george hopkins cadetscharleston, wv indictments 2022
Success! They became the 507 Hornets -- I marched there from 1971-1974. You have permission to edit this article. After the hearing, Hopkins lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers stories. Its credits include the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, President Barack Obama's first inaugural parade, a reality TV show and "Late Night with David Letterman.". [2][3], In the second half of the Sixties, the Garfield Cadets became more of an also-ran than a champion. These sort of militaristic rituals, paired with constant reminders about how grateful members should be for their spot on the corps, foster a culture of negligence that came to light last month when several former members went public with allegations, leading to the resignation of former corps director Kristy Jackson. The former, longtime director of the Allentown Cadets competitive marching band entered a plea Thursday in a sexual assault case dating to 2018. But I never said yes," said Linda Riley. In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. A statement issued late Thursday night by the YEA board of directors, the organization that operates The Cadets, an elite drum and bugle corps, said CEO George Hopkins denies the allegations but . A six-month investigation into Allentown's Youth Education in the Arts is now complete. In February 2023, CAE announced a long-term partnership with the Erie Sports Center, resulting in a decision to move The Cadets and all operations of CAE to Erie, Pa. Also in '96, the Cadets performed at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. also sponsored the recently inactive 2016 DCA Champion Cadets2 Drum Corps, 2014 WGI Independent Open Champion Cadets Winter Percussion, and Cadets Winter Guard; USBands (formerly United States Scholastic Band Association); the Urban Arts Center of the Lehigh Valley, which included the Xcape Dance Studio.[18]. I wholeheartedly believe in the mission and vision of YEA! The DCI.org interview: George Hopkins Hopkins needs Help From George Hopkins . Allentown Cadets hit hard financially by sexual misconduct scandal The women who accused Hopkins of harassment ranged in age from 16 to 37 at the time of the alleged incidents, which dated to 1980. Philly.com reported the alleged misconduct ranged from lewd comments and groping to rape. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. (A similar group of Midwestern corps, the Midwest Combine, was formed by the Blue Stars, Cavaliers, Madison Scouts, Santa Clara Vanguard, and the Troopers.) This is art. You have permission to edit this article. In written remarks later directed at Hopkins, she said she had joined the Cadets bright-eyed, eager, and innocently believing that through hard work and integrity most things were possible., Instead, she said, working for the Cadets meant being subjected to verbal and sexual abuse. Thank you again for the opportunity and best of luck. Genesis from Austin, Texas performs during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. Defense in sex assault case wants newspaper to hand over accuser's DCI.org: For the uninitiated, give us a brief history of YEA!'s relationship with the Crossmen. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office. organization was immediately put on a probationary status by DCI with the statement that, "The terms of the probation include multiple steps for YEA! Ex-Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins waives hearing on sexual After the summer of 2020, the first summer in years without a Troopers tour, Ian Calhoun said he started to hear from friends hed made at the corps who were interested in reporting some of their experiences to the advocacy group MAASIN (Marching Arts Access, Safety & Inclusion Network). Assistant District Attorney Matthew Falk declined to comment afterward on whether the two sides were discussing a plea deal. Jackie Fritsche You beat me to it. This amount of the lawsuit included recovery for lost sponsorships and pledged donations to The Cadets and YEA!, a major loss of participants in the US Bands program, as well as legal fees incurred due to the scandal. [9] Claiming to have received no letter of resignation, the new board terminated Hopkins for cause. You have permission to edit this article. Shes four years removed from the corps now, and married. Hopkins attended Wednesdays proceeding but did not address the court. By Staff. On Wednesday, he told Lehigh County Judge James Anthony that the Inquirer has refused to provide the full video. The woman told police that when she stood up to leave the bar, she felt like she was moving in Jell-O.. The Casper Troopers perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. Youth Education in. for more than $650,000 in severance and back pay, the organization filed a counter-suit against the former director for $1.5 million in losses which it alleges to have lost due to the sexual misconduct scandal. Two more women say they were raped by Cadets' George Hopkins - Inquirer.com A Chicago law firm has exonerated suspended Youth Education in the Arts employee Sean King. With no 2020 drum corps season, Cadets Arts & Entertainment focused its attention on establishing clear policies, strict safeguards and strategic committees that meet regularly to help guide The Cadets forward. And thats the sad part, those people that truly went through something hard, something life-altering and traumatic, are scared to talk about it.. George Hopkins, YEA settle civil suit regarding compensation, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. Marched in the Holts Hornets from 1968-1970. Success! "[12] As a part of the terms of probation, the corps' reassessed their planned travel to the West Coast to open the season, and instead decided to proceed with a schedule redrawn for East Coast shows. 