Photos: Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole (left) Lycoming County Magistrate Judge Gary Whiteman (right)

By Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

Star Poole, WASD school board member, failed to appear in court this afternoon in front of Lycoming County Magistrate Judge Gary Whiteman.

Poole was properly served and provided her due process rights for a hearing to set-up a payment plan on the outstanding fines and costs on multiple warrants previously issued due to unpaid court costs and fines related to multiple traffic citations from cases in June 2021.

By failing to appear, five additional “failure to appear” warrants are being issued by Lycoming County Magistrate Judge Gary Whiteman which according to PA State Law; could carry some type of jail time with them.

Additional warrants have been served upon Star Poole and she also has a court appearance scheduled in front of Lycoming County Magistrate Judge Aaron Biichle tomorrow at 2 p.m. to also set-up a payment plan on the outstanding fines and costs in a separate case.

Within the hour of publication of this story; Poole is scheduled to be sworn in as an existing board member during the Williamsport Area School District school board meeting.

It is unknown at this writing if the new warrants have been issued or if they could be served upon Star Poole at the WASD school board meeting tonight by a local Constable.

As exclusively reported by TalkWilliamsport.com earlier today; Poole is already on the WASD school board agenda tonight with an item “to discuss setting a date for a “due process” hearing since she is facing removal.”

If Poole fails to show up to WASD school board meeting tonight, the vote to remove her could occur in her absence.

The legal analysis provided by the Scaringi Law Firm for such a vote can be found here.

Full disclosure: 

Star Poole was a WASD school board member when the WASD school tax office attempted to have this author criminally charged on the basis of failing to pay WASD school taxes.

On reason and belief; it was the first criminal case of unpaid school taxes brought against a business or individual in the history of the WASD.

The case was subsequently withdrawn by the WASD school tax office. WASD Solicitor Fred Holland represented the WASD school tax office in the case.

This is an exclusive and developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Photos: Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole (right) Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner (left)

By Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

Later today and tomorrow Star Poole, WASD school board member is set for court appearances on warrants issued resulting in her failure to pay court costs and fines.

Tonight, she is set to be sworn in as a WASD school board member to serve another year of her expiring term.

On the WASD school board agenda tonight is an item to discuss setting a date for a “due process” hearing since she is facing removal.

On background and legal analysis provided by Scaringi Law in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania:

Issue 1:

Is a school board member owed a “due process” hearing when facing removal by the Board for failing to attend two consecutive Board meetings?

Proposed Answer: Yes

Rule: Yes. The PA School Code does not provide the right to a due process hearing.

However, case law does. Keating v. Jordan , 181 Pa. 168, 37 A. 199 (1897).

Case facts: A current school board member is often absent from meetings. During open session of a recent meeting, the Solicitor interjected and noted that a due process hearing was likely the proper procedure moving forward.

Applicable law: 24 P.S. §3-319: If any person having qualified as school director…shall neglect or refuse to attend two successive regular meetings of the school board…, unless detained by sickness, or prevented by necessary absence from the district…, the remaining members of the board may declare his office as director vacant. His office shall be filled from the qualified electors of the district. (emphasis added).

This statute provides a course of action for board members to remove other members. If any member fails to attend two successive regular meetings, the Board may remove that Director.

This language is repeated in the School Board Policy Manual for the Williamsport Area School District.

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]

The removal of a Board member who resigns shall become effective upon the presentation of the resignation to the Board President and upon the date specified.

A Board member who neglects or refuses to attend two (2) successive regular meetings of the Board, unless detained by sickness or prevented by necessary absence from the district, or if in attendance at any meeting neglects or refuses to act in his/her official capacity as a school director, may be removed from his/her office on the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining members of the Board.[22][23]

If a person elected or appointed as a Board member, having been notified, shall refuse or neglect to qualify as such director, the remaining members may, within ten (10) days following the beginning of his/her term of office, declare said office vacant on the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining members of the Board.[22][23]”

Back to Scaringi Law analysis:

Under 24 P.S. §3-319, the Directors cannot declare vacant the seat of a Director who neglects to attend two successive regular meetings of the Board until after the adjournment of the second meeting. Zulich v. Bowman, 42 Pa. 83 (1862).

Furthermore, a Director can only be removed on notice to him or her, and an opportunity to show sickness or absence from the district as an excuse. Keating v. Jordan , 181 Pa. 168, 37 A. 199 (1897).

