The Penn State Board of Trustees commissioned an independent investigation by former FBI Director Louis Freeh, whose report stated that Penn State's longtime head football coach Joe Paterno, along with Spanier, Curley, and Schultz, were aware of allegations of child abuse by Sandusky as early as 1998, and had demonstrated "total disregard" for the allegations. The Freeh Report also concluded that there was a "culture of secrecy" at Penn State that allowed the abuse to continue for years. Paterno died in January 2012 after being diagnosed with cancer. Before his death, Paterno said he did not know what would have happened if he had reported Sandusky to authorities. However, the Freeh Report states that this is inaccurate and that Paterno should have called police himself to report the incident in 1998. Paterno's family has maintained that he was not told about the further incidents involving Sandusky because they believed it would hurt him professionally if such information became public. However, the Freeh Report concludes that this explanation is not credible. In addition, the Report notes that other members of the coaching staff were made aware of allegations of additional abuse by Sandusky during their time at Penn State. Former assistant coaches Jerry Sandusky (Joe's son) and Mike McQuade have been charged with criminal offenses for failing to report the abuse to authorities. Mr. McQuade has entered a plea deal that requires him to testify against his former employer.