1, 2 & 4 / Grover's Corner (from Our Town) & Appalachian Spring, Symphony No. Steven Chirichella Richie has his gold uniform on him in his eternity as he lies in the heavens dont turn him blackplease oh Holy Name. The women are among roughly a dozen connected to the Cadets organization who say they were sexually assaulted by Hopkins dating back to the 1980s. Hopkins is facing two sexual assault charges after nearly a dozen women came forward with allegations in 2018. Thats if they make it onto the corps which is decided over several monthly training camps, between which corps hopefuls have to complete video assignments and track their diet and exercise. George Hopkins - Medium The City of Erie welcomed The Cadets with open arms, offering access to local business relationships, services, volunteers, and new opportunities for funding and partnerships. Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins has settled a civil claim with the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts, regarding compensation. The Cadets of Bergen County won DCI Championships in 1990, '93, '98, and 2000. It said it was reaching out to Youth Education in the Arts, and also planned an internal review to see whether any current members of the DCI staff knew about the allegations and failed to report them. All that was claimed to have happened didnt happen. It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. Morning Call reporter Laurie Mason Schroeder can be reached at 610-820-6506 or lmason@mcall.com. Connell said she never had any problems with Jackson herself, but was hurt indirectly watching her close friends being neglected or silenced. George Hopkins has been charged in Lehigh County with two counts of sexual assault. That might be because people are running their faucets to keep pipes from freezing. GEORGE HOPKINS 1983 - present George Hopkins, better known as "Hop" to his friends and marching Cadets, is the current Director of our corps, as well as the longest serving (25 years and still going strong). Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office workers said he was a volatile, often verbally abusive boss. he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Ex-director of Allentown drum corps enters plea in - lehighvalleylive Falk said the victims were in agreement with the plea negotiation. Calhoun ended up pulling a hamstring, but wasnt sent to a clinic for treatment. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. Caren Blundetto-Frech This would be more appropriately titled as a BLACK SATURDAY sale . George Hopkins, former director of Allentown's elite Cadets drum and bugle corps, pleaded no contest to indecent assault after an Inquirer investigation revealed years of misconduct. If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. Read more Kyle Monroe by Tricia L. Nadolny But instead, he encountered a disorganized administrative team that seemed to be improvising on the job. The YEA! But, as Connell says, the problem is much deeper than a couple of creeps. The group keeps up a grueling practice and travel schedule, performing throughout the United States. The investigation into Hopkins conduct found he had little oversight from the Cadets board, giving him the freedom to throw things when angry in rehearsals, refer to women as little girls, and send inappropriate sexual emails on the organizations server. There is an interview with Beyer that is readily available to the public that will allow the Bergstrom to build his defense, Berry argued. George Hopkins Resigns As Director Of Cadets Following Sexual Assault George Hopkins, who also ran the youth arts education nonprofit that operates the Cadets program, pleaded no contest to the charges in 2020 and is now serving two years of probation. The Troopers and other corps under the Drum Corps International umbrella are now left to reckon with the allegations brought against them on a deeper level, beyond personnel. Not someone who wants to be an assistant. [7] Later that day, Hopkins stepped down as director of The Cadets and YEA! [2][3], In 1958, the Holy Name parish declined to support the corps' travel and disbanded the corps. First, I want to thank you for the opportunity you have afforded me in this role. . George Hopkins, who led The Cadets to renown and a slew of national and world championships, stepped down from the Allentown-based group after Philly.com reported Thursday that nine women had accused him of sexual harassment or abuse. Hopkins' accusers ranged from 16 to 37 at the time of the abuse and harassment they say they endured, including three who were members of The Cadets and five who worked for Youth Education in the Arts, the parent organization that Hopkins also led as chief executive officer until his resignation. He watched as several other members suffered avoidable injuries from being overworked with little rest. The Crossmen of San Antonio, Texas perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. It comes from the higher-ups, it comes from the admin, it comes from the board of directors, it comes from the staff, the caption staff, the people that are in charge of putting on the show. Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony also fined Hopkins $5,000, the most allowed by law, and called him flatly disgusting.. The judge set a Dec. 17 hearing on the defenses motion to dismiss the charges. participation in 2018 Summer Tour", "Cadets to forgo west coast portion of 2018 tour", "Ex-director of Allentown drum corps enters plea in sexual assault case", "Former Allentown Cadets band leader pleads no contest to indecent assault; judge calls him 'disgusting', "Drum corps seeks $1.5 million from former director after sexual misconduct scandal", "George Hopkins, YEA settle civil suit regarding compensation", "The Cadets Announce Independent Not-For-Profit Youth Organization", https://cadets.org/cadets-announce-move-erie-pa, https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/48381432/erie-sports-center-to-become-permanent-home-for-the-cadets-drum-corps, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Cadets_Drum_and_Bugle_Corps&oldid=1139537566, The Sinfonians by Clifton Williams / Give it One by, Advance of the Sponges by HIGGINS / Left Bank Express by Pete Jackson / Pieces of Dreams by Michel Legrand, Alan Bergman & Marilyn Bergman / Echano by Chuck Mangione / Strawberry Soup by, Rocky Point Holiday by Ron Nelson / In Nomine