sandusky sexually abused him in 1976 says in newly unsealed court documents that he told Penn State football Coach Joe Paterno about the incident the very next day, and Paterno responded callously.

The man identified as John Doe 150 testified in October 2014 that about six other boys in a shower heard him yell that Sandusky had sexually penetrated him with a finger.

A judge unsealed extensive records Tuesday from Penn State's insurance litigation over coverage of Sandusky-related claims.

John Doe 150 says he told several adults about the incident, then sought out Paterno to tell him what occurred.

He says Paterno's response was that he didn't want to hear about it and had a football season to worry about.

Paterno said before his death in 2012 that the first inkling he had that Sandusky might be abusing children was in 2001.

A lawyer for Paterno's family claims there's evidence that "stands in stark contrast" to the man's story.

Penn State president Eric Barron released a statement Tuesday morning about the release of the documents. 

"Although settlements have been reached," Barron wrote, "it also is important to reiterate that the alleged knowledge of former Penn State employees is not proven, and should be treated as such. Some individuals deny the claims, and others are unable to defend themselves." 

He said the university did not plan to comment and that its concern continued to be for Sandusky's victims.