CLICK HERE. *Troubling new questions, including concerns of human trafficking, broadside Eastside boys and girls programs. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. ", "I'm the victim because I'm the one who is out of school for six months," Ejiofor said last month. No one was seriously injured in the melee. From the beginning of our coverage, we have been focused on three distinct Thornblade-related scandals: 1) Allegations of embezzlement involving the neighborhood golf club, 2) allegations of a prostitution ring (or sex ring) involving several Thornblade residents, and 3) allegations involving an athletics team at a government-run high school in nearby Taylors, S.C. which are said to be somehow connected to the prostitution/ sex ring accusations. "The post included a video with offensive content that will not be tolerated. Ortiz found himself leaving practice many nights in tears, wondering why this coach brought him to New Jersey if he didn't let him step onto the court. Agents of the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) could soon be called upon to join an investigation into a myriad of allegations involving the exclusive Thornblade neighborhood and its scandal-scarredcountry club, multiple law enforcement and prosecutorial sources tell this news outlet. ", "The administrative changes were intended to support the board's vision for the school's future. Absolutely. Paterson officials 'highly troubled' by latest bombshell in scandal that began with report of 6 overseas players living in coach's condo and widened to include concerns of human trafficking. NJSIAA officials say they will take action in wake of NJ Advance Media's reporting. Aquino was moved to a Prospect Park apartment with a district employee, an arrangement that "was supposed to last a couple weeks." This news outlet has leaned consistently libertarian in its coverage, and in addition to supporting all manner of consensual sex we have gone so far in the past as to editorialize on behalf of decriminalizing prostitution. Her stay with Ayala did not last long, according to coaches and the report, even though he is still listed as her guardian on school documents. Get more of Steve Lopezs work and follow him on Twitter @LATstevelopez. *Ugly accusations tearthrough highest levels of school. The connection was facilitated by Henry Ugboaja, the director of a prominent camp in Nigeria. She had sprouted to 6-foot-7 by the time she was 15, the tallest girl many in her small village had ever seen. A big shakeup happened at. Even adults gawked and teased her, the ESPN article said. Juan Griles,coach of the powerhouse boys basketball team, was among those fired by the Board of Education. All rights reserved (About Us). There are also blackmail allegations linked to the rumored prostitution/ sex ring. A care package loaded with supplies from his mother, sent to the address in Somerset, never appeared, either. All four ended up in Paterson, playing for the powerhouse teams at Eastside High School, now the focus of multiple state and local investigations after a series of NJ Advance Media reports. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). HSI agents have also reportedly been asking questions about Brian Gem Garrison - a former adjunct tennis coach at Eastside High School in Taylors, S.C. who was arrested and charged with. *N.J. lawmakers take steps to halt phony transcripts like ones used at Eastside. My mom, shes a housekeeper and she used to work at a house in the Palisades, and the lady had kids and was very school-oriented, said Azucena Hilario, a Bravo junior. While membership obviously had its privileges, the club apparently had a strict no cancellation policy. "That's an even bigger responsibility when you're leaving home to play. It was an unfortunate ending for Ejiofor, who otherwise excelled at Eastside. Phone 770-784-2920 | Fax 770-784-2918. Excellence for All Students Through Strong Relationships & Instructional Strategies Delivered by Effective Educators. The split-level home sits on a congested street, about six blocks from Eastside. Meanwhile, sources tell us the Greenville county sheriffs office which was first made aware of the allegations involving the clubs finances in May of this year has launched an internal investigation into the proximity of one of its officers to the related scandals. COVINGTON, Ga. - Students at Eastside High School are under fire after a social media post went viral showing discriminatory and racial remarks and actions. Should they lose their jobs? The turmoil weighed on Aquino, who confided in a teacher in 2015, according to the school report. The districts investigation last year had found that some players involved in the scandal had registered at Eastside, rather than through traditional channels. It took3teachers who risked everything tohelp the final 2 African players escape the mess at Eastside High. But Esteban, who admits crying when he read the first story about the Eastside scandal, said Selwyn was broken emotionally by Griles and couldn't wait to return to Puerto Rico after graduation in 2013. This decision was announced in an email that was sent to our community last night. For most of the kids working at the Beat, getting accepted to college is only the first hurdle. Olson, the recruiting analyst, said he watched Aquino play twice in January and marveled over her agility for a player of her size. He has won more than a dozen national journalism awards and is a four-time Pulitzer finalist. Got something youd like to say in response to one of our articles? State Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) called on Attorney General Christopher Porrino to investigate Paterson Eastside. 