Posted: Tuesday September 4, 2012 7:00PM ; Updated: Wednesday September 5, 2012 1:16AM

Penn State reports almost $17 million in Sandusky scandal costs

Story Highlights

Penn State's costs for the Jerry Sandusky scandal have reached nearly $17 million

Nearly $10 million have gone for internal investigation and crisis communications

The school says the costs will be covered by insurance policies or loan interest

Penn State is still facing lawsuits from the accusers of Jerry Sandusky.

Pat Little/REUTERS

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Penn State's costs for legal fees, consultants and public relations firms hired to help deal with the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal have reached nearly $17 million.

The university said it has spent almost $16.8 million through June 30.

Nearly $10 million of that went to seven firms for what Penn State calls internal investigation and crisis communications. Nearly $4 million went for university legal services and defense.

The university is also facing lawsuits from Sandusky's accusers while the NCAA leveled a $60 million fine against the school in July.

The school says the costs for the legal defense and public relations are not paid by student tuition, taxpayer funds or donations. It says the costs will be covered by insurance policies or interest payments on loans it makes.