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. Hopkins, 63, was accused of sexual assault and harassment by nine women in a 2018 Inquirer article. Two additional women, including Beyer, came forward within days to say they were also victims. "There were some tears. I believe you, Calhoun said, I am worthless. How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. Edwin Garrity of the Holy Name Catholic parish in Garfield, New Jersey founded the Holy Name Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in 1934 as an activity for the boys in the parish. 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. The Troopers initially denied wrongdoing, but later issued a statement apologizing for its defensive posture after facing a social media backlash. Calhoun ended up pulling a hamstring, but wasnt sent to a clinic for treatment. YEA! The charge to which Hopkins pleaded no contest stemmed from a woman who said she was sexually assaulted in 2010. In 2022, The Cadets entered into a partnership with the Erie Sports Center as the new spring training site for the corps' May-June rehearsals. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets' parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. reached a settlement in January 2019. U kunt uw keuzes te allen tijde wijzigen door te klikken op de links 'Privacydashboard' op onze sites en in onze apps. Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony also fined Hopkins $5,000, the most allowed by law, and called him flatly disgusting.. (CAE). This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. and only for this show no black uniform. DCI.org: For the uninitiated, give us a brief history of YEA!'s relationship with the Crossmen. Hopkins surrendered to authorities, was arraigned, and was released on $50,000 bail with a preliminary hearing scheduled for December 4. 39K subscribers in the drumcorps community. Many of the women who spoke to Philly.com said they felt empowered to come forward by the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct that has toppled powerful men in news and entertainment. The prosecution on Wednesday did not take a position on the defenses request. Newspapers publish newsworthy items all the time, and they cant be dragged into court every single time a defense attorney wants to know what other information is out there, Berry said. In a no-contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. 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. By The Morning Call PUBLISHED: November 14, 2018 at 1:05 a.m. | UPDATED: November 14, 2018 at 1:32 a.m. Thank you again for the opportunity and best of luck. They became the 507 Hornets -- I marched there from 1971-1974. [16] Hopkins and YEA! As temperatures have plunged this winter, water use has risen. 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. The only ones that thought it was the kiss ass GH puppets/groupies/cult members. ; Last edited on 15 February 2023, at 17:00, United States Scholastic Band Association, "corpsreps.com The Drum Corps Repertoire Database", "Determination: Believing in the Midwest Combine", "Bang the Drum Slowly: A Championship Drum and Bugle Corps Leaves the State", "The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps: A history of alleged sexual abuse", "Statement from the Board of Directors of Youth Education in the Arts", "YEA! In the criminal case, prosecutors alleged Hopkins, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, sexually assaulted a former employee at his Allentown apartment, after they met at a bar to discuss drum corps rules. II, III, & IV) by, The Pines of the Appian Way & The Pines of Villa Borghese by, Devotions: Kyrie Eleison, Simple Song, De Profundis, Agnus Dei, Things Get Broken, Pax: Communion, and Offeratory (all from Mass by Leonard Bernstein) with incidental music by Drew Shanefield, Tom Aungst & Omar Carmenates, O Holy Name (Traditional) / Opening Scene by Drew Shanefield, Tom Aungst, and Omar Carmenates / Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel / Sensemaya by, Adrenaline City by Adam Gorb / St. Louis Blues by, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1990 (tie), 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 1983, 1984 (tie), 1987 (tie), 1990 (tie), 1993, 1998, 1983, 1984 (3-way tie), 1985 (tie), 1987 (tie), 1995 (3-way tie), This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 17:00. It is clear that this is not something you are okay with. [2][3], In 1958, the Holy Name parish declined to support the corps' travel and disbanded the corps. Anthony warned Hopkins that if he violated any conditions of probation, he could be sent to a state prison. Overall, the deficit was about $200,000. "' The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps . They sleep on hard gym floors, take water breaks on the run and get an average of one. On Wednesday, he told Lehigh County Judge James Anthony that the Inquirer has refused to provide the full video. Marching as the Cadets of Garfield; wearing uniforms of white shorts, red golf shirts, and "Aussie" hats; and using instruments borrowed from the Chicago Cavaliers, the corps managed to finish in second place (one spot ahead of the defending champion Cavaliers). Hopkins did not testify Thursday. 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. Success! 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). 253 votes, 88 comments. I get up because Ive done the work to make myself whole and understand the evil that was done to me was not because of me, but because of you.. Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Casper Star-Tribune. Success! 