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. "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. 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. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. ALLENTOWN, Pa. | The defense attorney for the former drum corps director accused of sexual assault is demanding that a newspaper turn over its unedited video interview of his clients accuser in order to prepare a proper defense. Hopkins did not testify Thursday. I dont know a single person who marched drum corps and didnt have complaints.. Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. 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. After the allegations surfaced, Hopkins resigned in April and was then fired by a new board of directors. Philly.com reported the alleged misconduct ranged from lewd comments and groping to rape. 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. But I never said yes," said Linda Riley. Allentown's Cadets drum and bugle corps forming non-profit, separating from YEA! [16] Hopkins and YEA! We could soon find out, A windy, cloudy Saturday for the Lehigh Valley, but the sun will come out tomorrow, Six years after hazing death, Penn State plans to drop the Greek life oversight it championed. In a fast-paced competitive environment like the Troopers, Calhoun said his mental illness problems soon led to physical injuries. Since the assault in the apartment occurred in 2010, before a recent amendment to Megans Law, Hopkins is not subject to sexual offender registration. On the social media site Medium.com former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins writes: , Sexual assault charges have been filed against the former director of the famed Allentown Ca. Hopkins needs Help From George Hopkins . 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. I expect my final paycheck on October 18 which should include the agreed upon amount for moving expenses that has not been paid since starting in February 2017. 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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. 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. (A similar group of Midwestern corps, the Midwest Combine, was formed by the Blue Stars, Cavaliers, Madison Scouts, Santa Clara Vanguard, and the Troopers.) "He's like, 'Are you all right?' [19] On May 1, 2020, The Cadets announced the creation of a new 501(c)3 non-profit organization: Cadets Arts & Entertainment, Inc. Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. For the 1971 season, the corps stuck together, offering show promoters the five corps as a package. Hopkins had worked for The Cadets since 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. 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. The charge to which Hopkins pleaded no contest stemmed from a woman who said she was sexually assaulted in 2010. In 198385, the Garfield Cadets became the first DCI corps to earn a three-peatthree consecutive DCI titles. This is the performing arts, you dont need to be like this.. 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. 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. There was an error processing your request. I want the victims to know that what you did was horrible beyond description, the judge said, READ MORE: Report: Drum corps leader threw things at work, called women little girls. Chapter 5 Staff changes and letters to the board of directors . She said he showed up at her apartment one morning, begged her for sex, then pushed her on the bed and raped her. 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. 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. George Hopkins, the director of The Cadets, talks about the 2017 show, "The Faithful, The Fallen, The Forgiven." George talks about the process of designing the show, the use of the singers, the three different uniforms worn by the corps, and about the issues the activity is facing around amplification Hopkins is out on $50,000 bail. Calhoun ended up pulling a hamstring, but wasnt sent to a clinic for treatment. ", She said she didn't file a rape report or inform the board of directors because Hopkins seemed "untouchable.". Nickelodeons Kids Choice Awards: What Is Slime, and Why Do We Love It? Als u niet wilt dat wij en onze partners cookies en persoonsgegevens voor deze aanvullende doeleinden gebruiken, klik dan op 'Alles weigeren'. All that was claimed to have happened didnt happen. organization was immediately put on a probationary status by DCI with the statement that, "The terms of the probation include multiple steps for YEA! 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. All that was claimed to have happened didnt happen. 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. The Troopers Alumni band open during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. Executive Director, Youth Education in the Arts Director, nine-time DCI World Championship Cadets D&B Corps Social Studies Teacher: Aston Township HS (PA) 1979-80 Band Director: Northern Highlands High School (NJ), 1984 Based in Erie, Pennsylvania, The Cadets was one of the thirteen founding corps of Drum Corps International (DCI), is a ten-time DCI World Champion, and is the oldest continuously active junior drum and bugle corps in North America.[1]. "There were some tears. 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. Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. Caren Blundetto-Frech This would be more appropriately titled as a BLACK SATURDAY sale . 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. Cadets are in troubleGH loves it that way.He wants there to be no Cadets if something happens to him.Cadets are in trouble for the FUTURE!!! 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. On April 5, 2018, allegations were made in published reports that the longstanding corps director, George Hopkins, sexually harassed or abused multiple members of the corps and staff over a period of years. This time, people considered dramatic steps to change the face of the Cadets and for all time, to shift the trajectory of the most honored drum and bugle corps in history. 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. An order filed Tuesday in. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Success! YEA! Falk said the victims were in agreement with the plea negotiation. In her 2018 account to The Inquirer, that woman, Jessica Beyer, said she had marched with the Cadets and was hired to work for the group the following year at age 22. George Hopkins. If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. The Troopers initially denied wrongdoing, but later issued a statement apologizing for its defensive posture after facing a social media backlash. During his tenure, Hopkins took the Cadets to 10 world championships and was an icon in the drum corps community. [6] The only junior drum and bugle corps older than The Cadets is the Racine Scouts, which was founded in 1927. Im angry. People are using more water. After their third Finals appearance in 1980, the Cadets quickly regained the corps' former championship form. 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. "For 86 years, The Cadets have been leaders and innovators in performing arts education," Bonfiglio said. 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. 253 votes, 88 comments. 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. In 1996, sponsorship of the corps was passed to Youth Education in the Arts (YEA), an umbrella organization sponsoring several youth and musical activities. . Did march in the band at West Chester University in Pennsylvania for one year. In a high-profile case that came to light in 2018, a former director of the Allentown Cadets was accused of sexual misconduct ranging from verbal harassment to rape by 12 women, several of them former corps members. "And he did it anyway. Hopkins was also charged with sexually assaulting another woman in Allentown; that charge was dropped as part of an agreement that led to Thursdays plea. [5] In January 2009, The Cadets marched in President Barack Obama's Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. You need complete concentration on everything you do because if you dont, you could get someone else hurt or you can hurt yourself, Calhoun said. [21] Committees were created in the areas of Health and Wellness, Equality and Inclusion, Performing Arts Education, Governance, and Finance. U kunt uw keuzes te allen tijde wijzigen door te klikken op de links 'Privacydashboard' op onze sites en in onze apps. 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. money, and members. One in four trooper positions are vacant. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets' parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. She told police that she passed out in his apartment and, when she woke up, Hopkins was gone. How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? 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. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. On Wednesday, he told Lehigh County Judge James Anthony that the Inquirer has refused to provide the full video. 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. Overall, the deficit was about $200,000. Brisk with west to northwest winds around 10-20mph gusting to 30mph.. Mostly cloudy with less wind and a few breaks in the clouds overnight. George Hopkins 260 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). As part of the plea deal, prosecutors withdrew two charges of felony sexual assault and added the indecent assault count, a misdemeanor, to which Hopkins pleaded no contest. Read more JESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer and only for this show no black uniform. Not someone who wants to be an assistant. wondering if he would be able to field and/or finance a corps, and ended 1983 "This is a painful moment for all those who care about The Cadets," Youth Education in the Arts, the nonprofit that runs The Cadets, said in a statement on its website. As temperatures have plunged this winter, water use has risen. I just felt like, Well, youre right. He resigned from his post in early April amid sexual assault allegations, but the YEA board said it was firing Hopkins. 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.. In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. This has directed more than enough negative attention to the Cadets when in reality, it should be pointed at George Hopkins himself. 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).