In addition, YEA! READ MORE: Nine women from Allentowns elite Cadets drum corps accuse director George Hopkins of sexual abuse and harassment. The members and staff, however, were not willing to cease the corps operations, and reorganized as a new organization, even though the parish kept the uniforms and instruments. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets' parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors withdrew two charges of felony sexual assault and added the indecent assault count, a misdemeanor, and Hopkins pleaded no contest to that charge. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. : p or should it be, willing away the cash cow?Someone sold our souls to this legacy (too) many years ago. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. The charges are second-degree felonies. 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. [22][23], At the annual World Championship Finals, Drum Corps International (DCI) presents awards to the corps with the high average scores from prelims, semifinals, and finals in five captions. George Hopkins, the former CEO of the Allentown-based Youth Education in the Arts, faces three felony counts of sexual assault for allegedly assaulting two former employees. [16] Hopkins and YEA! In his federal lawsuit seeking severance pay and other monies, Hopkins asserts that he resigned from the organization by letter on April 5, and that his departure was "mutually agreed"-upon. George Hopkins pleaded no contest in Lehigh. In 1950, the Cadets went on the road for three weeks in order to defend their Legion title in Los Angeles. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office. After their third Finals appearance in 1980, the Cadets quickly regained the corps' former championship form. "I felt pressured and I felt cornered. "' The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps . She said she told Hopkins no but was unable to fight off his sexual advances. Bergstrom reiterated his position that he cant effectively prepare a defense without access to the full interview. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. You can cancel at any time. 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. separated from YEA and became the nonprofit Cadets Arts and Entertainment Inc. Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. She said that one evening in 2008, Hopkins asked her to come to his Allentown apartment to do some work. Copyright 2023 by The Associated Press. After a great experience his first year, Calhoun said he was looking forward to coming back in 2017, even as some changes in his personal life took a toll on his mental health. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office workers said he was a volatile, often verbally abusive boss. Hopkins: Briefly, after I personally assisted the project in 1996 (Chris Marino was the chairman of the board for the Crossmen), YEA! (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). agreed to take over the assets and liabilities of the Crossmen in 1997. Rachael Ray Ending After 17 Seasons: Its Time for Me to Move On, Shania Twain 'uncontrollably fragile' after husband's affair, 48 Hours: Natalie Morales Reveals How Social Media Helped Solve Case, Uriah Heep believe they have 'some merit' to be considered for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame entry, Amanda Seyfried wants to a role in movie version of Mean Girls: The Musical, Aaron Taylor-Johnson joins Nosferatu remake. He resigned his position in April 2018, but the YEA board rejected his resignation and fired him, citing the sexual misconduct allegations lodged against him. separated from YEA and became the nonprofit Cadets Arts & Entertainment Inc. Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear, Report: Drum corps leader threw things at work, called women little girls, California residents do not sell my data request. 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. Read more Kyle Monroe by Tricia L. Nadolny At one point, a staff member called members of his section worthless to their faces, because they couldnt march without passing out from untended injuries. These PEOPLE are your most important asset. There is an interview with Beyer that is readily available to the public that will allow the Bergstrom to build his defense, Berry argued. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. (CAE). On July 4, 1986 the Cadets performed as a part of the Liberty Weekend celebrating both the hundredth anniversary and the restoration of the Statue of Liberty. In a fast-paced competitive environment like the Troopers, Calhoun said his mental illness problems soon led to physical injuries. to recruit potential members is a Cadet legend. The whistleblowers say they went public after receiving a feeble response from the Troopers legal team. 1 / Adagio for Strings / Medea's Dance of Vengeance, The Promise of Living (from The Tender Land) / Lincoln Portrait / Music for the Theater, Mvts. The YEA! It wasnt rape, and it wasnt sexual assault, Bergstrom said. creates new code of conduct after sexual harassment allegations, Fired! In both cases, the women say after meeting with Hopkins on business, they were drugged and sexually assaulted. Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. DCI.org: For the uninitiated, give us a brief history of YEA!'s relationship with the Crossmen. Error! The judge set a Dec. 17 hearing on the defenses motion to dismiss the charges. He now is awaiting trial in Lehigh County on charges of sexually assaulting two of the women. She said Hopkins' denials on social media after the allegations became public in 2018 he complained he had been smeared were a constant source of anxiety. Nine women from Allentowns elite Cadets drum corps accuse director George Hopkins of sexual abuse and harassment, he sued the organization for more than $580,000. In an online post last year, Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear by those who disagreed with his management. But this isnt the military. The Casper Troopers perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening. and USBands, but I can no longer be treated as dispensable. Their biggest resource in that effort may be the very people who are speaking out. In 1971, the Cadets marched a show they called, "No More War"; at VFW Nationals in Dallas. The 36-year-old woman addressed Anthony and spoke about years of fear, shame and depression as a result of the crime, which she did not immediately report. George Hopkins, the former director of the renowned Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps, appeared in a Lehigh County courtroom Tuesday morning and gave up his right to a preliminary hearing on . If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. Now, she told Hopkins, who stood a few feet from her in the courtroom, she feels stronger than ever. Second, I want to thank the USBands team for their hard work. Names and emails redacted to protect the innocent. [7] Later that day, Hopkins stepped down as director of The Cadets and YEA! You have permission to edit this article. George has 7 jobs listed on their profile. 