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Pennsylvania

Passion, pain reignited over new Penn State abuse claims

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    FILE - In this Aug. 6, 1999, file photo, Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno, right, poses with his defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky during Penn State Media Day at State College, Pa. Joe Paterno's son said Friday, May 6, 2016, that an allegation made by insurers that a boy told the longtime Penn State University football coach in 1976 that he had been molested by former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky is "bunk." In a tweet , Scott Paterno wrote that "it would be great if everyone waited to see the substance of the allegation before they assume it's true. Because it's not." (AP Photo/Paul Vathis, File) (The Associated Press)

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    FILE - In this Nov. 8, 2011 file photo, Scott Paterno, left, looks on as students greet his father Penn State football coach Joe Paterno as he arrives at his home in State College, Pa. Scott Paterno said in a tweet sent May 6, 2016 that an allegation made by insurers that a boy told the longtime Penn State football coach in 1976 that he had been molested by former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky is “bunk.” (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) (The Associated Press)

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    FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2005, file photo, Penn State head coach Joe Paterno, center, is congratulated by fans as he runs off the field after upseting Ohio State, 17-10, in State College, Pa. Joe Paterno's son said Friday, May 6, 2016, that an allegation made by insurers that a boy told the longtime Penn State University football coach in 1976 that he had been molested by former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky is "bunk." In a tweet , Scott Paterno wrote that "it would be great if everyone waited to see the substance of the allegation before they assume it's true. Because it's not." (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) (The Associated Press)

PHILADELPHIA – The pain and passion over the Penn State sexual abuse scandal have reignited with new allegations that Joe Paterno had heard that Jerry Sandusky sexually abused a child as early as 1976 and two assistant coaches witnessed the abuse of other children.

The allegations were revealed in an order this week by a Philadelphia judge in litigation between an insurance company and Penn State.

The insurers say a boy told the longtime Penn State football coach in 1976 that he had been molested by Sandusky. Pennlive.com reports the order also cites reports by unnamed assistant coaches who said they witnessed inappropriate contact between Sandusky and children.

Sue Paterno said her husband's family had no knowledge of new claims and it's time to stop the "endless process of character assassination."

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