(See also Commonwealth v. Gibbons , 196 Pa. 97, 100, 46 A. 313, 314 (1900) “The act does not make absence from two regular meetings necessarily a cause for ouster, but only ‘unless detained by sickness or prevented by absence from the district.’  Conceding that the burden of showing such excuse would be upon the absent member, he would nevertheless be entitled to notice and an opportunity to be heard to present it and this could not be afforded without a subsequent meeting.”)

This requirement for notice and an opportunity to show excuse is what is referred to as “due process.”

 

STAR POOLE WARRANTS AND COURT APPEARANCES

At this writing WASD school board member Star Poole has warrants issued in multiple Lycoming County Magisterial District Courts against her. Since she has agreed to appear in court a stay has been placed on the warrants pending adjudication of the cases.

Poole plead guilty and is set to appear before Lycoming County Magistrate Judge Gary Whiteman today at 2:45 p.m. to set-up a payment plan on the outstanding fines and costs.

Another of the warrants has been served upon Star Poole and she has a court appearance scheduled in front of Lycoming County Magistrate Judge Aaron Biichle tomorrow at 2 p.m. to also set-up a payment plan on the outstanding fines and costs.

With these undisputed facts in the record; has Star Poole further disqualified herself from serving on the WASD school board based again on the School Board Policy Manual for the Williamsport Area School District?

Qualifications

Each member of the Board shall meet the following qualifications:

1. Be of good moral character, be eighteen (18) years of age, shall have been a resident of the district for at least one (1) year prior to the date of his/her election or appointment, and shall not be a holder of any office or position as specified in Section 322 of the School Code; nor shall the individual be a member of the municipal council.[4]

 

Why did WASD Solicitor Fred Holland bring up to the WASD school board the fact board member Star Poole had missed three consecutive meetings and would be eligible for removal?

Instead, once a formal petition and complaint was filed with Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner to remove Star Poole as a WASD school board member; Holland came up with the “due process” hearing idea which does not exist in the School Board Policy Manual for the Williamsport Area School District.

By the time Holland got around to offering Poole a “due process” hearing date discussion; Poole had missed 9 out of 10 board meetings.

The WASD school board meeting is tonight at 6 p.m. where Lycoming County President Judge Nancy Butts will perform the oath of office ceremony for the new board members. The newly sworn in school board will then vote on officers for the next year.

 

Full disclosure: 

Star Poole was a WASD school board member when the WASD school tax office attempted to have this author criminally charged on the basis of failing to pay WASD school taxes.

On reason and belief; it was the first criminal case of unpaid school taxes brought against a business or individual in the history of the WASD.

The case was subsequently withdrawn by the WASD school tax office. WASD Solicitor Fred Holland represented the WASD school tax office in the case.

This is an exclusive and developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Photos: WBP Logo, (top left) Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter (top right),

Peter Herdic Transportation Museum (bottom)

 

By Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

 

As Mayor Slaughter continues to navigate the waters of multiple audits of the city finances, a public corruption criminal case being looked into by the Pennsylvania Attorney General and the day-to-day obligations of running a municipality; did he miss a critical sentence on a property deed when he allowed the Williamsport Bureau of Police to relocate to the former Peter Herdic Transportation Museum – he also falsely claimed to be instructed to close by PENNDOT?

According to property records which were publicly filed on June 3, 2008 4564-340 and obtainable by anyone at the Lycoming County Courthouse; the deed to the property the Peter Herdic Transportation Museum sits on states the following:

 

UNDER AND SUBJECT to the covenants and restrictions which shall run with the title to the land and form a part of the consideration thereafter. Said covenant is as follows:

The use of this property shall be used only for only a transportation museum, open space, recreational land from the boundary with E.V.B. LLC land westward to the extension of the western boundary line of the Thomas Taber Museum property.

From this extension line west, the use can be all of the foregoing, plus one-family dwellings and commercial from Third Avenue to Fifth Avenue.

 

The documents also note “Deed in lieu of condemnation” dated May 14, 2003.

 

On background, E.V.B. LLC which listed an address of The Park Home, 800 West Fourth Street, Williamsport, PA in 2008 previously showed ALLEN ERTEL, MANAGER was the previous owner of the property.

In 2003 a sale for $349,000 from E.V.B. LLC to the City of Williamsport was recorded in Lycoming County property records.