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. I want the victims to know that what you did was horrible beyond description, the judge said. Man missing since 2021 was murdered, co-worker arrested: DA, Brian Laundrie was 'emotional bully,' Petito family lawsuit says, Pa. woman missing since 1992 found alive in Puerto Rico. The Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps lost sponsors, donors and engagements because of sexual misconduct allegations against its then-director George Hopkins. Berry cited precedent in which a federal court found that the defense had not exhausted all other avenues for getting information before a media outlet was forced to hand over an interview. They dont eat lunch until their section is perfectly lined up by twos. After the allegations surfaced, Hopkins resigned in April and was then fired by a new board of directors. Stuart Evan Rice said in an interview this week that he told Dan Acheson . I think from here on out, theres a new level and a new sense of accountability that we as alumni of the Corps are unified in making sure that these experiences dont happen again, said former Troopers color guard member Vanessa Connell. 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. Als u niet wilt dat wij en onze partners cookies en persoonsgegevens voor deze aanvullende doeleinden gebruiken, klik dan op 'Alles weigeren'. "There were some tears. Hopkins, the longtime director of the famed drum corps, resigned in April after nine women whose stories spanned four decades told the Inquirer and Daily News he had sexually harassed or abused them. One in four trooper positions are vacant. Renowned drum corps leader resigns amid abuse allegations. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Crews contend with tons of snow as they work to reopen I-80, Powell sisters die in crash with semi-truck, Long shifts, odd calls, brutal weather: inside the Wyoming Highway Patrol staffing shortage, Ex-Casper doctor imprisoned for sexually assaulting patients released years early, Lovell steps up after local sportswriter dies from car crash injuries. Defense in sex assault case wants newspaper to hand over accuser's video interview, George Hopkins' defense attorney wants access to the Philadelphia Inquirer's unedited video, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. Despite pressure on show sponsors, judges, and other drum corps, the corps were booked into a number of shows together. Four months after the director of Allentown's famed Cadets drum corps, George Hopkins, resigned amid a sexual misconduct scandal, the spotlight has now turned on another, smaller corps Pioneer of Milwaukee. with the Cadets as DCI World Championsthe first eastern corps ever to hold For members of the Casper-based Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps, summer is hardly a vacation. says every person associated with its drum corps programs must sign a code of conduct, , There's another twist in the ongoing investigation over sexual assault allegations targeting, Documents obtained by 69 News appear to show former Youth Education in the Arts CEO and Alle, The investigation into sexual misconduct allegations at the Allentown Cadets drum and bugle , The organization that oversees Allentown's famed Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. After the hearing, Hopkins lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers stories. Crews were actively searching for people who were trapped, but having a hard time getting to them. Read more JESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer Hopkins had been suing YEA for $650,000 in severance, vacation and expenses. George Hopkins, the former director of the Allentown Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps who was accused of sexual misconduct by nearly a dozen women, pleaded no contest to indecent assault and was sentenced to two years probation in Lehigh County Court on Thursday. 39K subscribers in the drumcorps community. Her husband, based on everything hes heard about drum corps from Connell, says he wouldnt let any of their children march. And thats the sad part, those people that truly went through something hard, something life-altering and traumatic, are scared to talk about it.. Fifteen years before nine women stepped forward to accuse drum corps leader George Hopkins of sexual abuse, a long-time critic says he warned the director of the activity's governing body of questionable behavior by Hopkins, but was dismissed. Tips to help protect your smartphone from thieves, Outlast Forces Lone Wolf Contestants to Embrace Team Dynamics for Netflix Competition, Diego Luna: Andor Ending With Season 2 Is Really Important for My Mental Health. Casper nonprofits can now apply for 1-cent funding through the city's official application process. 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. The only ones that thought it was the kiss ass GH puppets/groupies/cult members. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. 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. Wij, Yahoo, maken deel uit van de Yahoo-merkenfamilie. Former drum corps director awaiting trial in sex assault case sues for severance, Former drums corps director pleads no-contest to 2010 indecent assault, Closure of YEA is final chapter in series of struggles over the years, Fire broke out in a Lower Macungie apartment building, Champions of Magic's Alex McAleer gives an exciting look at the upcoming live show, Pet of the Month: Nina from Ruff Life Rescue, Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor needs volunteers, Allentown Public Library celebrates Dr. Seuss's birthday with children's activities, Kindness Project teams up with Flavor Nation to give away free tacos, History's Headlines: The Lehigh Valley's music man, Berks County Parks invites people to their Winter Wellness Walk, Royals host "kids takeover" game where kids get a taste of the sports business, Wilson School students raise $83k to fight childhood cancer, Berks County Intermediate Unit receives $3.18 million in grants for Head Start programs, 'First in the nation' bill to provide free screenings for breast cancer to receive full Pa. Senate vote, Reading Area Water Authority looking for leak on North Heidelberg Township line, Former Penn State Berks soccer player among dead in violent Monroe County crash, Biden expected to tighten rules on US investment in China, Paid express lanes grow more popular in once-reluctant South, Ukraine ally Kallas fights for reelection in Estonia vote, In Chicago, adapting electric buses to winters challenges, Pot vote has Oklahoma hungry to rake in green from Texas, Global race to boost electric vehicle range in cold weather, In Britain, warm hubs emerge to beat soaring energy costs, 6 Nigerian states drop suit to void presidential vote result, The implications of Walgreens' decision on abortion pills, What the Tech? In 1996, sponsorship of the corps was passed to Youth Education in the Arts (YEA), an umbrella organization sponsoring several youth and musical activities. YEA rejects ex-director's resignation, fires him amid allegations, New twists appear in relation to former Cadets Director George Hopkins, Investigation underway into YEA! Thank you again for the opportunity and best of luck. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. As promised, here is Part 1, of an eight part interview/discussion with the designers and teachers of the Cadets 1983-84-85, the holders of the first Drum Corps International three-peat, and . Consent matters.. Hopkins was also accused of sexually assaulting another woman in Allentown in 2008. Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony also fined Hopkins $5,000, the most allowed by law, and called him flatly disgusting.. The corps quickly became one of the top competitive corps in the country. The corps felt that not only were they having their creative potential as artistic performing groups stifled, but they were being financially starved. George Hopkins, exiting court in Allentown in December 2018, pleaded no contest Thursday to indecent assault. But with the end of 2015, other changes occured. It is clear that this is not something you are okay with. This has directed more than enough negative attention to the Cadets when in reality, it should be pointed at George Hopkins himself. The defense maintains that the video is very different than what Beyer later told investigators and that the entire video is necessary to mount a proper defense. Hopkins, 61, has not been charged and denies criminal wrongdoing. Error! All that was claimed to have happened didnt happen. By Staff. The Cadets of Bergen County won DCI Championships in 1990, '93, '98, and 2000. I felt so used.". Cadets Drum Corps Sep 1982 - Apr 2018 35 years 8 months . But if that is the consensus of the alumni maybe WE should ensure that there will be a future for the CADET organization! Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. They wanted to shed a light on his behavior and for him to have a criminal record, he said. Ryan Macpherson, who hails from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota, will start his work as dean of the college on Aug. 1. George Hopkins 247 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). Calhoun ended up pulling a hamstring, but wasnt sent to a clinic for treatment. The Inquirer is telling me I need to go to another source, and there isnt one, he argued. Morning call file photo/Special to The Morning Call, Former Allentown Cadets band leader pleads no, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Former Allentown Cadets band leader pleads no contest to indecent assault; judge calls him disgusting, Trump supporters who drove Hummer with guns and ammo to Philadelphia vote-counting site spared more jail time, Paul Muschick: Would money motivate Pennsylvania businesses to move to a four-day work week? He followed that with eight additional DCI World Championships, most Drum Corps International, the sanctioning body for competition youth drum corps events, said in a statement that it was "deeply concerned" by the allegations against Hopkins. . Calhoun marched in 2016 and 2017 before leaving the corps in July of his second year in the midst of mental and physical illness, compounded by the rigors of tour. The negligence comes from a lot of places, Connell said. 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. 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. Calhoun said, careful not to sound arrogant, that he was a solid corps member. Shes four years removed from the corps now, and married. It wasnt rape and it wasnt sexual assault, Bergstrom said. Caren Blundetto-Frech John Hannigan, is there more than one child? wondering if he would be able to field and/or finance a corps, and ended 1983 "I just kept saying no, don't do this, I don't want to do this," said Marie, who said she went by her middle name at work. Philly.com reported the alleged misconduct ranged from lewd comments and groping to rape. The charges stemmed from alleged incidents involving two women. Hopkins needs Help From George Hopkins . Youth Education in. 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. Folks were upset, nothing new, but this time, the anger took a more aggressive approach. [2][3], In the second half of the Sixties, the Garfield Cadets became more of an also-ran than a champion. 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]. But I never said yes," said Linda Riley. Please know, you lose many, many GREAT people because of the reasons I listed and more. Hopkins earned about $177,000 in 2017, according to the nonprofit's financial statements. Marched in the Holts Hornets from 1968-1970. 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. It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. For those of you who do not follow the drum corps news, George Hopkins recently resigned as the director of the Cadets because of sexual misconduct allegations from nine women. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Falk declined to comment afterward on whether the two sides were discussing a plea deal. 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. Never thought for once you were a liar!! and USBands affects the lives of tens of thousands of students each year and I feel humbled to have played a small part in that. On Wednesday, he told Lehigh County Judge James Anthony that the Inquirer has refused to provide the full video. The charge to which Hopkins pleaded no contest stemmed from one victim who said she was sexually assaulted in 2010 at age 26, and who provided her account to The Inquirer in 2018. 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. The story of George's van trip to Mississippi and Louisiana Exercise was often used as punishment for messing up. Youth Education in the Arts governs the Allentown Cadets drum corps. The woman told police that when she stood up to leave the bar, she felt like she was moving in Jello..
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