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"). You have permission to edit this article. It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. Error! ), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. He now is awaiting trial in Lehigh County on charges of sexually assaulting two of the women. Midway through the 1959 season, the parish allowed the corps to once more wear the uniform that remains their trademark. 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 . The parent organization of the Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps has settled part of a lawsuit by its former CEO George Hopkins over his salary and benefits after he was fired in the wake. He resigned from his post in early April amid sexual assault allegations, but the YEA board said it was firing Hopkins. ACLU says it could take legal action over Saucon Valley School District rescinding approval for After School Satan Club, Big rig crashes from I-81 bridge onto street below in Schuylkill, 'He was a very humble guy': Reading High soccer coach remembers player killed in Route 33 crash, Eat, Sip, Shop: Refresh your ride at new Lehigh County store, selling high-quality car detailing products, Defense says accused former drums corps director weighing plea deal. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. Its clear from the video that its been edited, and that the Inquirer has chosen to show only portions of the interview, he said. But this isnt the military. "For 86 years, The Cadets have been leaders and innovators in performing arts education," Bonfiglio said. This is art. 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. After the allegations surfaced, Hopkins resigned in April and was then fired by a new board of directors. 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. Her twin sister, Linda Riley, also a Cadet, said Hopkins had sex with her without her consent two summers later, when she was 19. She said that one evening in 2008, Hopkins asked her to come to his Allentown apartment to do some work. Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. This is the resignation letter from the director of USBands (a YEA program that helps fund The Cadets) and reveals some interesting information. He's due back in court in February. which will ALWAYS take priority over my work. 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. The story of George's van trip to Mississippi and Louisiana Im angry. Taught numerous bands. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office. Its a very difficult question, Anthony said. On Friday, October 6, 2017, 10:08 PM, XXXX XXXX XXXX@XXXX.com wrote: This letter is to inform you of my resignation as Director of USBands, effective immediately. 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. The dozen women who accused Hopkins of harassment ranged in age from 16 to 37 at the time of the alleged incidents, which dated to 1980. Hopkins, 63, is awaiting trial on three counts of felony sexual assault. [15], In response to Hopkins suing YEA! 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. Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. The Crossmen of San Antonio, Texas perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. Shes four years removed from the corps now, and married. It wasnt rape, and it wasnt sexual assault, Bergstrom said. And I never said no. I felt so used.". George Hopkins, exiting court in Allentown in December 2018, pleaded no contest Thursday to indecent assault. For more than 30 years, George Hopkins has been a major proponent of changes in instrumentation, education and contest guidelines, such as initiating the use of band instruments, electronics, removal of sidelines and other alternatives. In an online post last year, Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear by those who disagreed with his management. Two more women say they were raped by George Hopkins, bringing to 11 the number who have accused the former drum and bugle corps director of sexual misconduct. I want the victims to know that what you did was horrible beyond description, the judge said. George Hopkins has been charged in Lehigh County with two counts of sexual assault. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. Calhoun said, careful not to sound arrogant, that he was a solid corps member. Read more Kyle Monroe by Tricia L. Nadolny In a fast-paced competitive environment like the Troopers, Calhoun said his mental illness problems soon led to physical injuries. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Error! 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.". Please know, you lose many, many GREAT people because of the reasons I listed and more. 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. George Hopkins, longtime director of the Cadets drum corps, resigns after sexual misconduct allegations April 6, 2018, 7:20 AM The decorated director of The Cadets drum and bugle corps. At the first DCI World Championships in Whitewater, Wisconsin, the Cadets just missed making Finals and finished in thirteenth place in a competition that featured thirty-nine corps from the East, the South, the West Coast, the Midwest and Great Plains, and Canada. The judge set a Dec. 17 hearing on the defenses motion to dismiss the charges. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. I want to see what else is in that video that is dramatically different than what she told detectives two months later, Bergstrom said. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. The Casper Troopers perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening. The Cadets began operating independently of YEA! 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. organization was immediately put on a probationary status by DCI with the statement that, "The terms of the probation include multiple steps for YEA! 