( CNN ) -- Penn State has rejected a CNN public records request for a copy of a 1998 campus police report tied to sexual misconduct allegations made against then-assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky , a lawyer for the school told CNN . Amy Elizabeth McCall , an assistant general counsel , asserted in a letter to CNN that Penn State is `` a state-related institution '' and not a `` state school '' like some in other states , and therefore does not have the same public records requirements as other public institutions . `` Because the 1998 investigation did not result in any criminal charges , it is not criminal history information and the university 's police are thus required by law to keep that information within the police department , '' McCall wrote . According to a grand jury 's report released in early November , the mother of one of Sandusky 's accusers -- identified as Victim 6 -- came forward and said the coach had showered with her son and hugged him . Two campus police detectives eavesdropped on conversations in May 1998 when the mother confronted the coach , who retired a year later from the Nittany Lion program . Police later monitored a second conversation that month , in which the mother told Sandusky to stay away from her son . `` I understand . I was wrong , '' Sandusky said , according to the grand jury report . `` I wish I could get forgiveness . I know I wo n't get it from you . I wish I were dead . '' No charges were ever filed in that instance , and local and state law enforcement authorities did not look deeper into those and other allegations against Sandusky until years later . He now faces at least 50 charges related to alleged sex abuse perpetrated against young boys over a 14-year period . He has plead not guilty to all charges , saying in interviews that while he may have `` horsed around '' with children he never sexually assaulted them . CNN had asked for a copy of the Penn State campus police report of that 1998 investigation , citing Pennsylvania 's `` Right-to-Know Law '' that offers access for citizens and media to `` public information . '' University officials to face trial . Unlike many commonwealth agencies , Penn State and three other schools that receive state funds do n't fall under Pennsylvania 's right-to-know law , according to Terry Mutchler , the executive director of the state 's Office of Open Records . In 2007 , state lawmakers considered a change that would have included the school under the open records law . But Penn State President Graham Spanier -- who lost his job days after the grand jury report came out this fall , after initially supporting two school officials accused of covering up a 2002 eyewitness allegation against Sandusky -- testified against the move before the House State Government Committee . Spanier told the legislature he was concerned about the cost and compliance of Penn State being subject to the law . He also said that there were competitive reasons for keeping records private . `` Nobody would argue the point that the public has a right to know how public funds are spent , '' he said at the time . `` But these proposals will fundamentally change the way we operate , the way our trustees govern , and the way the university administers their policies . ''
A Penn State lawyer says CNN can not have the police report tied to a 1998 probe . That investigation related to Jerry Sandusky 's alleged sexual misconduct with a boy . The attorney said it was too late for that case, but he could see how this one would be relevant in another situation involving Sandusky. Pennsylvania 's `` right-to-know '' law does n't apply to Penn State , even if it gets state funds .