Emails show Freeh investigators congratulated Sandusky prosecutors

A series of emails that were exchanged between Pennsylvania prosecutors assigned to the Jerry Sandusky case and members of the Louis Freeh Group are raising new questions.

Penn State commissioned the former FBI-leader’s group to look into the handling of the Sandusky child sex abuse scandal in November 2011. 

The group was charged, among other things, with finding out if university administrators knew about Sandusky’s abuses. 

The group interviewed key people who were involved, and had virtually unrestricted access to university documents.

According to emails obtained by 6 News, members of the Freeh Group were in communication with prosecutors and investigators with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office during this time.  

Gregory Paw, a legal consultant to Louis Freeh’s firm, congratulated prosecutor Frank Fina the night Sandusky was convicted. 

“I am proud of you and the entire prosecution team,” Paw wrote. “Very well done.” 

“Thank you for all the help and support,” Fina wrote back the next day. 

The emails do not specify what kind of help and support was offered. In July 2012, Louis Freeh released the findings of his investigation. 

He determined that top administrators Graham Spanier, Tim Curley and Gary Schultz knew about Sandusky’s abuses. Freeh said they covered it up to avoid bad publicity.

Freeh’s investigation also suggested former football coach Joe Paterno was made aware of the abuse, but didn’t act beyond alerting his superior.

Shortly after Freeh’s findings were announced, prosecutor Fina sent an email to Paw.

“Greg – Truly great work,” he wrote. “Please extend my congratulations to your team.”

“Frank – this note really means a lot to me,” Paw responded. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for you and your work, and it was my pleasure to have an opportunity to work with you on this matter.”