Attorneys for former assistant coach Mike McQueary filed a response to Penn State’s preliminary objections to McQueary’s whistleblower, defamation and misrepresentation lawsuit today, stating that Penn State’s preliminary objections are “without legal merit.”
McQueary filed a $4 million civil lawsuit against Penn State at the beginning of October, claiming he was defamed by the university, specifically former university President Graham Spanier, according to court documents.
McQueary also claimed that his reputation and his ability to earn a living as a football coach were damaged as a result of what came to light during the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse case, according to court documents.
McQueary testified at Sandusky’s trial that he saw Sandusky engaging in something of a “sexual nature” with a boy in the Lasch Football Building in 2001. He was placed on administrative leave shortly after Sandusky was charged.
Penn State first filed its challenge to McQueary’s lawsuit Jan. 15 asking the court to dismiss the claims, stating that McQueary’s complaint is “devoid of sufficient facts to support a claim that Spanier or Penn State acted with evil motive or in reckless indifference to the rights of others,” according to court documents.
In the response filed today, McQueary’s attorneys said McQueary’s initial complaint complies with Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
McQueary’s lawyers are requesting a briefing schedule from the court and an “expeditious overruling” of Penn State’s objections, according to court documents.
McQueary and attorneys for Penn State are scheduled to meet for a hearing on March 18 at 11 a.m. in Courtroom 3 at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte.
Sandusky was found guilty on 45 counts of sexual abuse in June and is now serving a 30 to 60 year prison sentence.
Read Monday's edition of The Daily Collegian for more details.