The Lycoming County Housing Authority sold the property again to the City of Williamsport in 2006.

On the same day in 2006 the City of Williamsport transferred the property to LCHA Finance for $1.

The City of Williamsport reacquired the Peter Herdic Museum and the 2.5 acres it sits on in 2008 for $1.

 

The deed was then further amended on July 24, 2008, and the last sentence from the 2003 deed noted above 6370-224, Covenants was removed.

From this extension line west, the use can be all of the foregoing, plus one-family dwellings and commercial from Third Avenue to Fifth Avenue.

 

On background regarding former Congressman Allen Ertel, obtained from open internet source Wikipedia:

Allen Edward Ertel (November 7, 1937 – November 19, 2015) was an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Pennsylvania’s 17th congressional district from 1977 to 1983.

Allen Ertel was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He graduated with an AB from Dartmouth College in 1958, an MS from the Thayer School of Engineering and MBA from the Tuck School of Business in 1959, and a LL.B. Yale Law School in 1965. He served in the United States Navy from 1959 to 1962.

He clerked for Chief Judge Caleb Wright of the Federal District Court of Delaware from 1965 to 1966, and was the Lycoming County district attorney from 1967 to 1977. He was a delegate to Democratic National Convention in 1972.

Ertel was elected in 1976 as a Democrat to the 95th, 96th, and 97th Congresses. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1982, but was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania. After his unsuccessful run for governor, he unsuccessfully sought the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General in 1984, before returning to the practice of law in Williamsport.

Ertel died on November 19, 2015 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania after suddenly collapsing, aged 78. He was survived by his wife Catherine and their two children.

 

If the former Peter Herdic Transportation Museum can only be used as a museum; how is the Williamsport Bureau of Police occupying the property?

Is Mayor Slaughter receiving ineffective counsel from the City Solicitors?

Current City Solicitor Norm Lubin is a signer on multiple property documents noted above in his capacity as Solicitor for the City of Williamsport.

This is an exclusive story on TalkWilliamsport.com.

Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole(left)

Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner (right)

By Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

The days of Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole serving on the Williamsport Area School District School Board may soon be coming to an end.

TalkWilliamsport.com has exclusively obtained a Civil Complaint filed by the former landlord of Star Poole in which more than $12,000 worth of damage was done to the apartment at 844 High Street in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

According to sources the damage was extensive.

Poole lived in the apartment with her 5 children.

Based on information obtained for this story; Poole had a lease that expired at the end of May 2021 and was still residing at the apartment on June 11, 2021 when the landlord showed up to inform Poole it was time to vacate the premises.

During that process, Lycoming Children and Youth Services was contacted and arrived within the hour.

Upon arrival, CYS “condemned the property as uninhabitable”.

Matt Wood of Lycoming Children and Youth Services did not respond to a request for comment on this story.

Poole subsequently vacated the property.

At this writing Star Poole has custody of her five children.

 

The Civil Complaint filed on August 18, 2021 with Lycoming County District Magistrate Judge Aaron Biichle was served via hand delivery on Star Poole at 38 Bower Street, Montgomery, PA 17752 which at the time is where she resided along with her 5 children.

 

According to the WASD website; the Williamsport Area School District School Board held regularly scheduled meetings on the following dates and the attendance of each director is noted in the meeting minutes:

• June 1 – PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Cody L. Derr, Patrick A. Dixon, Lisa M. Nible, Jane L. Penman,
  Adam C. Welteroth. ABSENT: Jennifer Lake, Star Poole, Barbara D. Reeves.
• June 15 – PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Patrick A. Dixon, Jennifer Lake, Lisa M. Nible, Jane L. Penman,
  Adam C. Welteroth. ABSENT: Cody L. Derr, Star Poole, Barbara D. Reeves.
• July 20 – PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Cody L. Derr, Jennifer Lake, Lisa M. Nible, Star Poole,
  Barbara D. Reeves, Adam C. Welteroth. ABSENT: Patrick A. Dixon, Jane L. Penman,
• August 3 – PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Cody L. Derr, Jennifer Lake, Lisa M. Nible, Jane L. Penman,
  Adam C. Welteroth. ABSENT: Patrick A. Dixon, Star Poole, Barbara D. Reeves.
• August 17 – PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Patrick A. Dixon, Jennifer Lake, Lisa M. Nible, Jane L. Penman,
  Barbara D. Reeves, Adam C. Welteroth. ABSENT: Cody L. Derr, Star Poole. 
• September 7 – PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Cody L. Derr, Patrick A. Dixon, Jennifer Lake, Lisa M. Nible, Barbara D. Reeves, Adam C. Welteroth. ABSENT:  Jane L. Penman, Star Poole. 
• September 21 – PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Patrick A. Dixon, Jennifer Lake, Lisa M. Nible,
  Jane L. Penman, Barbara D. Reeves. ABSENT: Cody L. Derr, Star Poole, Adam C. Welteroth
• October 5 – PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Cody L. Derr, Jennifer Lake, Lisa M. Nible, Jane L. Penman,
  Barbara D. Reeves, Adam C. Welteroth. ABSENT: Patrick A. Dixon, Star Poole.
• October 19 – The Minutes have not been publicly posted to the WASD website.

