Penn State trustee resigns from post

PENN STATE (AP) -- Steve Garban, the former chairman of the Penn State board of trustees, has resigned from his post because his presence on the board became "a distraction and an impediment" to its efforts to move forward from the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

The former trustee said in a letter Thursday, July 19th it was his respect for the school that he is stepping aside immediately.

Garban faced harsh criticism over how he handled the crisis that engulfed Penn State after former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky's arrest in November. Fellow alumni and board members called persistently for Garban to step down.

According to a recent report released by Louis Freeh, a former FBI director, Garban was briefed twice about developments relating to the Sandusky case but didn't share them with the board. The trustees had no way of preparing for the turmoil of the Sandusky arrest.

Sandusky was convicted last month of sexually abusing 10 boys, sometimes at campus facilities. He maintains his innocence while awaiting sentencing.

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