Katie Couric is back on the market. The reporter and future talk show host has split with her boyfriend of five years, entrepreneur Brooks Perlin. The New York Post first reported the break up. The couple – who met at a 2006 fundraiser for cancer research – were “at different stages in their careers,” according to a friend of the ABC correspondent, adding: “The split was inevitable.” Couric’s husband, Jay Monahan, died of colon cancer in 1998. He was 42. Couric will debut her new talk show on ABC in May, while she hosts a two-hour year-end special on December 15, looking back at various newsmakers from 2011. Looks like she can now include herself in that group. [Photo: WENN.com]
Jerry Sandusky pleaded not guilty inside of a Pennsylvania courtroom today, waiving his right to a preliminary hearing in the process and avoiding any testimony from those who have accused him of child abuse. For now at least. The disgraced ex-defensive coordinator at Penn State subsequently appeared on the courtroom steps alongside his lawyer, Joseph Amendola, who told the press: “There will be no plea negotiations. This is a fight to the death.” Amendola added that his client also waived his appearance at the January 11 arraignment and asked for a jury trial. A handful of alleged victims were present at the court house this morning and prepared to make their claims public , a step they will now take instead some time in 2012. Said Howard Janet, an attorney for one of the boys who has said he showered with Sandusky : “It would have been apparent from watching those boys and their demeanor that they were telling the truth.” Amendola, of course, says otherwise, telling reporters: “We’re pursuing a financial motivation. Finances and money are great motivators.” Late last week, Sandusky’s wife spoke out in support of her husband. She said the former coach only tried to ” help and care ” for the children that came through Second Mile, a charity he founded in the late 1970s, from which many believe he culled his young prey.
Jerry Sandusky, the former defensive coordinator at Penn State who faces 40 counts of sexual abuse charges against a total of eight young boys, is featured on tonight’s Rock Center with Brian Williams . The man in the middle of that university’s scandal speaks to Bob Costas and admits to excerpts from the 23-page grand jury report, specifically that has has showered with youths under the care of his Second Mile charity. “I could say that I have done some of those things. I have horsed around with kids I have showered after workouts. I have hugged them and I have touched their legs without intent of sexual contact,” said Sandusky . Asked about the allegations of abuse, however, Sandusky said “I am innocent” and asked whether or not he’s a pedophile, the ex-coach simply said: “No.” Sandusky is free on $100,000 bail. The grand jury report cites charges that date back to 1994 and includes incidents with boys in hotels room, at Sandusky’s home and on the Penn State campus. Two witnesses – a janitor in 2000 and an assistant coach in 2002 – say they saw Sandusky pinning a boy against a bathroom wall and having anal sex with him. For not reporting his knowledge of sexual misconduct by Sandusky, coach Joe Paterno was fired by Penn State last week. [Photo: Associated Press]
