Former Penn State president Graham Spanier charged in Sandusky coverup

Graham Spanier, the ex-president of Penn State University, was charged by state prosecutors Thursday for his role in orchestrating a coverup of the crimes committed by Jerry Sandusky, the convicted child molester, according to a report from Russell Goldman of ABCnews.com.

In the report, Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly said Spanier and two additional members of the administration, who were also charged, contributed to a "conspiracy of silence" and worked "to conceal the truth" with "an absolute disregard to the safety of minor children."

The charges against Spanier include perjury, child endangerment, failing to report child abuse, criminal conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.

"There is no factual basis to support these charges," Spanier's lawyers said in a statement in the report. "Graham Spanier has committed no crime and looks forward to the opportunity to clear his good name and well-earned national reputation for integrity."

Sandusky was convicted in July on 45 counts of sexual abuse on 10 boys.