Patris, Almighty Father, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, God Said, De Profundis, Part 2 & A Simple Song, Maria, Rumble, Prologue, America, I Have a Love, & Tonight, Jeremiah Symphony, Overture to Candide & Make Our Garden Grow (from Candide), I Dreamed A Dream, At the End of the Day, Look Down, On My Own, Attack on Rue Plumet, Bring Him Home, One Day More & At the Barricades, In the Spring, When Kings Go Off to War; Ballet Sacra & On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss, Dance at the Gym, Mambo, Cha-cha, Cool, Prologue/Rumble, A Boy Like That, Tonight & Finale, The Reivers, Born on the 4th of July, Blowing Off Steam (from Far and Away), Swing, Swing, Swing (from 1941) & Land Race (from Far and Away), The Promise of Living (from Tender Land) by Aaron Copland / Tulsa: A Portrait in Oil by, Tapestry Of Nations, Prologue, Chaos and Meaning, The Sage of Time & The Promise, History Repeating by Alex Gifford / White Rabbit by, Rumble, Prologue, A Boy Like That-I Have A Love, Cool & Tonight, Symphony No. There was upset from some people, as you can see, and others saw the progression as an effort to maintain the Cadets as an organization steeped in tradition but also very, very progressive when it came to new ideas, new concepts, and fresh presentations. George Hopkins 260 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). Critic: I warned drum corps executive about George Hopkins Cc: Youth Education in the Arts Board of Directors. Through his attorney, Hopkins denied "any nonconsensual relations" with the sisters and also denied having "any relations whatsoever" with Lee Ann Riley while she was a minor. Defense attorney Thomas Bergstrom had previously filed a motion asking that The Philadelphia Inquirer provide the full and unedited video interview with one of Hopkins accusers that it had produced and published online. In a no contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps members perform during the corps' 50th anniversary gathering in July 2011. In my opinion, its impossible to march drum corps and not be broken in some way when you come out, because its a very rigorous physical and mental activity, said Calhoun, a former baritone. Awaiting trial for sex assault, former Allentown bugle corps director Never marched in high school band. The only ones that thought it was the kiss ass GH puppets/groupies/cult members. gant \er--gnt, a-r-\ : having or showing the insulting attitude of people who believe that they are better, smarter, or more important than other people : having or showing arrogance.thats GH. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. George has 7 jobs listed on their profile. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Hopkins was forced out as director of the . to take in order for its drum corps to participate in the upcoming 2018 DCI Summer Tour. Value of cutting back on your screen time, What the Tech? George Hopkins, the former director of the Allentown Cadets and CEO of Youth Education in the Arts who separated from the organization after being accused of sexually harassing nine women, is suing YEA for more than $580,000 in severance pay. "' The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps . She said that one evening in 2008, Hopkins asked her to come to his Allentown apartment to do some work. The judge did question how the defense would know if the witness impeached her own testimony on the stand, if it didnt know ahead of time what she may have said in an earlier interview. In 1969, the corps became coed. Also in 1971, the Garfield Cadets, along with the 27th Lancers, Boston Crusaders, Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights, and Blue Rock, formed the United Organization of Junior Corps (also known as the "Alliance"). As one of the only returning baritones, he was offered the section head spot by Jackson but turned it down I thought I didnt deserve it.. They reportedly tried to convince the VFW officials that the peace symbol in their drill was actually the Mercedes-Benz logo. In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. Bergstrom argued that the states shield laws do not apply in this case as the Inquirer is not protecting a confidential source or communication. Charges were filed against Hopkins in November 2018, months after Youth Education in the Arts launched an investigation after about a dozen women accused Hopkins of sexual misconduct. It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. The corps would fail to make DCI Finals for the first three years they were held and for six of DCI's first eight seasons. But even after he was let go, Connell said he was still allowed around corps members who knew what had happened and had reported him to the administration because he was the organizations connection to the housing site where they were staying. For the 1971 season, the corps stuck together, offering show promoters the five corps as a package. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. On November 13, Hopkins was indicted in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania for sexual assault, based on accusations of two women who are former employees of YEA. The judge opined that this situation is very different than, say, a defendants statement to police, a full copy of which would be made available to the defense by the prosecution. "We are now opening a new chapter in the storied history of The Cadets by creating a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity guided by the following founding principles: To educate youth from around the globe on the value of teamwork, inclusiveness, kindness, self-expression, and open communication; To create a safe and inclusive environment for all participants; and To enrich lives by teaching critical development skills required for the pursuit of personal excellence.". As presented, the Cadets did turn to Black renditions of the Cadets uniforms at the end of 2015. In response to a question from Anthony, Berry said the paper would hand over the full video recording for the judges review only, if that was the courts ruling.
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