Of the eight regularly scheduled meetings of the WASD school board from June 1 – October 5, 2021, Star Poole only attended the meeting on July 20, 2021.

The Civil Complaint outlines expenses incurred by the landlord as follows:

WMWA – $190.10

A-Z Pest Control – $159.00

Bower Disposal – $20.00

Dave Trice Hauling – $1,100.00

Repairs/Painting/Cleaning – $10,500.00

Beiter’s – $1,251.86

Rent – $600.00

McCormick Law – $333.00

Less Security Deposit $815.00

 

Filing Costs $140/$40.25

Service Costs $17.74

Constable ED. $5.00

Judgement – $12,000.00

Fees Total $202.99

A Civil Action hearing was scheduled in the case for October 11, 2021. Poole did not appear for the hearing. A Default Judgement was entered in favor of the landlord ABC Realty, Inc of Williamsport against Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole for $12,202.99.

 

In advance of this story, on October 21, 2021, Talkwilliamsport.com received information WASD school board member Star Poole has begun purging and scrubbing her social media presence. Sources have also said she is very close to resigning as a board member.

 

Also on, October 21, 2021 posted on its Facebook page:

“BREAKING NEWS: WASD school board member Star Poole has multiple active warrants due to her failure to pay fines and court costs in multiple traffic cases. She also recently had a city landlord obtain a civil judgement of more than $12,000 relating to her previous apartment being heavily damaged. Poole was served with the civil complaint in-person at a Montgomery address where she has been residing. #DEVELOPING”

 

Copies of the warrants referenced above were sought earlier today from Lycoming County District Magistrate Judge Aaron Biichle. The request was denied on two grounds, confidential information and they have not yet been served on Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole.

Is this the primary reason Poole has been so frequently absent from WASD school board meetings?

The fear of being served with warrants on camera, in front of the public she serves?

How many fellow WASD school board members are aware of her situation?

Were fellow WASD school board members Jennifer Lake and Barbara Reeves providing Star Poole with transportation to board meetings?

 

Is the general public aware WASD school board member is not gainfully employed and also does not have a currently valid drivers license?

In the days leading up to Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole being evicted from her High Street apartment, South Williamsport Police pulled her over on June 5, 2021 and cited her for “Driving Without a License”.

She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $295.00 and put on a $20.00 per month payment plan.

SWPD also cited her for “Driving While Operating Privilege Suspended or Revoked”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $467.34 and put on a $20.00 per month payment plan.

Additionally, she was cited with two counts of “Restraint Systems – Child Booster Seat”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $162.00 and put on a $20.00 per month payment plan.

During the same incident, Poole was cited for “Vehicle Registration Suspended”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $195.00 and put on a $20.00 per month payment plan.

 

Poole is no stranger to the Williamsport Bureau of Police which also has some of its ranks serve as School Resource Officers in the Williamsport Area School District.

On January 2, 2019, Officer Stevens charged Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole with “Driving Without a License”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $302.50.

Additionally, she was cited for “Operating a Vehicle without Required Financial Responsibility”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $355.00. 

During the same incident, Poole was cited for “Driving Unregistered Vehicle”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $130.00.

Poole was also cited for “Operating a Vehicle without Valid Inspection”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $80.00. Poole was also cited for “Vehicle Registration Suspended”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $155.00.

 

On February 22, 2019, the same Officer Stevens charged Star Daisha Keisha Estelle Poole with “Driving While Operating Privilege Suspended or Revoked”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $255.00.

Additionally, she was cited for “Operating a Vehicle without Required Financial Responsibility”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $355.00. 

