Pa. judge approves returning bail to Sandusky's wife on same day defense motion was filed

The judge who oversaw the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse case has granted a motion

that was filed by defense attorney Joseph Amendola to have bail returned to Sandusky's wife.

The attorney for the convicted child molester had filed a motion seeking the return of bail and collateral in the case involving the former Penn State assistant football coach.

Amendola, who represented Sandusky during his criminal trial back in June, filed a motion to release bail Oct. 4 at the Centre County Court of Common Pleas.

The filing stated that Sandusky’s wife, Dottie Sandusky, is entitled to the return of $50,000 in cash bail and the $200,000 that represented the Sandusky’s residential property in Centre County, which had been put up as collateral in the case.

Judge John M. Cleland granted the motion the very same day.

Sandusky, 69, is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 9.

The former defensive coordinator for the Penn State Nittany Lions football team was convicted of 45 out of 48 counts of child sex-abuse following a two-week jury trial in June.

The charges related to the sex-abuse of 10 underage boys during a 15-year time period.

Sandusky is expected to spend the rest of his life behind bars for his crimes.

Meanwhile, Sandusky’s attorney said in his filing that because his client’s bail had been revoked by the court following the conclusion of the criminal trial, Dottie Sandusky was entitled to the return of the cash bail that she had posted with the Centre County Prothonotary’s Office, as well as the release of the couple’s residential property.

Amendola stated that Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure 535 allows for the return of the bail in question.

In related news, it is being reported that to date, the university has spent nearly $20 million on costs relating to the Sandusky sex-abuse scandal.

On Oct. 3, The Daily Collegian, Penn State’s student newspaper, reported that through July 31, the costs involving internal investigations, legal services and other expenses have totaled $19,281,848.

That figure was closer to $17 million by June 30, the paper reported.

As for the civil aspect of the case, the university late last month retained the services of high power firm Feinberg Rozen to help facilitate possible settlements of pending litigation that has arisen out of the sex scandal.