By: Todd Bartley

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

Talkwilliamsport.com has confirmed a current WASD school board member is no longer a resident within the boundaries of the Williamsport Area School District.

According to the Cogan Station home owner, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, “(WASD school board member) has stayed in my home after moving out of his previous downtown address and has not been around in some time.”

“He is back and forth to Florida dealing with his dad and stays (locally) with his girlfriend.”

During the most recent WASD school board meeting held virtually, the WASD school board member noted in this story appeared from a hospital room wearing a mask.

According to the WASD school board policy page under the menu labeled “004 Membership”:

“Removal

Whenever a Board member is no longer a resident of Williamsport Area School District,

his/her membership on the Board shall cease.[15][21]”

Talkwilliamsport.com has confirmed the Hughesville/Picture Rocks area address of the home believed to be the actual current residence.

According to Lycoming County property records obtained by Talkwilliamsport.com; the address bears several mortgages and loan satisfaction documents with not only the WASD school board members name but that of the girlfriend as well.

According to publicly posted social media accounts; the WASD school board member and his girlfriend recently became engaged.

Based on information gathered from Lycoming County voter services; when this WASD school board member sought election in 2017 the petitions submitted included a downtown Williamsport, Pennsylvania address.

As of yesterday, and to the best of the recollections of the Lycoming County voter services staff the WASD school board member has yet to request petitions for the upcoming election cycle.

According to a fact witness for this story who is prepared to produce a sworn affidavit under the penalty of perjury offered the following from a conversation between the WASD school board member and Tim Bowers (WASD Superintendent).

“Tim Bowers (WASD Superintendent) encouraged the WASD school board member to use the (Cogan Station) address because he needed him on the board.”

 

With this information coming to light; Talkwilliamsport.com reached out to the PSBA (Pennsylvania School Board Association) for clarification on non-district residents serving on school boards.

Annette Stevenson, Chief Communications Officer for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association provided the following response on Tuesday afternoon:

“There is no provision of law that authorizes a school board to remove one of its members from office. Section 319 of the School Code allows (but does not require) a school board to declare the seat of a board member vacant and appoint a replacement when the member (1) neglects or refuses to be sworn in within 10 days of the beginning of their term; (2) fails to attend two consecutive regular meetings without one of the justifications specified in Section 319 (prevented by illness or necessary travel outside the district); or (3) while attending meetings, neglects or refuses to act in their official capacity as a school director. For constitutional reasons, this authority is more soundly viewed as action to recognize that the seat has been abandoned rather than a removal—formal recognition that the member has in essence removed herself by not doing the job.

Section 318 authorizes a court, upon petition of ten resident taxpayers, to remove and replace one or more members of a school board that fail to organize as required by the School Code, or refuse or neglect to perform any duty made mandatory by the School Code.  This procedure is recognized by the courts as constitutionally valid as an exception to the general rule under Article VI, Section 7 of the PA Constitution that public officials elected by the people may be removed for “misbehavior in office” only by the Governor with approval by 2/3 vote of the Senate after trial before the Senate. It is an exception because it existed in law prior to the first adoption of that general rule in the Constitution of 1873.

Under the PA Constitution, Article II, Section 7, a person who has been convicted of an “infamous crime” is thereby disqualified from holding public office. You must go to various court decisions to learn that “infamous crime” includes any felony, and any misdemeanor offense involving deception, fraud theft or similar crimes of “moral turpitude”. Surprisingly, you will not find this general disqualification or any definition of “infamous crime” stated in any statutory provision of the School Code, Election Code or any other Pennsylvania statute. The closest things in the School Code are Sections 323, 325 and 326, which disqualify from eligibility as a school director any person who has been convicted of offering or receiving bribes or who has been removed from any federal, state or local public position due to malfeasance in office (intentional wrongdoing).

However, the fact that anyone has been rendered ineligible by any of these offense does not in and of itself remove them from office or empower the school board to remove them or to declare their seat vacant.  The exclusive procedure to assess whether someone is ineligible for the office they hold and to obtain an order of removal (“ouster”) is a court action in “Quo Warranto”, which normally is brought by the local district attorney.

The same principle applies to ineligibility due to not meeting the age or residence requirements of Section 322, or that section’s prohibition on holding incompatible public offices.  

Section 91 of Title 65 of the Purdon’s statutes (65 P.S. §91) provides that whenever residence within a specified place is a necessary qualification for an office, moving out of that place operates as a forfeiture of that office.

And yet, an action in Quo Warranto still is the exclusive means for finally determining whether in fact the official has moved out of the required locality and declaring that the office has been forfeited, or, in the case of the age requirement, whether at the critical time (prior to the date of election) the person was of the necessary age or had resided in the school district for at least one year.

And, going back to Section 319, in many cases there may be a dispute about whether a board member’s absence from meetings was justified by sickness or “necessary” travel outside the district, about whether the failure to be sworn in on time was due to neglect or refusal, or about whether a board member’s action or lack of action at a meeting constituted refusal or neglect to act in their capacity as a school director. The weight of judicial authority indicates that Quo Warranto would be the exclusive means to conclusively resolve such disputes.  Thus, you could have the situation where the board has declared a seat vacant for one of those reasons and appointed a replacement, while the incumbent board member protests, claiming that the declaration of vacancy and appointment of a replacement both are invalid due to lack of a proper factual or legal basis, and that therefore the incumbent continues to hold the office. An action in Quo Warranto would be needed to conclusively determine which person properly holds the office—the incumbent or the replacement appointee.

If the board believes that the member has moved out of the district, it would ask the DA to look into it.  If the DA declines, and the Attorney General also declines, the district can initiate the Quo Warranto action.”

Multiple attempts to reach Dr. Tim Bowers, WASD Superintendent and the WASD school board member referenced in this story have gone unanswered.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

 

When Williamsport Athletic Director Sean McCann told a concerned parent who inquired about the Myrtle Beach case; “we dealt with it immediately, when we learned of it”, did he inadvertently let the closely held secret out of the bag?