During the same incident, Poole was cited for “Driving Unregistered Vehicle”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $177.50.

During the same incident, Poole was cited for “Operating a Vehicle without Valid Inspection“. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $65.00.

After announcing her candidacy in 2019 for WASD school board she sat down with “On The Pulse” for this  Interview.

 

On October 12, 2018 Pennsylvania State Police cited Poole for “Obligation Upon Termination of Financial Responsibility”. She subsequently pled guilty and was fined and assessed court costs totaling $573.69. 

The warrants noted above are related to unpaid court fines and costs.

 

Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner was contacted for this story and asked the following; “If a petition or complaint was being prepared as in the Schefsky case to be delivered to your office tomorrow based on her (Poole) lack of district residency. Upon its receipt, what would your office then be inclined to do?

Gardner provided the following response;

“If a complaint/petition is received by the Office of District Attorney, the allegations will be reviewed and a determination will be made whether to further investigate.”

At this writing Star Poole is a WASD school board member of which Lori Baer serves as President.

Dr. Timothy Bowers serves as Superintendent of the Williamsport Area School District.

Petitions have begun circulating to have Poole as well as the rest of the WASD school board removed from their positions.

The general election is set to be held one week from tomorrow November 2, 2021 where a number of current WASD school board members appear on the ballot.

This is an exclusive developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com

By Todd Bartley, TalkWilliamsport.com

News@TalkWilliamsport.com

According to the official WASD Statement from January 9, 2020 regarding the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip to Myrtle Beach which reads in part:

“The Williamsport Area School District does not condone inappropriate and indecent behavior.”

Instead, they reward it with a Gold medal!

ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 who has subsequently been criminally charged in South Carolina for his actions during the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip in Myrtle Beach; was awarded a PIAA District II/IV District Championship medal on May 28, 2018 when Williamsport defeated Hazleton at PNC Park, 4-3 in the 2018 District II/IV Baseball 6A Sub-regional Final.

The photo taken with his mother and father with the gold medal around his neck does not lie.

He actually played in the game on On May 24, 2018 when Williamsport defeated West Scranton at Bucknell University, 14-2 in Round 2 of the 2018 District II/IV Baseball 6A Sub-regional.

So, how if a Childline call was received on May 18, 2018 by Lycoming Children and Youth Services and immediately referred to the Office of then Lycoming County District Attorney Ken Osokow (he has a son that used to play for the Millionaires) assigned the case to then Lycoming County Chief Detective Willie Weber (he has a son that used to play for the Millionaires too).

The explanation is commonly referred to as – “The Millionaire Way”.

 

“The Millionaire Way” as defined by 2018 WAHS baseball team senior Cody Shimp, who is currently a member of the St. Bonaventure baseball team and holds a leadership position as the “Atlantic 10 representative to the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a two-year term that began July 1.”

JOHN DOE #1 former teammate Cody Shimp (brother of Rickey Stryker) shared a Facebook post on September 7, 2018 in light of reporting on the Myrtle Beach incident; in part he stated –

“I learned that as being a Williamsport Millionaire, your (sic) always under the spotlight.

You ever hear of any other stories coming out about other local schools?

No.

That’s because people are jealous of us.

They won’t admit it, but they are.

“No ignorant parents because their kid wasn’t good enough to play for the program.

They’d kill to be a part of a legendary community that sticks together until the end.”

 

From PART III:

Talk Williamsport has confirmed George Lepley was in Myrtle Beach with the Millionaires Baseball Team to see his grandson Caleb Joy play.

Caleb Joy along with Cam Pardoe, Tanner Esposito, Isaac Snyder, Tyler McCann, Cody Shimp, Ryan Jolin and Cam Dickey had their names released by WASD as part of the RTKL requests since they were the age of majority at the time of the Myrtle Beach trip.

Has Cody Shimp as the pitcher who closed out the District II/IV title game on the mound as a great teammate come to the assistance of once of his sexually assaulted teammates over the past four years, having won a Gold medal along side ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1, right?

Nope.

The same Cody Shimp who according to his St. Bonaventure baseball bio:

“was on the mound to close out a win for Williamsport

in the team’s District 2-4 Class 6A championship as a senior …

elected senior class president … also played basketball.”

 

The bio also says, Cody “has three siblings: Ricky, Lachelle and Nastayssia.”

