One interpretation is that Freeh only HEAVILY distorted the truth and did not cross over the line to outright "lie", however that rationale cannot be applied to Mr. Van Natta Jr. at ESPN.com.

(and this is my first FanPost, so hopefully I didn't massively screw anything up)

From page 53 of the Freeh Report:

"The Special Investigative Counsel requested an interview with Paterno in December 2011. Through his counsel, Paterno expressed interest in participating but died before he could be interviewed."

(http://progress.psu.edu/assets/content/REPORT_FINAL_071212.pdf)

Louis Freeh (2/10/13):

"Although Mr. Paterno was willing to speak with a news reporter and his biographer at that time, he elected not to speak with us."

(http://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/louis-freeh-paterno-report-is-self-serving-1241681)

Don Van Natta Jr., ESPN (2/10/13):

“Freeh also pointed out that Paterno declined an opportunity to speak with his investigators.”

(http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/8932633/report-family-former-penn-state-coach-joe-paterno-strong-freeh-report.html)

Stephan A. Smith, ESPN (2/11/13):

“The Freeh Commission said that they tried to speak to members of your family, they tried to speak to other parties involved, and they were rebuffed – people were refusing to speak to them.”

(ESPN First Take)

Wick Sollers (11/11/13):

"The assertion by Mr. Freeh that somehow the Paterno family declined to cooperate with his investigators is an unfortunate distortion of the truth.”

(http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/02/paterno_freeh_report.html)

Jay Paterno (2/11/13):

“There was never any time that Joe said he was not going to meet with them.”

(ESPN First Take)