STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania — Penn State's costs for legal fees, consultants and other services connected to the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal have topped $44.4 million, the university's latest bill shows.
That total was through the end of February, according to a university website this week. It's up about $1.5 million from the previous bill released through the end of January.
One of the biggest increases came in the category of university legal services and defense. The $9.2 million tab in that category was up about $800,000 from the previous month.
That bill covers attorneys representing firms in criminal proceedings connected to the scandal, as well as a firm handling settlement negotiations with accusers of retired assistant football coach Sandusky.
There's typically a 45-day lag time before the university's monthly bills are finalized.
Sandusky, a former assistant football coach, is serving a prison term for 45 counts of child sexual abuse involving 10 boys. He maintains his innocence.
University insurance policies should reimburse some of the fees and costs, but Penn State has said it won't dip into tuition dollars, state appropriations or donations.
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