The documented record uncovered during the TalkWilliamsport.com investigation seems to support that premise.

The web untangled in a major way on Saturday, May 9, 2020:

According to the RADIO SHOW CALLER CLAIMS in PART XVI:

“I like know specifically what happened there and

the people involved knew instantaneously after it happened.

The parents of everyone involved knew instantaneously after it happened.

There’s was no cover-up.

It’s not, it’s not the general public’s business what happened there.

The parents of everyone involved knew.

I agree that the student involved should have never been allowed back on the high school baseball team, but there was no cover-up.”

 

The family of JOHN DOE #1 was not in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina since they had not made the trip.

However, the family of ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 was in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and the photos at local bars posted to social media, verify that.

Background for this story, on February 17, 2015, Sean McCann was Named Region II Athletic Director of the Year.

 

On further background for this story and as referenced in “A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball” – PART I

“According to documentation obtained from the Williamsport Area School District through a Right to Know Law Request,

the only adult supervisors that had provided clearances and passed background checks were;

 

NO ROOM LIST AND NO CHAPERONES

As part of the Appeal from RTKL Denial of Williamsport Area School District undertaken by Talk Williamsport filed with the OOR on August 8, 2019, the WASD under the penalty of perjury offered the following answers from Wanda Erb, in an affidavit on October 8, 2019:

I, Wanda Erb, hereby declare, pursuant to 18 Pa. CS 4904, that the following statements are true and correct based upon my personal knowledge information and belief:

6. Regarding Requestor’s fourth request, all of the chaperones on the trip were district employees, coaches, or volunteer coaches. No other adult chaperones accompanied the baseball team to Myrtle Beach.

From the June 17, 2019 RTKL Request

2). The hotel room assignments as outlined by the WASD Baseball Coaching Staff for the baseball team trip to Myrtle Beach during the 2017-2018 school year.

WASD Responded in the July 18, 2019 RTKL denial

2. Hotel room assignments – Denied because no record exists.

The WASD Baseball team trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina did not have a hotel room assignment list at the Atlantica Resort with no adult chaperones and only the district employees, coaches, or volunteer coaches.

Talk Williamsport has independently confirmed

the two administrators did not stay on property at the Atlantica Resort.

Talk Williamsport appealed the WASD July 18, 2019 RTKL denial

As filed by Terry Mutchler on behalf of Talk Williamsport :

Requester’s position: The District must provide a statement made under penalty of perjury, detailing its good faith effort to ascertain this record. See 65 P.S. § 67.901 (requiring the AORO to undertake a “good faith effort”); see also Hous. Auth. of the City of Pittsburgh v. Van Osciol, 40 A.3d 209, 216 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2012) (unsworn statements are not competent evidence).

Again, Wanda Erb in the October 8, 2019 affidavit offered the following response:

4. Regarding Requestor’s second request, I conducted a thorough examination of files in the possession, custody and control of the Agency for records responsive to the request.

As these types of records would be in the possession of the athletic director or head coach, I spoke with WASD Athletic Director Sean McCann and former head baseball coach Ryan Miller.

At the time the request was made (6-17-19 original RTK request), neither Mr. McCann nor Mr. Miller had any record identifying which players were assigned to which hotel room.

Accordingly, I have made the determination that the records requested are not within the Agency’s possession, custody or control. 

 

 

Since TalkWilliamsport.com exposed the secret and the cover-up the mindset changed to attack the author and marginalize him; just like the FAMILY OF JOHN DOE #1 at the outset of the incident in Myrtle Beach.

 

From PART XVI

CAMPAIGN TO MARGINALIZE TALK WILLIAMSPORT CONTINUES

Even as PART XIII and PART XIV were published, WASD administrators were still trying to persuade concerned parents that this series is all a myth.

Williamsport Area High School Athletic Director Sean McCann who was in Myrtle Beach as noted in this series; authored a recent e-mail to a WASD parent who voiced concerns after reading Part XIII and Part XIV.

The e-mail to the concerned parent has been provided to Talk Williamsport.

“The author of these articles is way out of line and has severely exaggerated the information.

We dealt with it immediately, when we learned of it,

it was never shared on social media as he believes in his writings.

We met with the mother the day after we learned of things and

worked with the family for over an entire year.

It was dealt with and the unfortunate thing,

this author keeps bringing it up, keeps hurting the kids,

bringing it up all this time afterwards just keeps hurting the kids,

that’s the frustrating thing.”

–Sean

This is where the secret leaks out since the mother of ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 was in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and would have been able to have been met with.

More on that later, in her own words as told by WAHS Principal Brandon Pardoe.

 

LYCOMING COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY RYAN GARDNER PRESS RELEASE

DESTROYS MCCANN AND WASD NARRATIVE

The full press release is available by clicking this link to PART XV

According to Sean McCann, WASD athletic director,  the video depicting “criminal sexual misconduct”;

“The author of these articles is way out of line and has severely exaggerated the information.”

“…it was never shared on social media as he believes in his writings.”

From the Gardner press release:

“Despite the logistical inability to interview the juvenile due to COVID-19, this office in the interim has confirmed the following:

1. A video depicting criminal sexual misconduct does exist.

Pursuant to information received, this video originated in South Carolina with subsequent possession, dissemination and viewing of same potentially occurring in the state of Pennsylvania.

2. Because the sexual misconduct occurred in the state of South Carolina, the filing of any criminal charges against the actor depicted in the video for the act itself must be filed in South Carolina.”

 

Editor’s Note: dissemination is defined as: noun –

“the action or fact of spreading something, especially information, widely”

 

Editor’s Note: viewing of same is defined as: noun –

“the action of inspecting or looking at something”

 

From PART XVIII 

LITTLE LEAGUE COMPLEX HOSTED 2018 MILLIONAIRES BASEBALL BANQUET

Talk Williamsport has obtained photographic evidence the cafeteria area located in the Little League headquarters building was used as the venue to celebrate the 2018 Williamsport Millionaires baseball team.

