Upon learning of this fact, we separated and I filed for divorce in July., Mathews added that he was aware that there is an investigation being conducted and that while he was not a suspect in any illegal activity, I am cooperating fully with law enforcement and will continue to do so.. There are also blackmail allegations linked to the rumored prostitution/ sex ring. That's room and board, she has to eat and that takes money. I think Eileen Shafer has done a tremendous job being proactive on this.. The Office of the Attorney General is reaching out to staffers at Eastside. PATERSON A security guard at Eastside High School has been removed from his job after allegations surfaced this week about "inappropriate contact" between him and a student, officials said. 2023 Cox Media Group. *State vows to crack down on international player recruiting. unanswered questions in the Paterson basketball scandal. On Saturday morning at the Boyle Heights Beat, a student-run journalism operation, the hot topic was the college entrance cheating scandal and how . This decision was announced in an email that was sent to our community last night. He was benched for a first-round state playoff game, and the reason seemed almost too cruel to believe. (Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com). coach blew up, NJSIAA demands 'full accounting' from hoops power with several overseas players, School suspends hoops coach who had 6 overseas players living with him. A Q and A about its creation, Decades later, 'Uncle Sam' billboard still sparks debate, VIDEO: President Trump Says 'Blame on Both Sides, I Wait for Facts', Woman loses $29K after being targeted by banking scam with victims in 9 states, Driver killed after car goes off overpass in Georgetown, Puyallup teen considered suicide after school beating, Cheerleader performs solo after team quits before state championships, Kent police investigating kidnapping after car stolen with 2 kids inside. I used to play against them and perform good. Our current administrative structure has been undergoing some review and change. Calendar & Category Legend: Eastside High School. Matthew Stanmyre may be reached at mstanmyre@njadvancemedia.com. Based on all the feedback, we realized that both the changes and their timing were a mistake. But how do you know? Rodriguez scored 20 points in a head-to-head matchup with Karl-Anthony Towns, who eventually became the No. Aquino made it to the U.S. after a Paterson resident named Felix Ayala discovered her playing on ESPN, according to an internal school report obtained by NJ Advance Media. No one was seriously injured in the melee. What if they came knocking on the door?". The big picture is this: We are working to restore our school's previous administrative structure. The scuffle broke out with four minutes left in the second quarter of the game. *15 questions we still want answered after taxpayer-funded special report. Their experiences cover six years and account for four of at least 13 players NJ Advance Media has identified as coming through Eastside's ambitious and bold pipeline. Instead, he ended up in a cramped, uncomfortable attic, fearful of the woman on the floors below, her drug habit and the visitors she attracted. Supervisor of Athletics at Eastside High School phone: 973 321-0515 Email: thill@paterson.k12.nj.us. According to our sources, Mathews was grilled for more than three hours by investigators. The districts status update on the plan says none of its employees reported taking transfer students into their homes or becoming their guardians. Faculty members don't believe it and told KIRO 7 high school Principal Justyna King worked to improve the culture at the school, increased diversity and cared about academics for all students. So far, there has been no official acknowledgement of the seismic, sexually charged side of this investigation by anyone in law enforcement. *School forged transcripts in Eastside scandal. Here's why. And that consensual sex acts between individuals of consenting age are, well, consensual.. All four ended up in Paterson, playing for the powerhouse teams at Eastside High School, . Thats not their job. It took3teachers who risked everything tohelp the final 2 African players escape the mess at Eastside High. Our Upstate sources which include law enforcement officers, prosecutors, attorneys and private investigators, among others have conveyed a remarkably consistent narrative about what allegedly transpired behind the scenes in this exclusive enclave. NJ man had guns, ammo, fake marshal ID at airport: FBI, 'Havana syndrome' 'unlikely' caused by foreign adversary: US intel, Eli Lilly cuts insulin prices up to 70% amid pressure to slash costs. The video recording was sent via Snapchat to a lot of their buddies at Eastside Catholic and other Eastside high schools. 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. He waved sheepishly when his name was called at a press conference for the Vaqueros de Bayamon. "'An outstanding educator': Paterson Eastside High School principal dies," by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: "Gerald Glisson, who was principal of Paterson's Eastside High . Any charity interested in applying for Eastside's 2023-2024 Spirit Week can apply by filling out the application and submitting no later than March 24, 2023. We have already announced all these changes to our community and they are overwhelmingly supportive of moving forward. *State criminal investigators launch probe into Eastside. Selwyn Rodriguez and Christian Ortiz started their odyssey in Puerto Rico. "Especially because it was our kids who had to suffer the most because of this.. In addition, two Board members have stepped down. A closer look how the Paterson Eastside scandal has unfolded -- from a tip to a report detailing how 6 overseas players were living with the new-suspended coach of the powerhouse team. CLICK HERE. Eastside Catholic later issued the following statement: "Thank you for your interest in our school. In January, the NJSIAA representative assigned to monitor Patersons athletics program sent the district a letter saying he had checked the basketball roster against eligibility lists and transfer records. We are in the process of hiring an interim president. Teachers told KIRO 7 Eastside Catholic has buses that bring students who live far away to Eastside Catholic to play football -- with tuition paid for through the Independent School Association. The school board president at the time, Chris Irving, had said Johnson was being forced to retire as punishment. 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. Theres the back door, which [is] you pull strings and do donations and then theres the side door, which he kind of created. For now, however, he thinks about other opportunities he had after that big international tournament in 2011, and how his career might have been different had he never met Griles. According to our sources, most of the initial speculation has centered around Eastside High School in Taylors, S.C. and perhaps one other nearby school in the South Carolina government-run system. Even adults gawked and teased her, the ESPN article said. COVINGTON, Ga. - Students at Eastside High School are under fire after a social media post went viral showing discriminatory and racial remarks and actions. EHS. But the school district later decided not to pursue those charges. *NJSIAA slams Eastside with unprecedented penalties. She had sprouted to 6-foot-7 by the time she was 15, the tallest girl many in her small village had ever seen. For Andrea and fellow Boyle Heights Beat reporters, news of the $25-million college entrance racketeering scandal hit like a gut punch. It is not immediately clear, although some light was recently shed on the case when Greenville, S.C. insurance marketing executiveRick Mathewsissued a statement related to his recent divorce fromJennifer Mathews who runs a yoga and pilates studio in Greenville. The ongoing drama tied to this upscale Upstate neighborhood which was first reported by this news outlet a week ago has been dominating discussions in the greater Greenville, S.C. area. 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. She had left Nigeria to play basketball and study at Evelyn Mack Academy in Charlotte, determined to earn a scholarship to an American college. Once students fake their way in, do the parents keep paying to have someone fix the tests they take in class? In a practice last week with the Vaqueros, Selwyn finished every drill with a flourish. In the last week, these students have looked across the divide at youngsters their own age who live in an alternate universe of abundance and entitlement. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? A care package loaded with supplies from his mother, sent to the address in Somerset, never appeared, either. Finally, Evans had said that one of Eastsides principals, Karen Johnson, would not be disciplined because she was going to retire. Rodriguez left Puerto Rico in 2011, chasing the promises of a coach from New Jersey -- his own apartment, a spot on an elite high school team and a Division 1 scholarship. The change was posted the day after the school had a meeting with parents. The decision was made yesterday to reverse these changes and go back to the previous structure. He is heard saying, "This is what happens when you cross the border illegally." By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism. Copyright 2023 WPVI-TV. 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. Ejiofor lived there with other Eastside girls and boys basketball players from Nigeria, including Juliet James and ThankGod Okenwa, according to school documents obtained by NJ Advance Media. *NJSIAA demands 'full accounting' from hoops power with several overseas players. Over the weekend, Shafer reached out to Mayor Andre Sayegh and Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale and was put in contact with . *Homeland Security joins probe, with eye on international pipeline. The girls won just three out of 19 games, which some officials said resulted from players' transferring to other schools. 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). Read more: http://nj-ne.ws/lHtJWSq. Should they lose their jobs? Selwyn Rodriguez with Vaqueros de Bayamon in Puerto Rico. Ejiofor, now 18 after graduating from Eastside 10 months ago, didn't know it then, but she violated immigration laws when she entered Eastside, which is not authorized to issue I-20s. Unfortunately, the timing was poorly chosen, because it happened just a few weeks before school. And she announced on social media late last month that she verbally has committed to Oregon State, a Top 10 Division 1 program. Days after a report detailed that six overseas basketball players were living with a coach, a number of pressing issues remained. He called her a "no-misser" talent-wise, but said "my heart goes out to the kid. We are proud that the school holds such an important place in our community, and we look forward to working with everyone and continuing to serve our mission." Additionally, our news outlet has been sharply critical in the past of law enforcement investigations conducted into allegedly lewd and lascivious conduct. undefined Paterson Eastside High School basketball scandal From news that six overseas players were living with the boys coach to the discovery of an international pipeline funneling. Probably. Now, the state is taking a closer look at how they got here. According to our sources, members of this secret club would pay an estimated $5,000 to $10,000 a month to enjoy its amenities including youthful sex partners provided from nearby high schools. ", Christian Ortiz (backwards hat) and Selwyn Rodriguez (far right) chat outside the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Puerto Rico. "She was treated like a freak because she was so tall," said a New Jersey coach familiar with Aquino who declined to be identified due to the delicacy of the situation. Griles, Ortiz said, refused to stop for food after practice even after he repeatedly complained he was hungry. KIRO 7 News Seattle facebook feed(Opens a new window), KIRO 7 News Seattle twitter feed(Opens a new window), KIRO 7 News Seattle youtube feed(Opens a new window), Lenin statue in Seattle: Read this Q and A about how it got to Fremont, Eclipse traffic is already awful and we're still four days away, Why is a Confederate memorial in Seattle? Griles, the Rodriguezes said, was angry Selwyn left practice early to receive an academic award. 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. But Johnson, who is Shafers domestic partner, remains on the districts payroll with a total salary of $170,000, according to public records. "Over there if you're that tall, you're like a monster. "He made a lot of promises about the future, about getting Selwyn to a university, about getting him to Division 1," Selwyn's father, Edwin, said. CLICK HERE. Similarly, it is unclear whether the USSS investigation into Thornblade is tied to the alleged credit card fraud or some of the more illicit, sexually charged allegations. Steve Lopez is a California native who has been a Los Angeles Times columnist since 2001. 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. Some of the Sparks' coaches also are on the Eastside girls staff. They already have money and they have resources, and they still had to do these things to get into college? asked Andrea, who gets up early to catch a 6 a.m. bus to school, gets home after dinnertime and still has a few hours of homework each night. The NJSIAA wants to know what rules were broken before it can decide on possible punishment. 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. The veterans still call him "the rookie," but Selwyn hopes it'll be "Rookie of the Year" when the season ends. ", *The key players in Eastside scandal, fallout. The districts action plan also created a policy requiring all students to register for school at the districts central headquarters. VIDEO: Eastside Catholic HS teachers quit Classes could be delayed at a high school sports power house after more than a dozen teachers walked off the job. The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association said in a statement Friday it approved the . 36-0 vote holds punishment for teams and former boys coach Juan Griles. Thirteen faculty members quit in protest, most of them teachers. Coaches Juan Griles, Alberto Maldonado, and supervisor of athletics Gregory Co All are in compliance, wrote the monitor, Gary Farishian. According to our sources, most of the initial speculation has centered around Eastside High Schoolin Taylors, S.C. - and perhaps one other nearby school in the South Carolina government-run. ASB. This sounds crazy, but if I have to fly all the way back to (New Jersey), I will.". Phone 770-784-2920 | Fax 770-784-2918. Things have been eerily quiet in the South Carolina Upstate over the last few weeks as it relates to the Thornblade saga a host of alleged scandals centered around an upscale neighborhood and exclusive golf club located in the suburbs of Greenville, S.C. And quiet is just how the wealthy, influential local citizens at the heart of these scandals hope things will stay . State Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) called on Attorney General Christopher Porrino to investigate Paterson Eastside. Selwyn Rodriguez never imagined a basketball journey that included meeting reporters in front of a giantbottle of seasoning salt. 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. "A coach is supposed to be like another father to you," Ortiz said. "Papi, if I don't leave this place soon, it'll drive me crazy," he told his father in a phone conversation. According to our sources, one of these central figures is said to be involved in a forthcoming family court matter although no additional details about that case were provided. But Aquino's living situation deteriorated soon after she was brought to Paterson, according to coaches and the school report. 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