 

With the ground rules set based on the “The Millionaire Way” –

“and to be a part of a legendary community that sticks together until the end.”

 

Is that why VIDEOGRAPHER #1 is missing from the photos of the game on on May 28, 2018 when Williamsport defeated Hazleton at PNC Park, 4-3 in the 2018 District II/IV Baseball 6A Sub-regional Final.

Had Brandon Pardoe already given him his punishment of a two game suspension before then Lycoming County Chief Detective Willie Weber even interviewed him?

Did the WASD prey upon the fact that VIDEOGRAPHER #1 was not represented by an attorney?

Was one offered to him?

Did he feel protected since Attorney George Lepley was on the trip and stayed in the team hotel and was visible during the trip?

According to the interview conducted by the Office of Attorney General Josh Shapiro; VIDEOGRAPHER #1 was never interviewed by Weber.

 

From PART XXIV – “The unmasking of the non-punishments stay true to the Millionaire Way”

As first reported reported in Part XIX, emails were redacted by the WASD. Part XXIV provided the unredacted information.

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

 

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

How does “criminal sexual misconduct” or even “indecent and inappropriate behavior” amount to the same punishment as video recording such acts?

Unless, the moral compass was, “VIDEOGRAPHER #1 what were you thinking archiving this?”

“VIDEOGRAPHER #1 how could you put the Millionaire Way in jeopardy?”

“VIDEOGRAPHER #1 without that video the case would be “he said verses he said.”

“VIDEOGRAPHER #1 you created a real problem.”

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 was there never a final report on the Myrtle Beach incidents issued to the WASD school board by Dr. Pardoe?

 

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.

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”.

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.

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 TalkWilliamsport.com, 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

TalkWilliamsport.com 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.

 

Back to the WASD Statement from January 9, 2020:

 

Subject: FW: WASD Questions

Date: Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at 3:52:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: Fred Holland

To: Timothy Bowers, Brandon Pardoe, Susie Bigger

“If he (Bartley) asks again, I won’t justify it with a response…

Little more than three weeks later in September 2018; Brandon Pardoe channeled his inner Fred Holland when the Myrtle Beach Police Department reached out for answers.

Pardoe as previously noted, said:

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

 

That’s sure sounds like; “I won’t justify it with a response…”

 

Prior to your resignation, Dr. Bowers this community demands you begin the process of mitigating the damage caused in the Myrtle Beach case.

The following (updated) steps must be undertaken by the next WASD school board meeting, two weeks from tonight;

The firing of Fred Holland, WASD solicitor

The firing of Brandon Pardoe, WAHS head principal

The firing of Roger Freed, WAHS principal

The firing of Sean McCann, WAHS athletic director

The firing of Susie Bigger, WASD assistant superintendent

The firing of Wanda Erb, WASD business manager

The rescission of the coaching contracts for the entire WAHS baseball coaching staff

The resignation of every WASD school board member (including newly appointed members) who have said and done nothing to address this travesty.

Those folks all volunteered for those positions with all of the information about this case in the public domain for 3 plus years.

These moves are only the beginning of the fallout from the inaction in the Myrtle Beach case on Dr. Bowers watch.

With that in mind; history calls for the immediate resignation and rescission of the extension agreement that began July 1, 2021 of Dr. Timothy Bowers.

 

From the major motion picture “Gladiator”, prior to going into battle with the Barbarian Horde; Maximus tells his fellow patriots in the Roman army:

“What we do in life, echoes in eternity.”

You know, Dr. Bowers it rings similar to what you said (in writing) to WASD board member Jane Penman:

“In my opinion our actions are more impotent (important) than our words.”

According to a public records search, Dr. Jane Penman as a professor and department chair at Lock Haven University in 2018 had a salary of $191,706.

 

A number of fact witnesses have brought forth a concern about the permanent residence of WASD board member Star Poole. Is Star Poole prepared to provide proof of permanent residency to the taxpayers she serves?

 

As Jane Penman previously said,

“In my opinion our actions are more impotent (important) than our words.”

 

The same can be said for board member Jennifer Lake:, From PART XXX:

January 7, 2021 – WASD school board meeting; “PRESENT: Lori A. Baer, Jennifer Lake, Jane L. Penman, Patrick A. Dixon, Star Poole, Barbara D. Reeves, Marc D. Schefsky, Nancy Somers, Adam C. Welteroth.”

