HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Former Penn State president Graham Spanier says he's not guilty of the cover-up charges he faces in the Jerry Sandusky molestation scandal, and he is accusing the governor of trying to settle a personal score.

Spanier's lawyers issued a statement Thursday responding to charges of perjury, obstruction and child endangerment.

The attorneys say the charges are the result of Gov. Tom Corbett trying to divert attention from the three-year investigation into Sandusky that began when the governor was attorney general.

His lawyers say facts don't support the charges, and claim Corbett is behind what they call a politically motivated frame-up.

Spanier has been placed on paid leave by the university.

Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley says Spanier's statement "sounds like the ranting of a desperate man who just got indicted."