Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky sexually abused a boy more than 100 times, then threatened to harm his family to keep him quiet, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday that details new accusations not included in criminal charges against Sandusky.
The lawsuit is the first in the Penn State child sex-abuse scandal and identifies the plaintiff, now 29 years old, only as John Doe. It claims Sandusky abused the boy from 1992 to 1996 at the coach's State College home, in a Penn State locker room, on trips to Philadelphia and at a college football bowl game.
The alleged victim claims that his "unwanted" contact with Sandusky began when he was 10 years old.
"I am the man in this lawsuit," the unidentified victim said in a statement released by his St. Paul, Minn., attorney, Jeffrey Anderson. "I'm writing this statement and taking this action because I don't want other kids to be hurt and abused by Jerry Sandusky or anybody… to allow people like him to do it, rape kids!
"I never told anybody what he did to me over 100 times at all kinds of places until the newspapers reported that he had abused other kids and the people at Penn State and The Second Mile (the charity for at-risk children founded by Sandusky) didn't do the things they should have to protect me and the other kids."
The victim said he had been "hurting for a long time because of what happened" and now feels "even more tormented that I have learned of so many other kids were abused after me. "
The lawsuit names Sandusky, Penn State University and The Second Mile as defendants in a 27-page claim, which seeks at least $400,000 in damages, alleges abuse by Sandusky, negligence and that the three defendants conspired to "endanger children."
The man was not among the eight victims mentioned in a grand jury report. He filed a new complaint Tuesday with law enforcement, but his attorney wouldn't say to which agency.
nderson said he believes Sandusky could not control his sexual impulses toward children and harshly criticized officials who failed to report their suspicions.
"We need to address the institutional recklessness and failures," said Anderson, who specializes in clergy sex-abuse lawsuits. "Was it because of power, money, fear, loyalty, lack of education?"
Sandusky's attorney, Joseph Amendola, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Sandusky has acknowledged that he showered with boys but has denied molesting them.
Penn State spokeswoman Lisa Powers said that the university had not yet received the court documents.
"As with any litigation, we are unable to comment on specifics related to the case,'' Powers said.
The charity said it will respond after reviewing the lawsuit, but added: "The Second Mile will adhere to its legal responsibilities throughout this process. As always, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families."
The man who filed the lawsuit said Sandusky gave him gifts, travel and privileges after meeting him through his charity, The Second Mile, in 1992. The abuse began shortly after and lasted until 1996, the suit said.
Sandusky was charged in early November with abusing eight boys, some on campus, over 15 years, allegations that were not immediately brought to the attention of authorities even though high-level people at Penn State apparently knew about at least one of them.
The scandal has resulted in the departures of school President Graham Spanier and longtime coach Joe Paterno. Athletic Director Tim Curley has been placed on administrative leave, and Vice President Gary Schultz, who was in charge of the university's police department, has stepped down.
Schultz and Curley are charged with lying to the grand jury and failure to report to police, and Sandusky is charged with child sex abuse. All maintain their innocence.
www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bigten/story/2011-11-30/penn-state-jerry-sandusky-accuser-lawsuit/51499222/1