It has now been widely reported that during H. Geoffery Moulton's investigation of the Corbett OAG's handling of the Sandusky investigation, sexually explicit emails were found being sent among OAG staffers. While these emails have now been inexplicably put under seal by a grand jury judge, the Corbett administration has now made comments about them and they are telling. The first statement by Corbett campaign manager Mike Barley initially denied that Corbett had any knowledge of the emails. However since that time the administration has backtracked.
In a second statement to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Barley was forced to clarify that statement. Indeed, Barley stated, Corbett had been informed of the emails no later than the date of his interview with Mr. Moulton.
"To clarify, the governor did not have any discussions with Mr. Moulton during the official interview regarding this matter, after that interview concluded, Mr. Moulton told the governor that emails were uncovered during the investigation that may have been inappropriate."
This immediately brings up the question of what was done by the Governor when he was informed of these emails? Has his administration questioned any people? Have they reprimanded or punished anyone involved? Have they done anything? What type of material is there? Does any of it include the depiction of underage children? These are all valid and reasonable questions, especially in light of Governor Corbett's statements and actions after the release of the Sandusky indictment.
You may recall that Cynthia Baldwin stated on the record that Governor Corbett was more involved with his role on the PSU board than any other time as the Sandusky investigation came to a head. In fact the first board meeting he attended was the one during which Joe Paterno was fired. His staff had booked rooms in town eight days prior to the presentments release. Then during that board meeting on the evening of November 9th Corbett said:
"Remember that little boy in the shower" - Tom Corbett
By all accounts this was the last thing said before the 'vote' to fire Joe Paterno. Now if you recall Coach Paterno had stated multiple times that at no time were any specific details related to him about what Mike McQueary saw on the night of February 9th, 2001. In fact his Grand Jury testimony said:
"So I told — I didn’t go any further than that except I knew Mike was upset and I knew some kind of inappropriate action was being taken by Jerry Sandusky with a youngster." - Joe Paterno
So Joe Paterno was told of something inappropriate and immediately reported it to his superiors who he felt would handle the follow up, per PA law and PSU policy. Under that law and policy it would be inappropriate and in some way illegal for Paterno to further engage the investigation.
Flash forward to Barley 'clarifying' Governor Corbett's knowledge of the sexually explicit emails that were discovered in the Moulton investigation. Here is further comment by Barley:
"To be clear, the governor had no knowledge of these alleged emails while he was attorney general, nor has he ever seen them. (If) he would have known about any inappropriate emails being sent, he would have put a stop to that type of activity immediately, he would never condone that type of behavior, and if these reports are true, he will be very disappointed.”
This is essentially exactly the same reasoning Joe Paterno used. He was unaware of specific details about the allegation, reported it up the line, was never told Sandusky was abusing the boy, and would have definitely done more had he known that was the case. Yet in very similar circumstances what has Governor Corbett done in the months since? At this point we know of nothing. One thing is certain, when a politician backtracks like this on a 'denial' you can be sure there is more underneath that we don't know. That is why it is so disturbing that the emails have been put under seal.
To that all I have to say is this: Governor Corbett, remember the culture you allowed in your office.
