The Daily Caller

The Daily Caller
 Penn State head coach Joe Paterno, and cornerback Thomas Derrick walk on the field during pre-game warm ups before an NCAA college football game against Eastern Michigan in State College, Pa., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)  

Ed Dept. investigating Penn State sex abuse case

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Education Department is investigating whether Penn State failed to report incidents of sexual abuse on campus, as required by federal law.

Colleges and universities must report the number of crimes on campus and provide warnings if safety is threatened.

The investigation was launched after the arrest of former football defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky on sexual abuse charges. Two university officials were arrested on charges they failed to notify authorities after being told about an incident.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan says the allegations, if true, are a tragedy for the boys. He says it would be even worse if officials knew about the abuse and didn’t report it.

The Office of Financial Aid is conducting the investigation. The Office of Civil Rights also is considering whether it should investigate.