Ex-Philly D.A. Abraham once again investigating a sex-abuse scandal

FORMER PHILLY District Attorney Lynne Abraham, a self-described "staunch defender" of children's rights, has been retained by the board of the Second Mile to lead an internal investigation of the beleaguered charity now at the center of the Penn State sex-abuse scandal.

The announcement was made concurrently with news that the Second Mile's president and chief executive, Jack Raykovitz, had resigned. He did not offer a reason.

Jerry Sandusky, a former defensive coordinator for Penn State who has been charged with sexually abusing eight boys, founded the charity in 1977 and was associated with it until 2008. He purportedly met his alleged victims through the nonprofit.

The conclusions of the Abraham-led investigation may unravel the 34-year-old organization.

"We don't know at this point whether this organization can be saved," Abraham said during a news conference at the Center City law offices of Archer & Greiner, where she is a partner.

Abraham, who was D.A. when sexual-abuse allegations and cover-ups surfaced against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, said the two situations had similarities but she stopped short of comparing them.

"We need to find out how deep this went, who knew about it, when did they find out about it and what was done or not done," said Abraham, who stressed that her role was as a civil lawyer only.

"How is it possible for little kids to be imperiled and we didn't know it?" she said.

In a statement, the board explained why it had hired Abraham, saying it seeks an internal probe. "Although the allegations against Jerry Sandusky and the alleged incidents occurred outside Second Mile programs and events, this does not change the fact that the alleged sexual abuse involved Second Mile program children, nor does it lessen the terrible impact of sexual abuse on its victims," the statement said.

The board said it hoped to announce its findings by December.

Abraham said the board may offer to assist the state Attorney General's Office on "subsequent investigations with regard to other allegations that have yet to be uncovered."

She urged any child or adult who has experienced inappropriate conduct by anyone associated with the charity to contact their local police, D.A.'s office or children's-service agency.

Abraham takes over as counsel from Wendell Courtney, who resigned last week from the Second Mile. Courtney, who knew about allegations against Sandusky in 1998 as counsel for Penn State, continued to represent the Second Mile, according to the sports-gossip website Deadspin.com.

Abraham raised questions about the judge in the case, District Judge Leslie Dutchcot, who has volunteered with the Second Mile.

"One would have expected, frankly, that she would have said right from the bench, 'It should be known to all parties that I'm a volunteer for or was a volunteer for the Second Mile,' " Abraham said. " 'Does anybody have any objection that I sit here?' That's what I would have hoped she would have said."