Ray Blehar: Analysis Concludes Freeh Report Provides No Basis For NCAA Sanctions Against Penn State

Ray Blehar Exposes That Only 12 Percent of Freeh Investigation's Findings Hold Water

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Experts engaged by the Paterno family recently concluded that the Freeh Report was full of assumptions, short on evidence, and a complete failure in identifying the methods of "nice guy-pillar of the community" pedophiles.  A new report released today by analyst Ray Blehar not only confirms those experts' assessments, but adds substantial detail that negates nearly all findings within the report that were used to support the NCAA sanctions levied against Penn State last summer.

In the most detailed analysis of the Freeh Report to date, Blehar exposes more than 20 critical errors and omissions that would have left Mr. Freeh speechless at his press conference, had his work been subjected to prior review.

"Had the Penn State Board of Trustees or its legal team reviewed Freeh's work prior to publication, they would have stricken nearly every finding he discussed at the press conference," suggests Blehar. "Furthermore, with the benefit of more than six months to review the report, I remain perplexed that the Trustees continue to stand by it."

Blehar's independent report analyzes each of the 50 key Freeh findings upon which the NCAA based its sanctions.  Referencing relevant federal and state laws, evidence, and Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS), the analysis revealed:

• Six findings substantiated or partially substantiated;
• 26 findings unsubstantiated; and,
• 18 findings do not meet the GAGAS criteria for a finding.

"When Chapters 2, 4, 7, 8, and 9 were evaluated, the only findings the Freeh Report substantiated were a few pertaining to the Clery Act and to Penn State's performance of criminal background checks – and I had to relax the standards to accept those findings," explained Blehar. 

The report also reveals that Freeh's team failed to perform basic investigative procedures, such as constructing timelines for various incidents, evaluating the crime scene, and performing checks of phone records.  In addition, Blehar found the Freeh Report to contain blatant untruths.  Blehar's research revealed that Freeh misstated the crimes (based on trial verdicts), incorrectly recounted trial testimony, and ignored exculpatory evidence contained within its report. 

"Had any investigator submitted a report of such poor quality to a competent authority, it would have been flatly rejected and returned for further investigation and rework," Blehar surmised.

Following his thorough analysis, Blehar recommends in his report that the NCAA sanctions be repealed and an independent commission formed to evaluate all aspects of the Sandusky scandal, including the investigation conducted to review the interactions between Freeh, Sporkin, and Sullivan, the NCAA, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

"With all of the trouble the NCAA is facing over its botched investigation of the University of Miami, I believe an independent commission -- or an expansion of the scope of Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane's investigation – is a good option for investigating the full spectrum of the Sandusky scandal and everyone's role in it," Blehar concluded.

Ray Blehar has 27 years of experience as an analyst and investigator.  Blehar has served on the Board of Examiners for the U.S. Senate Productivity and Maryland Quality Awards program.  In this role, he examined the most important aspects of organizational governance, including legal and ethical responsibilities, strategic planning, customer relationship management, operations management, human resource management, and business performance.  Blehar holds certifications as a Quality Improvement Associate with the American Society of Quality and as a team facilitator through the Army Management and Engineering College.  He is currently employed as a senior requirements analyst in Washington, DC.

Blehar's full report, the second in a series on the Sandusky Scandal, can be accessed at:
http://emf.intherough.net/Sandusky-Rpt-2-Full-Report-NCAA-Sanctions.pdf

The summary report can be accessed at:
http://emf.intherough.net/Sandusky-Rpt-2-Summary-NCAA-Sanctions.pdf

SOURCE Ray Blehar