Individuals appearing in multiple photos are Nick Caringi, former Williamsport assistant baseball coach and Little League employee as well as current head coach Kyle Schneider, assistant baseball coach Joel Worthington, athletic director Sean McCann, Jamie Joy, Little League employee seated at the same table with his father-in-law criminal defense attorney George Lepley.

 

Putting the statement in context, the Lepley letter of May 31, 2018 makes perfect sense when you apply it to the FAMILY OF ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 and ignore the actual victims like JOHN DOE #1 and JOHN DOE #2.

We met with the mother (of ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1) the day after we learned of things and

worked with the family (of ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1)  for over an entire year.

 

From PART XIX – “The Millionaire Way”

Criminal defense attorney George Lepley most likely knows the answer to the central question in this series and memorialized those facts in a letter to WAHS Head Principal Brandon Pardoe and Athletic Director Sean McCann on May 31, 2018.

Rachel Lepley Joy is the wife of Little League International employee Jamie Joy and the daughter of George Lepley.

All of these adults were in Myrtle Beach as part of the 2018 Williamsport Millionaire baseball team trip.

 

The e-mails outlined in this article and the Lepley letter of May 31, 2018 completely contradict the narrative put forth by the WASD in their January 9, 2020 statement provided in part below.

“It is important to note that the district first became aware of this incident after law enforcement had already been contacted and a ChildLine report made. The report to ChildLine was not duplicated by the district, as it had already been reported.

The district’s investigation was conducted by the high school principal, district administrators and district legal counsel. Once it became clear which students were and were not involved in the incident, it was apparent that the high school principal had no personal conflict of interest or personal relationships with the students involved. The principal was permitted by the district’s solicitor to participate in the investigation, and his actions were appropriate and thorough. As an added measure of diligence, a second administrator also participated in the investigation.”

 

Revisiting the assertion put forward by an athletic director who nearly three years to the day he received a “room assignment” from a fellow baseball parent has yet to produce it in a Right to Know law request.

“We dealt with it immediately, when we learned of it,”

–Sean (McCann), WASD athletic director

 

Editor’s Note: immediately is defined as: adverb –

“at once; instantly. Similar: straight away, at once, right away, right now”

“without any intervening time or space”

 

Even with the Childline call of May 18, 2018, the timeline does not support the McCann assertion; “We dealt with it immediately, when we learned of it.”

 

More from PART XIX – “The Millionaire Way”

12-DAY DELAY WHILE THOSE INVOLVED STILL PLAYED

Information developed and obtained by talkwilliamsport.com through the Right to Know Law shows a 12-day delay in the start of the investigation by the WASD.

The Childline call was placed by a mandated reporter on May 18, 2018.

As noted in PART III of this series:

The family of JOHN DOE #1 having received notification of the ChildLine call themselves, placed a call to WAHS Assistant Principal Roger Freed on May 21, 2018 at 9:34 a.m. inquiring about the situation.

Freed pleads ignorance to the ChildLine call and asserts to the family of JOHN DOE #1 “he has no knowledge of the incident in Myrtle Beach.”

On May 24, 2018 – Williamsport defeats West Scranton at Bucknell University, 14-2 in Round 2 of the 2018 District II/IV Baseball 6A Sub-regional.

In the meeting it was disclosed by the family of JOHN DOE #1, “the video speaks for itself”.

On May 28, 2018 – Williamsport defeats Hazleton at PNC Park, 4-3 in the 2018 District II/IV Baseball 6A Sub-regional Final.

On June 4, 2018, WASD Solicitor Fred Holland submitted an invoice for services rendered of 0.80 hours and noted that a telephone conference occurred on May 31, 2018.

The May 31, 2018 telephone conference Holland referred to as “Investigation”, and included High School Principal Brandon Pardoe (who was on the trip to Myrtle Beach), Lepley and Holland who again referred to the call as “pending investigations”.

 

Editor’s Note: pending is defined as: adjective – “awaiting decision or settlement.”

preposition – “until (something) happens or takes place.”

 

On June 4, 2018 – Williamsport defeats Downingtown East at Central Columbia HS, 4-1 in the 2018 PIAA Baseball 6A First Round.

WASD Solicitor Fred Holland submitted a second invoice on July 3, 2018 for a meeting that he attended on June 5, 2018 in regard to a VM (later identified by WASD as voicemail).

The WASD has stated that the voicemail record no longer exists.

The family of JOHN DOE #1 has confirmed to FSW, the voicemail in question was left by them.

It occurred at 11:26 a.m. the morning of June 5, 2018 and a follow-up call was placed to the family of JOHN DOE #1 at 12:52 p.m.  WASD officials cited FERPA as the reason the family of JOHN DOE #1 would not be receiving any additional information about the incident.

That same day, June 5, 2018 WASD Solicitor Fred Holland attended a meeting with Lepley and Pardoe which lasted for 1.8 hours. That is the billing total Holland submitted to the WASD.

When TalkWilliamsport.com attempted to confirm the time and location of the June 5, 2018 meeting with the WASD, Wanda Erb responded via e-mail

Wanda Erb <werb@wasd.org>

Friday, December 20, 2019 at 9:32 AM,

Mr. Bartley, Good morning. I received your phone message late yesterday afternoon. As you are aware, the Right to Know Law (RTKL) requires requests for information to be submitted in writing.

Please complete the RTKL request form found at https://www.wasd.org/data/StreamFile.aspx?loc=secureFiles&file=RTKRequestForm.pdf.

After I receive the completed form, the district will respond based upon whether this information is available under the RTKL.

Sincerely, Wanda

Wanda M. Erb, SFO, PCSBA, Business Administrator, Williamsport Area School District

FSW confirmed with the Law office of George Lepley the meeting was held at 2 p.m. at Williamsport Area High School on June 5, 2018.

According to the family of JOHN DOE #1, June 5, 2018 was the last time they had any communication from the WASD in regard to the Myrtle Beach incident.

