Critics who are dogging Tom Corbett for his handling of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal are barking up the wrong tree.
As a public official, Corbett is fair game for criticism, and everything he does can be scrutinized. But when it comes to his actions in the Sandusky case, we don't see where he did anything wrong.
As attorney general at the time the scandal began to unfold, Corbett initiated a grand jury investigation into reports that Sandusky had sexually abused boys.
It is important to remember that at the time Sandusky was a widely popular and respected figure for his work with The Second Mile and as a former Penn State defensive coach. Building a case would persuade the public and a jury that Sandusky was guilty would take a lot of work.
Having not one but multiple victims created a more believable and a stronger case.
Probably everyone wishes the process could have moved faster, but tracking down possible victims and getting them to talk takes time. The victims said during Sandusky's trial in June that it was difficult for the victims to testify even then about their abuse.
Imagine the work that had to be done when they were first approached by investigators.
Then investigators had to follow up on leads and examine other material in an attempt to prove the veracity of the claims. It's a process that couldn't be rushed, and those working on the investigation also had other cases to pursue.
By carefully pulling things together and questioning numerous people, investigators headed by Randy Feathers, regional director of the attorney general's State College office, and agent Anthony Sassano built a compelling case - as evidenced by Sandusky's conviction on 45 charges.
Corbett maintained his silence about the investigation even after he became governor, as he should have done.
Some believe that Corbett should have tipped off others on the Penn State Board of Trustees about Sandusky before his arrest. That would have been inappropriate, not to mention illegal. As governor, Corbett is a member of the trustees, but he had a legal and ethical obligations to remain silent and allow the case to proceed.
Corbett balanced his conflicting roles in the right way. We commend him.
Imagine the criticism that Corbett would have come under - rightfully so - if he had leaked to other trustees about the Sandusky case and potentially endangered the prosecution. That truly would have been a serious offense to the public - not to mention to Sandusky's victims.
It may have also put the entire case in jeopardy.
Corbett met his legal, ethical and moral obligations, and the convictions and sentence that are expected to keep Sandusky behind bars for the rest of his life is a testament to that.
This is one area in which Corbett shouldn't be hounded.
