By Debra Erdley

Published: Wednesday, November 21, 2012, 10:42 p.m.
Updated: Thursday, November 22, 2012

Former Penn State President Graham Spanier is off the university payroll after collecting $1.3 million in the year since his ouster over his handling of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal.

Penn State spokesman David LaTorre said Spanier, whom authorities this month charged with covering up allegations against Sandusky, continued to collect his pay during a yearlong teaching sabbatical following his removal from the president's office last fall.

“Dr. Spanier was entitled under his employment agreement to receive his presidential salary of $700,000 during his one-year sabbatical period, which end(ed) on November 9, 2012. After that, his employment agreement provided that he be paid $600,000,” LaTorre said in an emailed statement.

“He is not getting any additional income from the university,” LaTorre said.

Spanier, 64, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. He has maintained his innocence of all charges,

He remains free on $125,000 unsecured bond, pending a preliminary hearing.

Spanier headed the land grant university for 16 years. He was in the first year of a five-year contract when trustees forced his resignation.

Sandusky, a retired assistant Penn State football coach, is serving 30 to 60 years in prison on his conviction for abusing 10 boys in and around Penn State facilities over a 15-year period.

Officials previously declined to release Spanier's separation agreement, saying the terms were confidential.

According to university financial disclosure reports for the year ending June 30, 2011, Spanier's total compensation package prior to his ouster, which included housing in the school's presidential mansion and unspecified benefits, was $937,955.

University officials said Spanier remains a tenured professor, although the school placed him on leave following his arrest. LaTorre said Spanier is not permitted to perform any university duties, teach or to use an office on campus.

The school continues to pay Spanier's legal costs as well as those of former athletic director Tim Curley and retired vice president Gary Schultz. The men, who also maintain their innocence, were charged with Spanier in what authorities called a long-standing “conspiracy of silence” to hide early allegations against Sandusky.

Debra Erdley is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-320-7996 or derdley@tribweb.com.

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