On June 7, 2018 –Bensalem defeats Williamsport at Pine Grove, Walter Stump Stadium 6-0, in the 2018 PIAA Baseball 6A Second Round.

 

According to the WASD, Sean McCann was involved with the in-person interview of JOHN DOE #1 on May 30, 2018.

May 18, 2018 until May 30, 2018 for a next day meeting?

 

Continuing with PART XIX – “The Millionaire Way”:

AGENT WEBER MEETING IN BRANDON PARDOE’S OFFICE

Prior to the meeting on May 30, 2018 the calendar program used by Dr. Pardoe reflects multiple meeting invitations for the following obtained through RTKL requests:

Subject: (Redacted) Mother and Agent Weber Meeting

Location: Brandon’s office

Start: Wed 5/30/18  9:00 AM

End: Wed 5/30/18 10:00 AM

Show Time as: Tentative

Recurrence: (none)

Meeting Status: Accepted

Organizer: Brandon Pardoe

Required Attendees: Roger W. Freed, Sean McCann

Pardoe notes on the invitation, “I scheduled with Will Weber for this day. Please plan to attend. Thanks, BP”

 

The WASD has yet to provide an e-mail outlining the directive from WASD Solicitor to WAHS Head Principal Brandon Pardoe giving him permission to conduct the investigation.

Is it possible, the e-mails below outline a different story and thus making that narrative a bit of revisionist history on the part of the WASD?

The e-mail threads begin on May 30, 2018, 12 full days after the original Childline call and after a pair of District II baseball playoff games including the District Final at PNC Field.

 

From: Rachel Joy (e-mail address redacted by WASD)

Date: Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 2:04 PM

To: Brandon Pardoe (e-mail address redacted by author)

Subject: Meeting

“Hey Brandon:

(Redacted) contacted us regarding the meeting you’d like to set up. George would like to be present.

He is unavailable all day Friday but we have some pockets of time tomorrow we could probably make work.

1030 or 1-2?”

Rachel Lepley Joy

Paralegal to George E. Lepley, Jr.

LEPLEY, ENGLEMAN & YAW, LLC 

140 East Third Street

Williamsport, PA 17701

 

PARDOE INFORMS DR. BOWERS AND SUSIE NEIDIG OF INVESTIGATION

WAHS Head Principal Brandon Pardoe then informs Superintendent Dr. Timothy Bowers and his secretary Susie Neidig in the evening hours of May 30, 2018 of details about the “investigation.”

Subject: FW: Meeting

Date: Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 8:22:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: Brandon Pardoe

To: Timothy Bowers

CC: Susan A. Neidig

Priority: High 

“We started the investigation with regard to the video taken on the Myrtle Beach trip after speaking with the parent and student today. I can give you more information if we could talk. I contacted the home of (redacted) who is the student that was videoed doing the act to the other student. I requested to meet with them with their son. They appear to be getting an attorney to meet as well. I would imagine that this is something that we would want to reach out to our solicitor about and update to join in a mutual meeting. I do have a recommendation for the interim until we can meet that I would like to run by you.

If we can talk tomorrow that would be great.”

Brandon Pardoe, Ed.D

Head Principal 

Williamsport Area High School

2990 West Fourth Street

Williamsport, PA 17701

Phone: (redacted by author)

 

WAHS Head Principal Brandon Pardoe tells Superintendent Dr. Timothy Bowers and his secretary Susie Neidig;

“I can give you more information if we could talk.”

How much “more information”  does Pardoe need to relay to Bowers and Neidig that is unsafe for an e-mail?

Would it be the idea of no paper trail?

Is it the same reason Detective Weber waited 5 months to file a formal report, only after the Myrtle Beach Police Department requested it?

 

When Pardoe adds:

“I do have a recommendation for the interim until we can meet that I would like to run by you.”

Is this his Graham Spanier moment from the Jerry Sandusky case?

 

From the CBS News report, June 30, 2012 “Report: Ex-Penn State head OK’d not reporting Sandusky”:

If Sandusky is cooperative, Curley’s email said, “we would work with him. …. If not, we do not have a choice and will inform the two groups,” according to the report.

Spanier wrote back and agreed with that approach,

calling it “humane and a reasonable way to proceed,” according to the report.

But he also worried about the consequences.

“The only downside for us is if message isn’t `heard’ and acted upon and we then become vulnerable for not having reported it, but that can be assessed down the road,” the email said, according to CNN.

 

WASD SOLICITOR FRED HOLLAND CAUGHT IN CONTRADICTION

How does WASD Solicitor Fred Holland give WAHS Head Principal Brandon Pardoe permission to do an investigation when Pardoe according to the e-mail thread above, notified Holland?

Moments after informing WASD Superintendent Dr. Bowers of the initiation of the “investigation”, Pardoe authors a rather interesting e-mail to Rachel Joy.

Does Pardoe not have the easily accessible online e-mail address of Attorney George Lepley; or is it just two old friends having a conversation?

 

From: Brandon Pardoe (redacted by author)

Date: Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 8:24 PM

To: Rachel Joy

Subject: Re: Meeting 

“I certainly need to brief the superintendent about this matter. Being that (redacted)s seeking counsel to join a meeting then we will need to do the same most likely. I am sure we will be in touch.

Thank you,”

Brandon Pardoe, Ed.D

Head Principal 

Williamsport Area High School

2990 West Fourth Street

Williamsport, PA 17701

Phone: (redacted by author)

 

Had Pardoe not already briefed the Superintendent when he e-mail Rachel Joy he needed to?

Why is that fact being shared with the law firm representing ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1?

 

The next morning Rachel Joy and Brandon Pardoe exchanged e-mails trying to pin down a meeting time, now 13 days removed from the Childline call of May 18, 2020.

