FORMER PENN STATE PRESIDENT RELEASED ON $125,000 BAIL

Former Penn State president Graham Spanier was arraigned and released on $125,000 bail on charges he lied about and concealed child sex abuse claims involving ex-assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

Afterward, defense lawyer Elizabeth Ainslie told reporters her client is “not guilty, absolutely” and disputed prosecutors’ claims that Spanier conspired with university athletic director Tim Curley and vice president Gary Schultz. “This wasn’t a conspiracy of silence,” she said, echoing the charge made last week by state Attorney General Linda Kelly. “That is ridiculous.”

Spanier, 64, was charged last week with perjury, obstruction, endangering the welfare of children, failure to properly report suspected abuse and conspiracy. Spanier has claimed he is being framed for political purposes.