0:49. Eastside HS Athletic Department Contacts downloadable PDF . The Office of the Attorney General is reaching out to staffers at Eastside. Even the women making rice-and-beans in the back of the room stopped to snap photos. The video recording was sent via Snapchat to a lot of their buddies at Eastside Catholic and other Eastside high schools. 36-0 vote holds punishment for teams and former boys coach Juan Griles. 2 Morristown, 45-40, the No. Over the weekend, Shafer reached out to Mayor Andre Sayegh and Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale and was put in contact with . *A Star-Ledger Editorial: Report flawed by 'unexpectedly bizarre conclusion', Justice Wallace's work is "relentlessly ignorant of those who coach sports on this level. ASB. Boys and girls teams face state tournament bans. Be permanently banned from teaching and/ or coaching? She deserves this opportunity. "I ended up in Jersey.". The players came to Paterson Eastside from Nigeria, Paraguay and Puerto Rico in search of their own hoops dream. That trust has cost her a scholarship to Vanderbilt and forced her back to Africa, where she remains a prisoner of immigration rules. Eastside High School. *State athletics group orders hearing into Eastside. When he contacted Lyde, the coach offered a spot on his team and free housing. Email Audrey Bass at asbass@greenville.k12.sc.us with any questions! Those fortunes changed when a man in her neighborhood snapped photos of Aquino and sent them to the Paraguay Basketball Federation, which invited herto train alongside the country's finest players in the nation's capital. The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, or NJSIAA, recruiting sanctions against Eastside stemmed from a series of stories by the Star-Ledger exposing the fact that six players from Puerto Rico and Nigeria were living at Griles Paterson condominium. The game was held at Cherry Hill East High School, a neutral site for both teams. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. He asked to play with the junior varsity just to prove he belonged. 1 Union City. There are also blackmail allegations linked to the rumored prostitution/ sex ring. "Especially because it was our kids who had to suffer the most because of this.. Andrea Aquino began her journey in Paraguay. CLICK HERE. Paterson Eastside High School basketball ban upheld by state commissioner, Paterson names new coach for Eastside girls basketball team, Michael Baker named boys basketball coach as Eastside looks to rebound from scandal, Paterson picks new AD to replace one fired in Eastside hoops scandal, Lawyer says Paterson Eastside coach victim of fake news in hoops scandal, Paterson's Eastside loses appeal of ban from state basketball tourney, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Fired coach wonders: How did I become guardian for 7-foot Nigerian player? Thirteen faculty members quit in protest, most of them teachers. Our district prepared and addressed each step of the Corrective Action Plan,and as a result of our follow-up on each area, we have received several positive reports from the NJSIAA monitor regarding our current 2017-18 athletic programs, said Terry Corallo, the district spokeswoman. For example, we reported earlier this week that HSI agents have been asking questions about Brian Gem Garrison - a former adjunct tennis coach at Eastside High School in Taylors, S.C. who was . The report painted a grim picture of an emotionally distressed and helpless teenager, thousands of miles from home. It has also prompted an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) although it is not initially clear which component of the multi-faceted situation the feds are focused on. "I am innocent and didn't know any better," Ejiofor said. In her resignation letter teacher Lisa Abraham wrote, "Justyna stands up for each, individual student. Some kids are saying, Oh, youre only taking two APs. Donald Trump Teases Delay Of 2020 Election, Internet Goes Bonkers, SC Teen Honor Student Falsely Accused Of Attempted Murder In Mall Shooting, Lawsuit Says, SC Vocational Rehab Scandal: Report Issued, Clemson Universitys Office Of Planned Giving Is Living In An Alternative Reality Right Now, South Carolina Insurance Fraud Sting: 18 