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Corbett Responds To Criticism Penn State Investigation Took Too Long

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Governor Corbett is dismissing criticism from some quarters that the investigation into the child sex abuse scandal at Penn State took too long to produce criminal charges.

The probe that resulted in child sex abuse charges against Jerry Sandusky and perjury charges against two Penn State administrators began while Tom Corbett was attorney general and did not culminate until he'd been governor for the better part of a year.

But Corbett dismisses the notion that the investigation took too long, "People that are saying that are ill-informed as to how investigations are conducted, how witnesses are developed, how back-up information -- corroborative information -- is developed and they really don't know what they're talking about."

The governor also characterized as 'not knowing what they're talking about' those who suggest the Sandusky probe may have been understaffed.

Corbett was also asked about calls for an investigation of the district justice who let Jerry Sandusky go free on just $100,000 unsecured bail, a district justice who allegedly has ties to Sandusky's charity.

"That's something that the disciplinary board of the court deals with – the judicial conduct board," Corbett said. "And I would say, my old office has the opportunity to go back and appeal that to the court of common pleas of Centre County."

When he spoke with reporters Tuesday afternoon, Governor Corbett said he had not seen Sandusky's TV interview, but said nonetheless that he was "very surprised" by the interview.

See CBS Philly's complete coverage of the Penn State sex abuse scandal.

Reported by Harrisburg Bureau Chief Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio 1060

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