Very few things will tarnish a name more than an sex offender conviction, especially when the crime is molesting young children. As former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky’s family continues to put their lives together after their patriarch’s conviction, at least one member of the family is looking to heavily distance himself from the scandal.
According to an Associated Press report, Matt Sandusky, the adopted son of Jerry Sandusky, this week filed court papers attempting to change his name. Though the papers are sealed, they list Matt, his wife, and their four children as those filing for the name change.
Jerry Sandusky was convicted in June 2012 of molesting young boys involved in a nonprofit organization that Sandusky had founded, ostensibly to help underprivileged children in Pennsylvania. The scandal rocked the Penn State community, and even long-time Penn State football coach Joe Paterno was implicated in covering up Sandusky’s actions. Sandusky was convicted on 45 counts, including multiple counts of indecent assault, unlawful contact with minors, corruption of minors, and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. The 68-year-old was sentenced to 60 years in prison, with his first parole hearing coming in 30 years.
It was revealed after the trial that Matt Sandusky was one of his father’s accusers during the trial. Matt claims that his adopted father sexually abused him as a teenager, though his mother, Dottie Sandusky, has accused him of stealing and lying.
(via Associated Press)