Philadelphia – It’s a major legal milestone for Penn State and many of the victims of Jerry Sandusky. The first of the group has come to a settlement following Sandusky’s conviction on child abuse charges.
Most of those terms will remain confidential but attorney Tom Kline says the settlement is fair. His client will see a piece of the $60 million Penn State has set aside to make good with nearly 30 victims who have suffered at the hands of a serial predator. He believes that 25 or 26 of the 31 claims will be settled within a week.
“We have for Victim 5, as well as other victims that followed him, finality,” said attorney Tom Kline.
It’s been two years in the making, but the first of over two dozen Jerry Sandusky victims has settled with Penn State.
“That case, that claim, has been signed, sealed and delivered,” Kline said during an interview with FOX43 in his Philadelphia apartment.
Victim 5 testified during the trial that as a 13-year-old boy, he was groped by Jerry Sandusky in the Penn State showers in August of 2001. His assault happened only six months after the Mike McQueary shower incident.
“Victim number 5 is a young man whose assault could and should have been prevented by PSU officials,” Kline said.
Kline represents Victim 5. He says the settlement is fair and adequate. The terms are confidential but it ends a long and heart wrenching part of his clients life.
“He is a young man who has and will have forever in his life in the deep recesses in his mind, the dark moments that happened with Jerry Sandusky,” he said.
Even though the situation has been a nightmare for Victim 5, he still has positive feelings towards Penn State. Growing up in the shadows of Beaver Stadium makes him hope that this settlement will be a huge step towards bringing Penn State back to national prominence.
“We believe that there are lessons learned by Penn State and that Penn State sees them very clearly,” Kline said.
Tom Kline says his client is a normal functioning young man with a close knit family, a girlfriend and a good job. He also plans on being a major part of the possible trial involving Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley, former Vice-President Gary Schultz and former President Graham Spanier. Kline says while his is not excited about having to testify again, he knows it is his civic duty.