http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/03/jerry_sandusky_adopted_son_had.html
http://abcnews.go.com/US/jerry-sandusky-offered-victim-contract/story?id=16539947
Even though 1998 is the "magic number" there is ample evidence just from known victims prior to 1998.
So why was 1998 selected as the start point? It would seem to me the closer you get to the beginning, the less confusion there would be.
Analogous to a flashlight shining. The further from the light, the more diffuse it is.
That's a good question, one I've thought about quite a bit. In my opinion, 98 could be the starting point because that was the year Sandusky learned he would not become the next head coach at PSU. Perhaps the disappointment caused him to snap and fall deeper into his compulsion. Or maybe he just didn't care anymore and was willing to throw caution to the wind once the prospect of becoming the next head coach was no longer there. Also, there is the possibility his blatant crimes within the football building were a passive-aggressive attempt to damage Paterno. If so, then he certainly succeeded.
But there is also the possibility that he was not to become the next head coach because of a previous incident that was concealed. Here is a note, included in the Freeh report, that Paterno wrote, presumably, around 98:
We know this isnt easy for you and it isnt easy for us or Penn State. Part of the reason it isnt easy is because I allowed and at times tried to help you with your developing the 2" Mile. If there were no 2"" Mile then I believe you belief (sp?) that you probably could be the next Penn State FB Coach. But you wanted the best of two worlds and I probably should have sat down with you 6 or 7 years ago and said "look Jerry if you want to be the Head Coach at Penn State, give up your association with the 2" Mile and concentrate on nothing but your family and Penn State. Dont worry about the 2"" Mile you dont have the luxury of doing both. One will always demand a decision of preference. You are too deeply involved in both.
Does it sound like Paterno knew about an allegation? Does it sound like Paterno finds Sandusky's obsession with the charity a bit creepy?
I tend to think not. I believe Paterno bought into the mythology he created about the Penn State football program, and he really believed one of his assistant coaches would rather spend time doing charity work than coaching football.
Of course, that only relates to Paterno. There are plenty of other folks in Centre County associated with Second Mile, law enforcement, CYS, etc. that could have had knowledge of his criminal behavior.