Penn State news by
Penn State's student blog

Topics

More

Prosecutors Investigate Handling Of Nate Parker Sexual Misconduct Allegations At Penn State

Investigators are looking into how university officials handled allegations of sexual misconduct against former Penn State wrestler Nate Parker, according to the New York Times. This investigation coincides with the prosecution of former university president Graham Spanier, former athletic director Tim Curley, and former vice president Gary Schultz.

Parker, along with his roommate and teammate Jean McGianni Celestin, were accused of raping a fellow student in 1999. Parker was found not guilty on the four charges brought against him. His accuser committed suicide in 2012. The incident resurfaced earlier this year when Parker and Celestin were promoting their independent film The Birth Of A Nation.

Parker was suspended from the wrestling team after being charged with rape, but was reinstated in the fall of 2000 while he was facing trial. According to the New York Times, within weeks of returning to the team, a female student trainer said that Parker exposed himself to her. She decided against filing a report with the police “despite the urging of the university” the New York Times wrote.

According to the New York Times, the student trainer said that she was giving Parker a routine back treatment when Parker turned around and said that he wanted to show her something. Parker then allegedly pulled his pants down and exposed the top half of his penis. After reporting the alleged incident to the team’s assistant athletic trainer, the student trainer met with Curley who encouraged her to report the incident to the police. She decided not to report the incident because she “she feared the impact that such a move might have on her college experience” the New York Times wrote.

Prosecutors are investigating to determine if the handling of this allegation “suggests a broader pattern of inaction by the athletic department when it came to complaints of sexual misconduct ” said two law enforcement officials to the New York Times. The law enforcement officials were briefed on the investigation but are not authorized to discuss it publicly.

Curley’s attorney declined to comment because it is illegal to provide information about former students.

Parker dismisses the alleged exposure incident happened. “This is the first Mr. Parker has ever heard of this… He recognizes the seriousness of the issue, but this claim is completely untrue.” Parker’s lawyer told the New York Times.

Parker was kicked off the wrestling team in February of 2001 for violation of team rules. He transferred to Oklahoma, where he was again kicked off the wrestling team for head-butting an opponent.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Alex

Alex graduated in Spring 2018.

My Two Cents: Sarah Lynn DeCarlo’s Senior Column

Do life “for shits and gigs” and say yes to everything college has to offer.

‘Captain Uber’ Turns Side Hustle Into Memorable Experiences

“It makes me feel like I’m a part of the town – that I’m part of the fabric of the university life.”

Your Guide To Voting On Primary Election Day 2024

Polls open at 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, for this year’s primary elections in Pennsylvania.

Follow on Another Platform
113kFollowers
164kFollowers
59.7kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Other posts by Alex

The Best Penn State Creamery Milkshakes (With Alcohol)

With summer peeking over the horizon, the time has come to combine two Penn State staples: Berkey Creamery milkshakes and alcohol.

Wandering The Valley: Alex Bauer’s Senior Column

The Time Has Come To End The 5-Year Student Media Dodgeball Drought