By Tribune-Review

Published: Thursday, November 1, 2012, 2:32 p.m.
Updated: Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.

— Sir Walter Scott

“Marmion” (1808)

And, oh, how several former high-ranking and powerful Penn State officials likely now wish they first would have considered that axiom before allegedly engaging in the massive cover-up of Jerry Sandusky's sick and repeated perversions.

The Penn State sexual molestation scandal exploded yet again on Thursday. State Attorney General Linda Kelly announced five felony and three misdemeanor charges against fired university president Graham Spanier, including perjury, conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

Additional charges of obstruction of justice and child endangerment were lodged against Athletic Director Tim Curley, officially “on leave” but soon to be severed from Penn State, and Gary Schultz, the former senior vice president for business and finance, who retired in the scandal's aftermath. They previously were charged with perjury and failing to report suspected child abuse.

All have professed their innocence.

Ms. Kelly called the alleged actions of Messrs. Spanier, Curley and Schultz “a conspiracy of silence.” And it is a conspiracy that has grown into a giant pit that threatens to bury Penn State, dug by a silence that proved to be the wisdom of fools.

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