BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) — Jerry Sandusky professed his innocence and vowed to continue fighting his child molestation conviction in a recorded statement broadcast on the eve of his sentencing hearing by a student-run radio station at Penn State University.
In the three-minute monologue aired Monday night by Penn State Com Radio, the former Penn State assistant football coach said he knows in his heart that he did not do what he called "these alleged disgusting acts" and described himself as the victim of Penn State, investigators, civil attorneys, the media and others.
"They can take away my life, they can make me out as a monster, they can treat me as a monster, but they can't take away my heart," he said. "In my heart, I know I did not do these alleged disgusting acts. My wife has been my only sex partner and that was after marriage."
Sandusky faces sentencing Tuesday that is likely to send him to state prison for the rest of his life. His lawyers said Monday he would address the judge at sentencing.
Defense attorney Karl Rominger at first said he was unaware of the recording, then called The Associated Press back early Tuesday to confirm its authenticity.
In it, Sandusky blames an accuser he does not name for his legal predicament.
"A young man who is dramatic, a veteran accuser, and always sought attention started everything," Sandusky said. "He was joined by a well-orchestrated effort of the media, investigators, the system, Penn State, psychologists, civil attorneys and other accusers. They won. I've wondered what they really won: Attention, financial gain, prestige . will all be temporary."
He also blamed his conviction on 45 counts of child sexual abuse on "speculation and stories."
"We must fight unfairness, inconsistency and dishonesty. People need to be portrayed for who they really are," Sandusky said. "We've not been complainers. When we couldn't have kids, we adopted. When we didn't have time to prepare for a trial, we still gave it our best. We will fight for another chance."
Mike Fliegelman, student general manager of the radio station, said the statement was recorded inside the county jail in Bellefonte, but he referred further questions to the station's faculty general manager, who did not return phone messages late Monday.
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Online:
Sandusky statement:
http://soundcloud.com/producermatthew/jerry-sanduskys-prison
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AP writer Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pa., contributed to this report.