From: Rachel Joy (e-mail address redacted by WASD)

Date: Wednesday, May 31, 2018 at 7:55 AM

To: Brandon Pardoe (e-mail address redacted by author)

Subject: Meeting

“Thank you for your response. It’s our understanding there’s a request for a meeting with (redacted) this morning at 11:46. George asked me to find out if this is related to the Myrtle Beach trip And if so if it can be rescheduled to 1 o’clock as he is in court at 11:46.

Sent from my iPhone”

 

When Joy relays the message to Pardoe, “George asked me to find out if this is related to the Myrtle Beach trip”; does this mean there are other concerns or complaints about ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 Lepley is dealing with?

 

Pardoe, then responds to Joy copying Bowers and Neidig and excluding at minimum McCann and Freed who sat in the intake interview with JOHN DOE #1.

Subject: Re: Meeting

Date: Wednesday, May 31, 2018 at 8:30:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time

From: Brandon Pardoe

To: Rachel Joy

CC: Timothy Bowers

BCC: Susan A. Neidig

“Rachael,

Nothing has been scheduled and I have not heard back from the (redacted). The only correspondence that I have received is from you. If George is going to attend then the district will have to have representation present. This will take some coordination to make this happen. Again, I can only really speak with the parents at this point. If George would attend a meeting with parents and we do not have representation then the meeting won’t happen.”

Brandon Pardoe, Ed.D

Head Principal 

Williamsport Area High School

2990 West Fourth Street

Williamsport, PA 17701

Phone: (redacted by author)

 

Pardoe states, “If George is going to attend then the district will have to have representation present. This will take some coordination to make this happen.”

Who was Pardoe coordinating with to “make this happen”?

Was the interim recommendation to suspend those involved from baseball activities immediately?

 

So, JOHN DOE #1 sits down for an intake interview as a victim of an incident of “criminal sexual misconduct” on video and ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 has the ability to have his parents go first before being interviewed to tell his side of the story with an attorney present?

This is proper procedure, how?

 

Subject: RE: Meeting

From: Rachel Joy

Date: Wednesday, May 31, 2018 at 8:32:41 AM

To: Brandon Pardoe

“That was our understanding as well (redacted) contacted us early this morning indicating (redacted) was scheduled for a meeting at 11:46. We wanted to simply confirm it was not related. Thanks.”

Rachel Lepley Joy

Paralegal to George E. Lepley, Jr.

LEPLEY, ENGLEMAN & YAW, LLC 

140 East Third Street

Williamsport, PA 17701

What was the 11:46 a.m. meeting about and with whom?

 

The existence of a letter authored by George Lepley was confirmed by this author and was immediately requested through the Right to Know law and through the special counsel hired by the WASD.

Attorney George Lepley was contacted for this story and when confronted with the existence of said letter he stated, “I never wrote a letter, there is no letter.”

When confronted with the content of the letter, he added, “I would never threaten the school district.”

 

The letter authored by George Lepley obtained through the Right to Know Law, dated May 31, 2018 was not previously provided in the RTKL mediation conducted with the WASD last year and appears as follows:

 

Brandon Pardoe, Principal 

Williamsport Area High School

2990 West Fourth Street

Williamsport, PA 17701

 

Shawn McCann, Athletic Director 

Williamsport Area High School

2990 West Fourth Street

Williamsport, PA 17701

 

Re: Misconduct Myrtle Beach

Dear Brandon and Shawn:

I have been contacted by (redacted by WASD), parents of ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 (editor added) (redacted by WASD) regarding potential criminal charges (the rest of this sentence was redacted by WASD) followed by between 10 and 11 lines which are also redacted by the WASD. 

Within the redacted lines, Lepley outlines a plan that if his client ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 is treated any differently than any other student in the room during what has been confirmed to be “criminal sexual misconduct”  in Myrtle Beach then his firm would seek legal remedies as well as the unmasking of the identity of those students.

The letter concludes, “It is my understanding you wish to have a meeting with ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 (editor added) (redacted by WASD) and his parents. Please note, I will be present at that meeting and therefore would kindly appreciate notice of same.

Sincerely, LEPLEY, ENGLEMAN & YAW, LLC George E. Lepley, Jr. Esquire”

The other students in the room at the time of the “criminal sexual misconduct” as characterized by Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner, included the nephew of Brandon Pardoe.

That fact alone should have led to a recusal by Pardoe from any involvement in the “investigative process.”

The method of delivery and specific date of delivery of the Lepley letter have yet to be confirmed by the WASD.

How did a letter to the WASD from the attorney for ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 include the unredacted words “Misconduct Myrtle Beach” and “potential criminal charges”; end up as “indecent and inappropriate behavior” unless adults worked it out amongst themselves?

Is it the same way Penn State administrators try to explain away the behavior of Jerry Sandusky as “horseplay.”

 

PARDOE INFORMS STUDENTS OF PUNISHMENTS – KEEPS JOHN DOE#1 IN THE DARK

WAHS Head Principal Brandon Pardoe in an e-mail on June 1, 2018 informs Superintendent Bowers of his intentions for punishments until the investigations were concluded.

 

Date: June 1, 2018 4:53 AM

From: Brandon Pardoe

To: Timothy Bowers

Subject: Baseball

“No Bowman Field! First round of State playoffs will be held at Central Columbia HS on Monday, June 4 at 6 PM.

Unbelievable!

Also, a meeting has been arranged with the (redacted) family for June 5, 2018 at 2 PM and their attorney.

Fred will be attending.

I plan to contact family today to inform them that their son is (redacted) until the investigation is complete.

I am also going to follow up with the student, (redacted) (student who took video) today and parent to inform them that he will be in the same status.

I had a conversation with the mother of (redacted). 

I know that Fred has spoken to George regarding the matter.

In addition, Agent Weber contacted me yesterday to let me know that he as well has spoken to George Lepley about the incident.

It is my understanding that both of these conversations went well.”

Brandon Pardoe, Ed.D

Head Principal 

Williamsport Area High School

2990 West Fourth Street

Williamsport, PA 17701

Phone: (redacted by author)

 

How in any real world scenario does an investigator with a shred of credibility render an opinion to a superior during an ongoing investigation regarding conversations with the attorney for ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 who was under criminal investigation for allegedly committing “criminal sexual misconduct”?

Prior to interviewing ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 in any substantive way, Pardoe rendered the following verdict via e-mail:

“I know that Fred has spoken to George regarding the matter. In addition, Agent Weber contacted me yesterday to let me know that he as well has spoken to George Lepley about the incident.

It is my understanding that both of these conversations went well.”

So before ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 sat down for an interview with Pardoe or Weber, his lawyer had intervened and as previously noted sent a letter to the WASD threatening legal recourse if any real action was taken against him.

To date, no e-mails or other communications from the WASD have been provided showing former Head Coach Ryan Miller was ever contacted during the investigation by Pardoe.

Is it normal procedure to exclude the head coach of the team where an incident occurred when the name of the coach is on the hotel receipts; or is it just one more example of everyone knew in Myrtle Beach so there was no reason to call or reach out?

Was the narrative already agreed upon before the June 5, 2018 meeting that no punishment from the baseball team would be forthcoming for ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1?

When the suspension for the remainder of the state playoffs was handed down, weeks after the original Childline call was placed and after the threatening Lepley letter issued – is this why the parents of ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 stormed out of the June 5, 2018 meeting?

Was the anger directed at Pardoe who had already assured everyone for months this case would never see the light of day?

Was the anger directed at Lepley for being unable to stave off any punishment, as meaningless as it appears to be?

Was the anger of the parents at the perceived loss of a medal for the PIAA State Championship that the Millionaires were going to win in 2018?

Only the Millionaires did not win the PIAA State Championship in 2018, instead they lost in the 2nd round of the state playoffs with the specter of the greatest baseball scandal since Carl Stotz left Little League over philosophical differences.

On the bright side, ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 and VIDEOGRPHER #1 each received District II championship medals in 2018.

 

The morning of June 1, 2018 Superintendent Bowers replied to Pardoe:

Date: June 1, 2018 6:42 AM

From: Timothy Bowers

To: Brandon Pardoe

Subject: Baseball

“Ok thanks for the follow-up”

Sent from my iPhone

 

WERE ACTUAL PUNISHMENTS IMPOSED?

Why was VIDEOGRAPHER #1 punished prior to ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 who committed the act as noted by WAHS Head Principal Dr. Brandon Pardoe?

Was the punishment suspension from the state baseball playoffs, both having already received District II Championship medals?

Why were ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 and VIDEOGRAPHER #1 never brought before the WASD school board for a disciplinary hearing for possible expulsion in contradiction of well established policies?

Why were ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 and VIDEOGRAPHER #1 given the same punishment when ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 was facing possible criminal charges?

Was it another baseball courtesy?

Why if actual punishments were imposed did Wanda Erb, WASD Right to Know Officer and Jeff Rowe, Attorney for WASD in RTKL mediation give contradictory responses when asked by Terry Mutchler, Attorney for this author?

Jeff Rowe was elected in November 2019 as a Magisterial District Judge for the Lewisburg area in Union County.

 

NONE OF THE WASD MANDATED REPORTERS CALLED THE MBPD

Out of all of the mandated reporters in these meetings and in the obtained e-mail threads; why did none of them contact the Myrtle Beach Police Department, considering their jurisdiction over the “criminal sexual misconduct” aspect of the case?

Those mandated reporters include:

Lycoming County Detective – Willie Weber

WAHS Head Principal – Dr. Brandon Pardoe

WAHS 9th Grade Principal – Roger Freed

WAHS Athletic Director – Sean McCann

WASD Solicitor – Fred Holland

WASD Superintendent – Dr. Timothy Bowers

WASD Assistant Superintendent – Dr. Susan Bigger

WASD Executive Secretary to Superintendent Bowers – Susie Neidig

Attorney George Lepley (also serves as a West End baseball coach making him a mandated reporter)

 

In any of the meetings, e-mails, phone calls or texts did any one of these people or anyone else bring up the idea of calling the Myrtle Beach Police Department?

If so, were they overruled or threatened?

 

The Lepley letter of May 31, 2018 leads to only one conclusion.

Everyone in a leadership capacity on the trip, knew of the “criminal sexual misconduct” incident while in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

 

From PART XXII 

THE PARTY AT THE BEACH HOUSE IN GARDEN CITY, SOUTH CAROLINA

How did so many Williamsport Area High School baseball players get from the Atlantica Resort (team hotel) in Myrtle Beach to a rented beach house in Garden City, South Carolina?

Was it by Susquehanna Trailways bus?

Was it by car?

Did parents transport their own children?

Were the WAHS administrators aware of this get together?

Was it communicated by phone call or text message?

 

WHERE IS WAHS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR SEAN McCANN?

(Front) Cody Shimp, Tori Shimp, Cam Pardoe, WAHS Head Principal Brandon Pardoe,

(back right) Caleb Joy, Jamie Joy

(Upper Left) WAHS Athletic Director Sean McCann, Tyler McCann,

Tanner Esposito, Sam Esposito, Quentin Brown, Kevin Brown,

also pictured, Ethen Stryker, Isaac Snyder, Cameron Dickey, Ryan Jolin and others.

 

So if the WAHS administrators (Pardoe and McCann) are in Garden City, South Carolina 11 miles from the Atlantica Resort, where are all the WAHS baseball coaches?

Several WAHS coaches are photographed out on the town around the same time as the party noted above.

Was WAHS head coach Ryan Miller aware of where at least ten of his players were?

 

WAHS assistant baseball coaches David Heller, Tariq Moore, Kyle Schneider,

head coach Ryan Miller and WAHS assistant baseball coach Joel Worthington

 

So with WAHS administrators (Pardoe and McCann) in Garden City, South Carolina and the bulk of the WAHS coaches out on the town; who had eyes on the rest of the WAHS baseball players?

