Penn State picked Sandusky investigator from Corbett administration’s list

May 21, 2015

Leaders of the Penn State task force that oversaw the university’s Sandusky investigation chose their investigative firm exclusively from a list compiled by the Corbett administration, according to an e-mail released by the education department. Despite offers of help from numerous law firms, trustees Ken Frazier and Ron Tomalis only considered three former prosecutors that … […]

Corbett administration files second suit to conceal e-mails between Ron Tomalis, Penn State and governor’s aides

September 15, 2014

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Corbett administration on Friday asked a state appellate court to halt the release of hundreds of pages of e-mails sent between former secretary of education Ron Tomalis, Penn State officials and top aides to the governor. The 644 pages of public records in the hands of the Department of Education were … […]

Emails show discussions between Freeh, prosecutors were routine

May 28, 2014

The Pennsylvania Attorney General yesterday refused to release a series of e-mails between state prosecutors and investigators working for Louis J. Freeh. Discussions about investigative reports, seized evidence, and even “timesheets” won’t be disclosed because they’re exempt from access under the Right-to-Know Law,  wrote Senior Executive Deputy Attorney General Linda Dale Hoffa, in a six-page opinion. … […]

Join us for a Sunshine Fund tailgate

April 7, 2014

When: Saturday, April 12, 2014, 8 a.m. ’til close Where: a parking lot to be determined. Join us for a special event to thank supporters of the Sunshine Fund before the 2014 Blue and White Game. Enjoy some snacks and beverages on us. Flip through a binder full of the records we’ve obtained. Be a Sunshine Fund … […]

Sunshine Fund update

March 9, 2014

There’s a lot of activity going on behind the scenes as our legal cases slowly march through the court system. We’re still months away from any sort of resolution, but I hope to have some good news to tell you in about a week. Meanwhile, here’s a quick update on what’s been going on. Attorney … […]

Penn State moves to block two information requests

February 17, 2014

State College, Pa. – Penn State university filed papers in two appeals last week to prevent the state Department of Education from releasing university records. In one case, the university wants to conceal about 700 pages of correspondence between the Secretary of Education, trustee Ken Frazier, investigators for Louis J. Freeh and other PSU attorneys. In the other, … […]

“Thank you for caring”

February 14, 2014

A significant number of contributors to the Penn State Sunshine Fund donate by check, and occasionally they enclose a letter with their contribution. I wanted to share this heartfelt letter that arrived in the mail yesterday:     Dear Mr. Bagwell, Thank you for caring. Thank you for your personal sacrifice. Thank you for your … […]

Sunshine Fund update

February 7, 2014

Ryan Bagwell, founder of the Penn State Sunshine Fund, provided the following update to contributors yesterday. Bagwell v. Dept. of Education I As you may know, this is the landmark case that re-established our right to obtain records from ex-officio trustees like the Secretary of Education and the Governor of Pennsylvania. After the Commonwealth Court’s … […]

Sunshine Fund Update

January 20, 2014

Ryan Bagwell, founder of the Penn State Sunshine Fund, provided the following update to contributors yesterday. Last week, something unexpected happened – Tom Corbett’s office released 88 pages of documents. The records show, among other things, how the Corbett administration tried to shape a key board statement about why it fired Joe Paterno and Graham Spanier. … […]

Sunshine Fund Update

December 31, 2013

Ryan Bagwell, founder of the Penn State Sunshine Fund, provided the following update to contributors yesterday. Suit filed against the Philadelphia District Attorney As you may know, the Office of Open Records ordered the Philadelphia District Attorney in November to release correspondence with several individuals associated with the Sandusky investigation. The DA has not released … […]