Mike McQueary Files $4 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against Penn State University

Mike McQueary, the polarizing ex assistant football coach at Penn State University filed a civil lawsuit against the university for claims relating to the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case.  McQueary was at the center of arguably the worst scandal in college athletics history as a key witness to Sandusky’s crimes.  According to the University Freeh Report  McQueary reported to school officials on February 9, 2001 that he observed Sandusky showering with a 10-year-old-boy in the school’s locker room and that he saw Sandusky behind the boy with his arms around his waist and the boys hands up against the wall.  Although he claims he never actually saw them having intercourse, he did hear a “skin on skin smacking sound.” McQueary informed then head football coach Joe Paterno of the incident.  10 days later,  he notified head athletic director Tim Curley and school vice president Gary Schultz of  what he saw.  All three officials failed to report any of McQueary’s accounts.  Sandusky has already been charged with 45 counts of sexual abuse and is scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday, October 9. The defamation lawsuit, filed Tuesday at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania seeks $4 million in damages.  He was hired as a full time coach in 2004, and his contract was not renewed when it expired in 2011. McQueary is claiming that he has suffered significant damages as well as loss of earning capacity as a result of his wrongful termination.  McQueary indicates in the suit that he was earning $140,000 a year plus additional benefits and bonuses.  An anticipated 25 year stint under those terms would reach in excess of $4 million, according to court documents. McQueary is also seeking damages for “distress, anguish, humiliation and embarrassment” related to the child abuse scandal.  The suit further argues that  his “employment was terminated in a discriminatory fashion” which was a result of his “cooperation with investigators for the Pennsylvania Attorney General.”  McQueary states that his contract was terminated because of his cooperation with federal investigators.  His suit further claims that as a result he is unable to find employment.  McQueary was never charged for any crimes in the Jerry Sandusky case.