AP: Penn State says Sandusky settlements close

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Penn State's negotiator for civil claims involving former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky said Friday the school has been in talks with 28 people and settlements with some individuals could be complete soon.

The 28 claimants are 18 more than were involved in Sandusky's criminal case.

Ken Feinberg told The Associated Press that the talks have gone well and he is hopeful they will produce results in the coming weeks.

No one has pulled out of the negotiations, and he said a realistic timetable for settlements is "the near future. I think the process will be successful, yes I do.''

Harrisburg attorney Ben Andreozzi, who represents multiple claimants in the talks, said there was "still some ground that needs to be made up.''

"I wouldn't say I'm quite as optimistic as he is,'' Andreozzi said. "I do think it's been a positive process and both parties are acting in good faith so far. I would say I'm cautiously optimistic.''

Feinberg said the 28 claims are being handled on an accelerated basis now that the holidays are over.

"This is not a group settlement,'' he said. "We're looking at each individual claim.''

Penn State announced in September it was bringing in Feinberg, who helped resolve claims from the Sept. 11 terror attacks, the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the Virginia Tech massacre.

Sandusky, the school's former assistant football coach, was convicted in June of 45 criminal counts for sexual abuse of 10 boys. He maintains he is innocent and is pursuing appeals. He is serving a 30- to 60-year state prison sentence.