Two Penn State University officials have announced that they will step down pending a criminal investigation into the allegations of sexual abuse and perjury. According to a Penn State spokesman, interim Vice President for Finance and Business Gary Schultz will return to retirement and Athletic Director Tim Curley will be placed on administrative leave while State College police investigate the sex crimes charges against them.

Curley and Schultz have been charged with failure to report alleged sexual abuse against children and perjury, according to court records. The charges were reportedly made in connection with alleged sex crimes against minors that were committed by former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, who has been arrested and charged with alleged sexual abuse against children.

There are not many details about the alleged incident in the press, but it appears that the sex crimes charges against Sandusky are in reference to a 2002 incident involving a youth participant in the Second Mile football program. After Schultz and Curley learned of the alleged sexual encounter, they allegedly failed to report it to the appropriate law enforcement or child protective service state agency, as required by Pennsylvania law.

The Penn State officials have denied that they had knowledge of the alleged sexual offenses being committed in the locker room, and that they are not guilty of the charges filed against them. However, the university will reportedly take several steps to increase safety and security in the wake of the allegations, including an independent review of Penn State's policies and procedures regarding the protection of children.

We will continue to update our blog as this story develops.

Source: Centre Daily Times, "Curley to take leave; Schultz to step down pending resolution of criminal case," Jessica Vanderkolk, Nov. 6, 2011