Penn State trustee Keith Masser’s recent statement — “We had no idea (at the time) he would be involved in a cover-up” — about an identifiable Penn State official shows that he and his colleagues have learned nothing from their reckless and irresponsible rush to judgment on Nov. 9, 2011.

I am not an attorney and cannot give legal advice but, if this accusation is false, it could conceivably be libelous and therefore expose Penn State to substantial liability.

Penn Staters for Responsible Stewardship legal adviser Robert Tribeck, who is an attorney, said in a recent news release that the trustees “feed the media sensational quotes and potentially do grave damage to the University and the individuals involved. ... Contrary to what Mr. Masser may believe, his statement ... constitutes a statement of the Board of Trustees and will undoubtedly be utilized in pending litigation against the University.”

I read that the official involved decided not to report Jerry Sandusky to the authorities, but also that he and others had done “legal research” on what they needed to do.

I do not know all the facts, however, and neither does Masser — just as he and his colleagues did not know all the facts when they rushed to judgment in November.

This reinforces the belief of many alumni that Penn State cannot heal or move forward while Masser or any of his colleagues on the board are part of its governance.

William A. Levinson Wilkes-Barre

The writer is a Penn State alumnus.