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. amid sexual allegations, Allentown Cadets board resigns amid allegations against ex-drum corps director, Defense says accused former drums corps director weighing plea deal. You have permission to edit this article. 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. READ MORE: Nine women from Allentowns elite Cadets drum corps accuse director George Hopkins of sexual abuse and harassment. In addition to The Cadets, YEA! Allentown's Cadets drum and bugle corps forming non-profit, separating from YEA! It took a summer without performances, said Connell, for people to step back and realize that what they thought was tough love was actually systemic negligence. 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. Nickelodeons Kids Choice Awards: What Is Slime, and Why Do We Love It? 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. During his tenure, Hopkins took the Cadets to 10 world championships and was an icon in the drum corps community. to recruit potential members is a Cadet legend. 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. Since the assault in the apartment occurred in 2010, before a recent amendment to Megans Law, Hopkins is not subject to sexual offender registration. His arrival was fortuitous, because the Cadets were in crisis - lacking staff, They wanted to shed a light on his behavior and for him to have a criminal record, he said. Hopkins had worked for The Cadets since 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. Drum and bugle corps perform intricate routines that incorporate music, marching, dance and color guards. The Inquirer is telling me I need to go to another source, and there isnt one, he argued. For the rest of the force, that means longer hours and fewer days off while earning less than peers . Board of Directors Resigns, New Board to Guide Organization", "Former drum corps director George Hopkins charged with sexual assault", "Finding no resignation letter, YEA board fired Hopkins with no severance", "DCI action on YEA! as of March 31, 2020. 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. She said she told Hopkins no but was unable to fight off his sexual advances. This action was taken in reaction to the rigid, inflexible rules of the American Legion and VFW (the primary rule makers and sponsors of both corps and shows) and the low or nonexistent performance fees paid for appearing in the various competitions. People are using more water. 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. 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]. What is clear ---I need an assistant. 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.. The group keeps up a grueling practice and travel schedule, performing throughout the United States. Consent matters.. 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. [13] The corps' compliance with the terms of probation was sufficient for DCI to allow the corps to compete in 2018, and the probation was lifted in May 2019. [2][3], The Garfield Cadets relocated outside Garfield to Hackensack and became the Cadets of Bergen County in 1989. Hopkins did not testify Thursday. For members of the Casper-based Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps, summer is hardly a vacation. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. Allentown Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps separated from YEA and became the nonprofit Cadets Arts & Entertainment Inc. in May, stating it had lost $1.5 million in sponsorships, donations, and ticket sales after the allegations against Hopkins were made public in the 2018 Inquirer account. 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. George Hopkins, the former director of Allentown's famed Cadets drum corps, was charged Tuesday with sexually assaulting two former employees, another striking turn in what had been an illustrious, four-decade-long career that took Hopkins to the top of the national youth activity. During training, 150 members aged 14 to 22 rehearse for 12 hours a day, on their feet from morning to night. 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. Bergstrom reiterated his position that he cant effectively prepare a defense without access to the full interview. Hopkins is facing two sexual assault charges after nearly a dozen women came forward with allegations in 2018. In 2003, Yea! For the 1971 season, the corps stuck together, offering show promoters the five corps as a package. Hopkins earned about $177,000 in 2017, according to the nonprofit's financial statements. The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field in July 2018. As presented, the Cadets did turn to Black renditions of the Cadets uniforms at the end of 2015. Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. 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. Updated Nov 13, 2018. 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. All that was claimed to have happened didnt happen. At 192 beats per minute.. 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. In 1937, the corps song, "O Holy Name", was written for the corps. agreed to take over the assets and liabilities of the Crossmen in 1997. But instead, he encountered a disorganized administrative team that seemed to be improvising on the job. 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. In 1969, the corps became coed. [8] On April 11, the Board of Directors tendered its resignation and a new Board and officers immediately took over operations of the organization. You can cancel at any time. In 1996, sponsorship of the corps was passed to Youth Education in the Arts (YEA), an umbrella organization sponsoring several youth and musical activities. With director gone, Troopers now face deep-seated culture of negligence. But, as Connell says, the problem is much deeper than a couple of creeps. has taken furt, Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault.