I have read various accounts of Freeh’s tenure at the FBI and they were almost surreal in the level of incompetence they described. This is probably the best way to ensure that not many people at PSU get prosecuted get exposed for their negligence. Bieber knows Freeh has swept bigger screw-ups under the rug before.
Former FBI Director Louis J. Freeh was named today to lead Pennsylvania State University’s investigation of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal.
Brachiator
How PSU investigates itself is secondary to the investigation of law enforcement agencies. Freeh’s appointment might be PR, window dressing, with perhaps (sadly) more attempts at cover up.
BGinCHI
I’m with Brachiator. I don’t care what World B. Freeh’s dog et pony show puts together.
Let’s see what the fuzz does. They are gonna start digging, and they are gonna find stuff.
And then the lawyers are going to start filing.
Culture of Truth
Freeh is a devout Catholic. So, being religious and all, you know how he hates child sex abuse and covering it up.
SectarianSofa
Hmm. No Catholic bishops available? Former boy scout leaders?
BGinCHI
@Culture of Truth: This is not going to play well in Lowell.
At least not with the Joes.
Judas Escargot
Cardinal Law resigned his post at the Vatican not too long ago: I’m surprised they didn’t choose him.
SiubhanDuinne
Another fine thread title, DougJ.
cat
DougJ is probably right, Freeh’s investigation and credentials, even though they are unearned, will give the local police force an out by letting him take the lead.
Remember the local LEO dropped the ball on this once before.
ploeg
@Brachiator:
‘Cause you know that, if Penn State hears anything, they’re going straight to the cops with it.
Culture of Truth
Nobody expects the Louis Freeh inquisition
Brachiator
@ploeg:
I presume that cops, DAs and the attorney general can do their own investigation, and are not sitting back waiting for Freeh to fill them in. I also presume that many of the alleged victims have attorneys.
There is a lot of focusing on Penn State. The case against Sandusky is the main thing, for now.
But who knows how this sad case will play out.
Bullsmith
So they’re committed to the highest level of cover-up possible, then.
Mark K.
Robert Hannsen, like Louis Freeh a member of Opus Dei, went about spying for the Russians for years and years while working at the FBI. Always wonder if the FBI not suspecting Hannsen was because he was Freehs buddy.
Why do we let these fascist weirdos at Opus Dei anywhere near our government? Much less the frickin’ Supreme Court.
This should go over about as well as the Kissinger nomination by Bush Jr.
Waldo
Where’s Ken frickin’ Starr when you really need him?
General Stuck
Freeh is a neo fascist that Bill Clinton was insane for tolerating. He is a thug Hooverite of the first order, and with a distinct right wing political agenda. I don’t know how those qualities will serve him in a good ole boy network of a child molester and those that covered for him, but I wouldn’t let the shitstain investigate the time of fucking day.
JWL
Imagine if the same scandal and subsequent revelations had occurred at a small, non-football factory college. That college’s football program would have been abolished two weeks ago. No one would have squawked, either, because the decision would have been deemed fitting and proper.
The same scenario would have played out at Penn State, if the university was serious about rehabilitating its reputation. But it’s not. As the song and dance man once noted, “money doesn’t talk, it swears”.
Chris
@Mark K.:
Mark:
One of the few things I know about Freeh is that during his tenure at the FBI, the Bureau was more or less put in charge of the Aldrich Ames investigation (the CIA was considered too compromised to be trusted to clean itself up). Freeh more or less gave his men free rein to settle decades of FBI/CIA scores under cover of “investigating”… but best of all, all the information his men got out of the Agency, Hanssen got to see and pass on to the Russians. How do you like them apples?
DJ Poopypants
Louis Freeh – name rings a bell…
Oh yeah – he was chosen to lead the investigation into allegations of FIFA corruption and bribery a few months ago. That’s FIFA – a global organization with an income stream so large it makes the NFL look like a 99%er homeless person.
An organization with financial transparency practices as rigorous as the most esteemed Swiss banks – in a sport that has never ever been touched by corruption allegations on its officials, or allegations of betting scandals or teams throwing games in front of a worldwide audience.
A person who wouldn’t allow traceable computer systems in the FBI?
I have full and total confidence in his investigation. Too bad Captain Louis Renault from Casablanca is no longer available….
Don
When I saw this news I thought “they must have videotapes that need destroying.”
Mark K.
General Stuck: agree! so stupid.
Chris: thanks. gross incompetence. yet here is IOKIYR again.
Admiral_Komack
I guess Chief Inspector Jacques Clouseau was busy.
William Hurley
The right’s bench of skilled apologists, whitewashers and intentional incompetents (e.g.: “Brownie” of NOLA infamy) is deep. Freeh’s just one of them.
I hope the attorneys representing the victims of Sandusky/Paterno/PSU challenge the appointment in court. I’d put even money on there being a DIck Thornberg connection between PSU, Patero/Sandusky and Corbett.