Penn State investigations, costs piling up

LESTER HOLT, anchor: Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky , is accused of molesting eight boys over a 15-year period. However, investigators are digging deeper tonight into his contacts with other children. NBC 's national investigative correspondent Michael Isikoff has the latest.

MICHAEL ISIKOFF reporting: Investigators tell NBC News they are vigorously pursuing new leads about other possible victims of alleged sex offender Jerry Sandusky . Sandusky has denied all charges and is free on $100,000 bail. He has even reportedly been spotted at the local mall wearing a Penn State sweatshirt.

Ms. PATTY COBLE: I'm furious. It's the fact that what he has done and now he can walk the streets, sleep in his own bed, you know, spend time with his family.

ISIKOFF: Patty Coble quit this week as a volunteer fundraiser for the charity Sandusky founded, The Second Mile , where he met all of his alleged victims.

Ms. COBLE: You sit back and you think about it now, it's disgusting.

ISIKOFF: There are now four ongoing investigations into this scandal: the Pennsylvania state police, Penn State University , San Antonio police who are investigating reports that Sandusky molested a boy he took to the Alamo Bowl in 1999 , and the US Department of Education , trying to determine whether Penn State officials broke a federal law by failing to properly report suspected sex crimes on campus.

Secretary ARNE DUNCAN (Secretary of Education): The fact that this was allowed to go on for so long is mind-boggling to me.

ISIKOFF: And there's also the threat of civil lawsuits that could result in millions of dollars in damages.

Ms. WENDY MURPHY (Legal Analyst): I think there's no doubt about it , they're going to get whacked. You know, it's likely we'll see dozens of victims potentially filing suit.

ISIKOFF: Tonight, there are growing concerns about what those potential lawsuits could cost Penn State University , which is already covering the legal costs of two former top officials charged in the case. A credit rating agency is reviewing Penn State 's bond rating because of the risk of civil liabilities and the damage to its reputation. Michael Isikoff , NBC News, State College , Pennsylvania.