ITEMS FROM PUBLIC

“Carlos Saldivia of West Fourth Street addressed the Board regarding the alleged incidents that occurred in the Spring of 2018 in Myrtle Beach.He ended his comments by asking the Board to please issue a statement and to not continue to remain silent.”

ITEMS FROM BOARD MEMBERS

“Ms. (Jennifer) Lake stated that she is in a reflective time in her life with her daughter in her senior year. She recognizes the influence that teachers and principals have had on her daughter. She wanted to thank them and stated the care and dedication they give to the students does not go unnoticed.”

 

Imagine your daughter in the same situation as JOHN DOE#1 in the Myrtle Beach case. On second thought, what if you placed your adoptive black son in the shoes of JOHN DOE #1?

Better yet, stay tuned for the upcoming series on JANE DOE#1 who has been identified recently after being threatened by ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 which would be a violation of his sentence in South Carolina.

 

Back to great teammate and leader of people Cody Shimp, from April 3, 2018:

WAHS Principal Pardoe immediately responded to Ricky Stryker threat raised by Coach Ryan Miller

From: Brandon Pardoe
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2018 3:40 PM
To: Timothy Bowers <tbowers@wasd.org>; Richard Poole <rpoole@wasd.org>
Cc: Susan A. Neidig <sneidig@wasd.org>; Sean McCann <smccann@wasd.org>; Ryan Miller; Jordan Stoltzfus <jstoltzf@wasd.org>
Subject: Request

“Dr. Bowers and Dr. Poole:

I am writing to express my concern over the attached “FB Direct Message” that was sent to our head baseball coach at WAHS, Mr. Ryan Miller from Ricky Stryker. Ricky Stryker has two younger brothers on the team who are integral to the success of the team.

 

From: Brandon Pardoe
Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2018 6:19 PM
To: Jordan Stoltzfus
Subject: FW: Request

“Jordan,
Can you get me an address for Ricky Stryker?
Brandon”

 

Did SRO Stolzfus use J-Net, to look up the address of Ricky Stryker? There is no evidence that the WASD swore out an arrest warrant for Stryker relating to this incident.

 

From: Brandon Pardoe
Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2018 6:19 PM
To: Timothy Bowers
Subject: Re: Request

“I will request from Jordan and he mentioned that he is willing to hand deliver.”

 

Upon receiving word from Detective Weber

regarding the Childline call;

why did Brandon Pardoe fail to notify SRO Stolzfus

since he had emailed him just weeks earlier?

 

From PART III:

In fact Myrtle Beach PD reached out first instead of mandatory reporters reaching out.

“Mr. Pardoe’s personal notes reflect that on September 28, 2018, he received a phone call from Detective (REDACTED) of the Myrtle Beach PD.”

“Mr. Pardoe referred the detective to a local county detective (Weber).”

“Detective (REDACTED) number was (REDACTED).”

“Later that same day, Mr. Pardoe also received a phone call from Detective (REDACTED) of the MBPD who asked to speak to the school resource officer. Mr. Pardoe provided the SRO’s contact information, but did not note the detective’s contact information.”

“The SRO at that time was Jordan Stoltzfus, who has not been the district’s SRO for about a year now. Stoltzfus was then, and is now, an officer with the Williamsport Bureau of Police.”

 

So the idea, WASD school resource officers were involved in the “criminal sexual misconduct” investigation is complete and total fake news put out by the WASD and confirmed by none other than multiple WBP Police Chiefs.

What was learned in this process through another TalkWilliamsport.com Right to Know Law request is that WAHS head principal Brandon Pardoe has the email address of the school resource officer Jordan Stoltzfus, also employed by the Williamsport Bureau of Police.

Why did WAHS head principal Brandon Pardoe or then chief detective Willie Weber (former member of WBP) notify or email SRO Jordan Stoltzfus after receiving the Childline call of May 18, 2018?

 

WAHS head principal Brandon Pardoe may have provided insight into the reasons why according to interviews conducted by Special Agents with the Office of Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

 

From: Pardoe: “I have this under control”, Weber lied to ADA Yates, – Exhibit C

The juvenile male videographer’s mother said

that Pardoe came to her house.

He (PARDOE) told her:

“please don’t ever talk about what happened..

I have this under control…”

“When the affiant asked her if Pardoe said anything about law enforcement or police being involved, she said he said:

“It’s not gonna go anywhere,

not to worry about anything..

you have nothing to worry about…

I’m just here to apologize

for not having him play in two games.”