 

From PART XXIII 

THE BLAME GAME BEGAN WITH THE FIRST RTKL REQUEST

WAHS athletic director Sean McCann authored an e-mail to former WAHS Ryan Miller and copied Erb, Superintendent Dr. Timothy Bowers and head principal Brandon Pardoe requesting the room list from Miller on Thursday, July 11, 2019, 2018 at 2:02 p.m.

“Good Afternoon. I have been asked by our Business Administrator and Right to Know Officer, Wanda Erb to contact you regarding a recent right to know request received by the district.”

McCann goes onto say, “Also, Ryan 

1. Do you have a copy or any records of the rooming lists, from the 2018 trip for the lodging?
2. Do you have a copy of the travel list, who went on the trip for players and coaches in writing?

Thank you for your willingness to comply with this request.

–Sean”

This is laughable since McCann already received the very room assignment list and e-mail he was then asking Miller to produce.

Was McCann unable to produce it because he already deleted it?

When reading the e-mail, why did Brandon Pardoe not chime in with the fact he received it as well?

 

From PART XXIV 

From PART XIX – “The Millionaire Way” unredacted information is now underlined: 

 

These revelations from the redactions being removed again raise serious questions in the timeline being put forward by Dr. Pardoe and the WASD.

In an e-mail dated June 1, 2018, Dr. Pardoe says, “I had a conversation with the mother of (redacted-1) editor’s note: ALLEGED PERPETRATOR#1 – yesterday (May 31, 2018). 

“She was very defensive and freely utilized the idea that a meeting with their son will not occur unless they and George Lepley are present.”

 

From the OP-ED: Jennifer Lake Wokebegone – PART III

IRREGULARITIES

Lori Baer, WASD school board president signed two different Republican petitions for Jennifer Lake on February 19, 2019 the same day as a school board meeting, as follows:

#3 Lori A. Baer, right below WAHS Athletic Director #1 Sean McCann and Stevens Elementary School Principal, #2 Kirk Felix.

 

This story does not address the former head baseball coach at the time showing up and coaching a game at Bowmn Field intoxicated, he subsequently resigned days later, the dugout incident at Jersey Shore, the half-time brawl in the football locker room or after the same game the brawl that resulted in at least two victims needing medical attention.

At the college level the NCAA may well cite an athletic department with

“lack of institutional control.”

The case is currently under investigation by the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.

Photo provided

Saturday evening TalkWilliamsport.com received a notification Eric Beiter will be announcing his intention to seek a seat on Williamsport City Council in the near future.

Beiter most recently ran for Mayor of Williamsport in 2019. He lost by only 753 votes out of 5,178 total votes cast.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Photos: Josh Shapiro, PA Attorney General (top left), George Lepley, criminal defense attorney (bottom left), Brandon Pardoe, WAHS head principal (middle), Dr. Timothy Bowers, WASD Superintendent (top right), Fred Holland, WASD Solicitor (bottom right)

By: Todd Bartley

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

With charges now being filed by South Carolina authorities; Brandon Pardoe, WAHS head principal has some explaining to do regarding his specific handling of the Myrtle Beach case.

There are undeniable facts in the case and the role Pardoe played in it.

• Pardoe allowed Ryan Miller to be an assistant baseball coach and then head coach with 2 DUI’s on his record
• Pardoe co-signed the Myrtle Beach baseball tournament entry form
• Pardoe received the room assignment list and has yet to produce it even though his wife did
• Pardoe was on the Myrtle Beach trip
• Pardoe attended an off-site party and was photographed being there
• Pardoe has been unable or unwilling to disclose his WASD paid for phone records relating to the trip
• Pardoe was the WASD point person for “criminal and non-criminal investigations” into the matter
• Pardoe has yet to issue a public statement to deny any of the reporting in this series of articles

The Myrtle Beach Police Department called Pardoe on September 28, 2018 for answers as noted with full audio of the call in PART XIII of “A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball” series.

So let us explore this and more with the following question posed to Brandon Pardoe;

“Can I ask who you tried to speak with?”

 

When it came to hiring and allowing Ryan Miller to be an assistant baseball coach and then head coach with 2 DUI’s on his record?

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When the 2018 Myrtle Beach baseball tournament entry form was presented to you for signature?

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When it was time to review the “room assignments email”?

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When Wanda Erb (WASD Right to Know Officer) denied the very existence of the “room assignments email”.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When it was revealed your wife who works in the South Williamsport Area School District was preparing to release the same email you claimed to not have in your @wasd.org account.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When you booked your accommodations for your stay in Myrtle beach, South Carolina.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When you received the party details you were photographed attending with the WAHS Seniors at the beach house.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When this author asked several years ago for your WASD paid for phone records relating to the trip.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When the details of the “criminal sexual misconduct” incident came to your attention.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When the Childline call of May 18, 2018 was made and the WASD was notified.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When WASD Solicitor Fred Holland gave you “permission” to undertake the “investigations” into the matter.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

Once informed of the Childline call of May 18, 2018 and the “investigations” underway; the WASD school resource officers needed to be notified. However the documented record indicates that was not the case. The reason this did not occur would be a question for a lead investigator.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When you sat down in your office on May 25, 2018 with Lycoming County Chief Detective Willie Weber by your side to interview JOHN DOE#1.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When you sat down in your office to interview VIDEOGRAPHER #1.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When you informed WASD Superintendent Dr. Timothy Bowers you “began an investigation”.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

If Dr. Bowers is the leader of the WASD, would he not have been in the loop on having the WASD Solicitor approve your involvement in the investigations in the first place? If so.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When you decided to allow ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 to play in the District II baseball playoffs while “criminal and non-criminal investigations” were underway.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 received his District II baseball championship Gold medal while “criminal and non-criminal investigations” into his behavior were underway.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When the May 31, 2018 threat of legal action letter arrived from attorney George Lepley as counsel representing ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1; the same Lepley who was also on the Myrtle Beach trip and stayed at the team hotel.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When the meeting occurred between yourself, WASD Solicitor Fred Holland and attorney George Lepley.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When you informed VIDEOGRAPHER #1 and ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 of the same suspension from baseball activities for their roles in the incident and pending the outcome of the “investigations.”

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When you sat down in your office on June 5, 2018 to interview ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

During the “investigations” a conscious decision was made to not inform the Myrtle Beach Police Department of the information obtained. While arriving at that decision;

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

In September 2018 when the Myrtle Beach Police Department began calling Lycoming County law enforcement agencies and individuals with knowledge of the incident including yourself.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

During your call with a Detective from the Myrtle Beach Police Department you were asked about information you had about the incident and decided not to share it. When arriving at that decision,

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner, issued the statement “criminal sexual misconduct” occurred on the video.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro confirmed receipt of the “criminal sexual misconduct” case referral.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When the WASD statement was issued on January 9, 2020:

“The Williamsport Area School District does not condone inappropriate and indecent behavior. The district has fully conducted an investigation of this incident and has transparently cooperated and participated with law enforcement officials. We urge our students, families and community members to avoid posting statements to social media that are inaccurate or misleading, as those statements can be detrimental and potentially harmful to our students.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

When it was reported last week criminal charges were being filed in this case by South Carolina authorities.

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

Over the past years and months there has been a mountain of stories written regarding the incident in Myrtle Beach. You have yet to issue a public statement to deny any of the reporting in this series of articles. When arriving at that decision,

Can I ask who you tried to speak with?

 

The case is currently under investigation by the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

 

As Pardoe stated to Detective Aiesi on the call, providing answers to these questions; “that may help.”

 

 

On Saturday morning Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter issued the following Scoreboard and Website Press Release 2.20.21:

“My administration unraveled previous years of mismanagement and got the correct process in place for the Bowman Field scoreboard.

Thursday evening, City Council approved the contract to finish the installation of a new scoreboard at Bowman Field. This project is part of a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant award that the City received several years ago. Installation of the updated scoreboard is the final piece required to close out this RACP grant.

The contract was plagued with administration missteps for years. My office and our city engineer worked closely with Larson Design Group to correctly handle the needed bids and ensure everything was done in full compliance with the grant. Having taken the correct actions and adding the necessary oversight, we can now bring this project across the finish line.

Additional good news for our residents and businesses is that the City is moving towards an improved website. City Council approved our contract with a local company to make this happen. This update is part of my administration’s goal to upgrade our City’s technology infrastructure. Today’s governments must be more technologically efficient, and City services must become easier to access for the public we serve. The new website will provide a much-needed start in moving the City in this direction.”

According to History.com; “The first workable prototype of the Internet came in the late 1960s with the creation of ARPANET, or the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network. Originally funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, ARPANET used packet switching to allow multiple computers to communicate on a single network.”

Based on information obtained from CERN, “On 30 April 1993, CERN put the World Wide Web software in the public domain.”

The City of Williamsport employee that caused the original issue with the scoreboard bids is still employed in the Slaughter administration.

Bowman Field is the second oldest operating ballpark in the country.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Talkwilliamsport.com has placed a “WASD acknowledges “victims” in Myrtle Beach incident” clock near the top of the website.

At this writing the clock reads 2 YEARS : 278 DAYS : 4 HOURS : 14 MINUTES : 10 SECONDS and counting.

The “WASD acknowledges “victims” in Myrtle Beach incident” clock serves as a constant reminder of the ineptitude of the Williamsport Area School District and their refusal to acknowledge the victims of “criminal sexual misconduct” which occurred during the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

That behavior has now drawn criminal charges from authorities in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

An additional clock has also been posted “WASD fails to acknowledge “victims” in Myrtle Beach incident; uses death of George Floyd as distraction.”

 

This is a developing story on Talkwilliamsport.com.

Talkwilliamsport.com has placed a “frozen in time” clock near the top of the website.

28 DAYS : 19 HOURS : 35 MINUTES

The “frozen in time” clock serves as a constant reminder of the ineptitude of the Williamsport Area School District and their refusal to acknowledge the victims of “criminal sexual misconduct” which occurred during the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

That behavior has now drawn criminal charges from authorities in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The ineptitude was outlined in a pair of 5-part series “OP-ED: Jennifer Lake Wokebegone” and “The anatomy of the WASD Anti-Racism Board Resolution”.

The entire chronology has also been outlined in “A Baseball Story in the Birthplace of Little League Baseball”.

From “OP-ED: Jennifer Lake Wokebegone”:

The indisputable timeline of insanity regarding the Myrtle Beach incident compared to the anti-racism Resolution unanimously approved last night defies logic.

• WASD concludes investigation of Myrtle Beach incident June 5, 2018.
• 19 months later – WASD issues Statement on handling of Myrtle Beach incident January 9, 2020.
• George Floyd who has never been a student in the WASD is killed in Minnesota on May 25, 2020.
• Less than 30 days later – WASD school board approves Anti-racism Resolution June 23, 2020
• The anti-racism Resolution is based on national events including the death of George Floyd.

So Jennifer Lake and her fellow WASD board members had a faster public response to the death of George Floyd than a “criminal sexual misconduct” incident involving students in the district.

How could I forget, child privacy laws prevented the WASD from making a statement – for 19 months!

 

This is a developing story on Talkwilliamsport.com.

According to Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, the monumentally influential media icon who transformed talk radio and politics in his decades behind the microphone, helping shape the modern-day Republican Party, died Wednesday at the age of 70 after a battle with lung cancer, his family announced.

Limbaugh’s wife, Kathryn, made the announcement on his radio show.

The radio icon learned he had Stage IV lung cancer in January 2020 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Trump at the State of the Union address days later. First lady Melania Trump then presented America’s highest civilian honor to Limbaugh in an emotional moment on the heels of his devastating cancer diagnosis.

“Rush Limbaugh: Thank you for your decades of tireless devotion to our country,” President Trump said during the address.

The full article is available here.