The U.S. Department of Education announced Thursday it will fine Penn State $2.4 million for its failure to notify authorities about former football coach Jerry Sandusky’s serial child sex abuse, reported Philly.com.
The federal agency levied its largest fine ever after concluding in a 239-page final report that the university failed to disclose reported criminal conduct on its campus, as required under federal law.
“We have just received the report today and are in the process of conducting a thorough review so that we may better understand its findings,” said the university in a statement. “While regrettably we cannot change the past, today the university has been recognized for significantly strengthening our programs since 2011.”
The fine came a week after a judge ordered that the university pay $7.3 million to former assistant football coach Mike McQueary for destroying his personal and professional reputation after he accused Penn State officials of hiding the abuse, some of which he witnessed.
A handful of former Penn State officials, including the university’s one-time president, still face charges related to child endangerment and the failure to report criminal child sexual abuse.