Charged, LIVE FEED Murdaugh Murders Trial: Day Twenty-Seven, South Carolina Freedom Caucus Files Lawsuit, Murdaugh Murders Trial: Attorney General Stands And Delivers. Coaches from the powerhouse Paterson Eastside's boys basketball team served as legal guardians to six playersand had them living in their homes. But the school district later decided not to pursue those charges. On Tuesday, New Jersey's governing body for high school sports levied an unprecedented level of sanctions against the Eastside boys and girls basketball programs, including a two-year state. Same goes for any attempt at blackmail. I think Eileen Shafer has done a tremendous job being proactive on this.. Having said all of that, there are criminal statutes on the books which protect minors in this state from being exploited and prevent adults from contributing to their delinquency. According to our sources, the Thornblade saga has elements that could potentially fall under both of these categories. Jio Fontan, a former Sparks coach and now the head coach at Queen of Peace High, said he worked closely with Aquino early in her New Jersey stay. *NJSIAA slams Eastside with unprecedented penalties. She applied to Yale in 2017 and paid an . Here's why, This is just tip of iceberg, senator says in demanding full probe, Eastside girls team out of states, multiple suspensions announced, Troubling new questions, including concerns of human trafficking, broadside Eastside boys and girls programs, Season's over: Eastside boys pull out of Passaic County Tournament, The (many!) News never stops. The Paterson Public School District announced wide-ranging penalties to its athletics department. As we previously reported, Thornblade club officials have acknowledged the existence ofserious financial irregularitiesrelated to the operations of the facility including alleged credit card fraud that was first reported earlier this year to the Greenville countysheriffs office. The Jordans have declined multiple requests for interviews, but Aquino appears to be well clothed, well cared for and her social media accounts suggest she is adjusting to life as an American teenager. Meanwhile, we have spoken with numerous Thornblade residents who have offered their own intimate insights into the situation. It was freezing in the house. Contact Us, 973-321-1000. "A coach is supposed to be like another father to you," Ortiz said. It happened during the Camden County. unanswered questions in the Paterson basketball scandal. But who would look at a student of privilege and wonder the same thing? Superintendent Katrina McCombs released the following statement on Friday afternoon: In the Camden City School District, we pride ourselves on sculpting scholar-athletes and students that understand the importance of character and integrity. Often, the players lived with coaches or other school employees. Father Heric remains our chaplain and community liaison. "Felix had problems in his household, and after that, that girl went from place to place," said a coach familiar with the events in Aquino's life that fall. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Our sources also tell us not all of the sex acts currently under the law enforcement microscope were necessarily consensual which would be criminal under any circumstances. CLICK HERE. We had hope," said Selwyn's older brother, Esteban, who joined him in Paterson at their father's insistence. Unfortunately, there are a pair of federal investigations underway related to the saga which first popped up on our radar screen almost two months ago. - Karen Hatch, Eastside Catholic, Marketing and Communications Director. *School suspends hoops coach who had 6 overseas players living with him. Here's why. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Thanks To Our Sponsors. Teachers are concerned those athletes are not being supported academically. They had to be heard. "You gotta call her coach and whoever. The college admissions cheating scandal is roiling some of Southern California's most elite prep schools, . Meanwhile, the adults linked to Aquino -- Ayala, Lyde, Sparks founder Shane Gerald and Sparks coach Keith Gilchrist -- have not responded to numerous phone calls and text messages asking about the player. Steve Lopez is a California native who has been a Los Angeles Times columnist since 2001. He retired at the end of June. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. We are disappointed that these students engaged in this inappropriate behavior. "She's obviously confused and doesn't understand what's going on. The injured boy is 16 years old. Additionally, our news outlet has been sharply critical in the past of law enforcement investigations conducted into allegedly lewd and lascivious conduct. (Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com). The big picture is this: We are working to restore our school's previous administrative structure. Some of the Sparks' coaches also are on the Eastside girls staff. Wealthy celebrities and business executives allegedly paid small fortunes to rig their kids SAT scores, bribe coaches and gain entrance to elite colleges, in some cases taking tax deductions for bribes disguised as charitable donations. More:Paterson picks new AD to replace one fired in Eastside hoops scandal, More:Lawyer says Paterson Eastside coach victim of fake news in hoops scandal, More:Paterson's Eastside loses appeal of ban from state basketball tourney. Thats not their job. "She's a mature, strong kid and she's hanging in there," Vanderbilt head coach Stephanie Smith said earlier this year. We came to Eastside on a very big lie.". She appears to be living in the home owned by Shirley Jordan where the Nigerian players also stayed; NJ Advance Media observed Aquino leave the home and head to school the morning of March 21. Most found something much closer to a nightmare. Both the Paterson Eastside High boys and girls basketball teams have seen an influx of international players enter their programs, raising concerns over immigration statuses. ", "As I'm sure you can understand, I am not able to provide specific personnel details. The Camden City School District said Friday that both teams have been withdrawn from the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) state tournament. A second male student then appears on screen and states, "Remember, *explicit removed* the Mexicans. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. "Over there if you're that tall, you're like a monster. I found out in late June of this year that my wife, Jennifer Mathews, had engaged in multiple extramarital activities, Mathews said in the statement. EHS. The veterans still call him "the rookie," but Selwyn hopes it'll be "Rookie of the Year" when the season ends. As we exclusively reported on July 23, 2020, allegations ofserious financial irregularitiesatthe prestigiousThornblade Clubpromptedan investigationby the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) an agency with broad jurisdictional authority when it comes to cyber-enabled financial crimes.. In addition, the changes were announced very close to the start of the school year, which caused a lot of consternation. Eileen Shafer, the schools superintendent, submitted a status report on the 50-step plan to the New Jersey Board of Education during a recent meeting in Trenton. The now-deceased woman who owned the house, the brothers said, was a drug addict who regularly used while they were upstairs. Our number one objective at the district is to raise students that meet the standards that we set for society and that we want our very own children to embody.Nevertheless, last night, at the Cherry Hill High School East gym those standards were severely undermined by an incident between Camden High School and Eastside High School during the championship game of the Camden County Basketball Tournament.Let me be clear, I am saddened and disappointed with the conflict from last night, but I believe we need to make this a learning experience for our student body.Furthermore, we know meaningful action must be taken and it must be done swiftly which is why the District will be withdrawing both teams from NJSIAA tournament play.This initiative is being taken to ensure that our scholar-athletes know that accountability for their actions is paramount not only in basketball but also in the larger game of life. PATERSON As a result of the basketball recruiting scandal that rocked Eastside High School in 2017, more than 100 Paterson sports coaches this year were required to pass a test . Asked if he cared to comment, he shifted in his wheelchair and said he wanted to go to college but didnt know how hed ever come up with the money, so hes doing whatever he can. What if she owed money to drug dealers? Paterson Eastside High's boys basketball team has been infused with talented players from Puerto Rico and Nigeria. "It was hell," Ortiz said. In the fall of 2015, officials from her high school filed a report to the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly the Department of Youth and Family Services). According to our sources, the deputy in question was not disciplined by the sheriffs office however he is likely to be questioned by HSI regarding his alleged knowledge of the various scandals and proximity to some of its protagonists. Theres the front door, which is you get through yourself. Edwin Rodriguez said he paid Griles $900 a month for an apartment for Selwyn, then 17, and Esteban, then 24. But their jobs dont cover all the bills, Andrea said, so when her mother gets home after her Friday night shift, she prepares the pupusas, then steals an hour of sleep before selling them Saturday morning with Andreas 14-year-old sister. I am sure we can agree that getting our kids back to school and focused on their studies, their friendships and their future's is the important goal, and we look forward to doing just that.".
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