Former Penn State President Dr. Graham Spanier’s attorneys released a statement responding to former FBI Director Louis Freeh's report on the university's initial response to sexual misconduct allegations against former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

The statement says Spanier had “top secret clearance” for work with the federal government and that clearance was reviewed and re-approved during the Freeh investigation.  The statement also alleges that the Freeh’s report “contains numerous inaccuracies.”  

The Freeh group has “no comment” on Spanier’s statement.

Read the full Spanier statement here:

    July 16, 2012

    TWO INVESTIGATIONS:　 A NEWS RELEASE FROM ATTORNEYS FOR DR. GRAHAM SPANIER

    The Freeh report ignored many important facts, including the conclusions of a far more independent and thorough investigation of Dr. Graham Spanier conducted simultaneously by federal officials responsible for our national security.

    Dr. Spanier has for some time held a top secret security clearance in connection with his work with the federal government. This clearance required a re-review when the Sandusky matter surfaced in November. Federal investigators then conducted a four-month investigation of their own in which they interviewed many of the same individuals the Freeh Group interviewed and other relevant individuals Freeh did not interview.　 At the conclusion of the investigation the government reaffirmed Dr. Spanier’s clearance.　　

    Although Dr. Spanier told Mr. Freeh directly about the federal security investigation and its result, there is no mention of it anywhere in the Freeh report.　

    The Freeh report is not an independent judicial evaluation. Mr. Freeh, no longer a judge, runs a company that was retained by the Board of Trustees of the University. His report contained numerous inaccuracies and reached conclusions that are not supported by the data.　　 Meanwhile, Mr. Freeh unfairly offered up Dr. Spanier and others to those insisting upon a finding of culpability at the highest level of the University. Mr. Freeh’s conclusions are not judicial or law enforcement pronouncements.　

    Dr. Spanier looks forward to the opportunity in the future to set the record straight and as we have previously said, all of our thoughts and prayers remain with the young people who are at the center of this terrible ordeal.　　

    Attorneys for Dr. Graham Spanier　

    ELIZABETH K. AINSLIE

    SCHNADER HARRISON SEGAL & LEWIS LLP　

    PETER F. VAIRA

    VAIRA & RILEY PC