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	Second Mile Donors Say Charity Misled Them on Sandusky Probe The Chronicle of Philanthropy November 18, 2011 http://philanthropy.com/blogs/philanthropytoday/second-mile-donors-say-charity-misled-them-on-sandusky-probe/42254 Contributors to the Second Mile say that in recent months the youth charity told them rumors of a sexual-abuse probe swirling around its founder, former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, were unfounded, according to Fox News and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Both news outlets cited four donors who said had they approached the organization in the spring after local media reported that a grand jury was looking into allegations against Mr. Sandusky, who was charged earlier this month with molesting at least eight boys he had met through the Second Mile. “We specifically asked the Second Mile whether there was a grand-jury investigation,” said Tracy Bell of Family Clothesline, a Penn State souvenir shop that gave the charity $50,000 last year. “They said it was just gossip and rumors. They asked us to make another pledge.” The charity has said Mr. Sandusky informed Second Mile officials in 2008 that he was the subject of an abuse allegation and agreed to stop working with children. By early 2010, the organization’s records had reportedly been subpoenaed by the grand jury. Several prominent sports and entertainment figures were listed on the Second Mile’s Web site as honorary board members without their knowledge, according to ABC News. Actor Mark Wahlberg, Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., and ESPN football analyst Lou Holtz are among the celebrities who said they had only passing acquaintance with the charity for at-risk youths and were unaware their names had been linked to it.
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