The disciplinary hearing against former prosecutor Frank Fina got off to a contentious start Thursday, with several hostile exchanges between attorneys and a witness, and one lawyer for the former prosecutor saying that a statement made by disciplinary counsel was “defamatory and scandalous.”

Fina became well-known for handling the case against convicted child molester Jerry Sandusky, and he also helped build the case against three Penn State officials who were later convicted of child endangerment charges in connection with Sandusky’s conduct. It is his conduct during those proceedings that were at issue during Thursday’s hearing.