Dottie Sandusky, the wife of former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky, is against the idea of a casino being built in State College, Pennsylvania. She believes that Ira Lubert, the developer behind the proposed “mini-casino” at the Nittany Mall, is partially responsible for her husband’s imprisonment.
Jerry Sandusky, a former assistant football coach at Penn State, was convicted in 2012 on multiple charges related to child molestation. Despite the allegations against her husband, Dottie Sandusky has remained supportive of him. She maintains that he is innocent and blames the Penn State Board of Trustees, including Lubert, for not properly vetting the victims.
In a letter to the editor of the Centre Daily Times, Dottie Sandusky expressed her opposition to the casino and criticized Lubert for his focus on profit over the well-being of the community. She pointed to Lubert’s involvement in the King of Prussia Mall casino project, which he later sold for a significant profit, as evidence of his motivations.
While many in the State College community share Dottie Sandusky’s concerns about the casino, her association with the Sandusky scandal has complicated the issue. Penn State alumni and supporters are eager to move past the dark chapter in the university’s history, and Mrs. Sandusky’s public statements have brought unwanted attention back to the controversy.
Ira Lubert, the developer behind the State College casino project, secured the rights to build a mini-casino at the Nittany Mall through a bid to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Despite Bally’s withdrawal from the project, Lubert remains committed to bringing his vision to life without relying on third-party partnerships.
The debate over the State College casino continues to divide the community, with Mrs. Sandusky’s opposition serving as a reminder of the university’s troubled past. As the project moves forward, residents and stakeholders will need to navigate the complex issues surrounding the development while respecting the differing viewpoints on the matter.