The affiant asked if Pardoe ever told the juvenile male videographer that the Myrtle Beach Police were going to be notified.

This juvenile said: “No.”

WASD school board member Barbara Reeves shared her thoughts on “Black Lives Matter” with fellow board members and Superintendent Dr. Timothy Bowers; an email exchange obtained with a Right to Know Request from TalkWilliamsport.

On Wed, June 12, 2020, 1:38 PM Barbara Reeves (REDACTED) wrote:

“Thank you Dr. Bowers for sharing that information. This is a rough one for me.

While the statement will not be in support of Black Lives Matter, I hope we can all agree that

black lives matter!!!

I am not attempting to cause a debate or to insinuate in any way all lives do not matter, because they do. We are all created equally by the Creator.

This is just a time that people of color need the world to acknowledge that they value their lives.

This is especially true for colleagues, friends and acquaintances. My husband and I have had to sit at our table and have “the talk” with our son; not about sex but about what to do (and not do) if you are stopped by a police officer. We’ve told him, these are your rights. However, at the end of the day, we want you to come home.

He has recently shared more stories of all the times he’s been stopped while in school at U Albany for stupid infractions. He just shared how he was told by certain young ladies in middle school and high school that they weren’t allowed to like him because of what their parents said. This is heartbreaking. He’s always been a well-rounded kid, honor roll, star athlete, and just a flat out gentleman.

Yet, young Caucasian girls were taught that he’s not good enough because of the color of his skin!

Fast forward: I now have a grandson that is due to be born in the next 2 weeks. His father is white and admits that he is clueless concerning what his son will face while growing up. As much as we say racism does not exist, we must admit that it does. Then we must check our own hearts. Right now, if we do nothing or remain quiet, we contribute to the agenda. It’s not enough to have a black friend or a black coworker.

What have you done to support their cause?

We are talking about a people who were considered as 3/5 of a person.

How long should it take to gain the respect of the other 2/5 that makes a whole.

It’s not enough to be colorblind because that means that you do not see me! I heard a man say, we must be like a salad , not a melting pot. You can distinguish between the lettuce, the carrots, the cucumber, and the tomato. What kind of salad would it be if there was only lettuce? I wouldn’t that.

For those of you who read to the end, thanks for your time. Dr. Bowers, we are behind the 8-ball on this one. We must put out a statement that is heartfelt and not simply political, as you’ve stated.

Sincerely,

Barb Reeves”

Sent from my iPhone

 

Mrs. Reeves, failed to second the motion made by fellow board member Adam Welteroth to open a discussion of opening a third party investigation into the handling of the Myrtle Beach case at a previous school board meeting.

Is Mrs. Reeves in her own words failing to acknowledge JOHN DOE #1 – who is black?

What have you done to support their cause?

We are talking about a people who were considered as 3/5 of a person.

How long should it take to gain the respect of the other 2/5 that makes a whole.

 

Would Lori Baer, who received the written thoughts of Barbara Reeves and Jennifer Lake as WASD School Board President be in a position to allow Pardoe to conduct his own investigations as well as silence WASD Solicitor Fred Holland?

Previous stories in regard to the incidents in Myrtle Beach have been published by TalkWilliamsport.com then shared to the Facebook page of the then radio stations.

A poster made the statement in regard to this author “this man is an asshole!”

Baer subsequently “Liked it”.

Is that the kind conduct a sitting school board president should be modeling to the staff, students and district stakeholders when she claims to be a “good person?”

 

A two game suspension flies in the face of the codified WASD policies and procedures on Harassment, Bullying and Hazing which were addressed in PART IV.

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”

 

The facts in this case all point to protecting a well off white teammate who sexually assaulted a black teammate during a team trip to Myrtle Beach and instead of doing the right thing in real time or ever after the fact; the behavior was rewarded with a gold medal.

Looking ahead at the adults who assisted in the cover-up; the participation trophies may be silver bracelets, prison orange in a Palmetto state penitentiary and significant civil litigation from victims whom the WASD still refuses to recognize.

The good news is, at least the WASD has an Anti-Racism statement on file. It will most certainly be used as evidence in all of the legal cases moving forward.

 

During the public comment section of the WASD baord meeting tonight a member of the public engaged Dr. Timothy Bowers in a dialogue to which Bowers stated:

“I’m telling you we are following the rules, we’re very adamant about following the mandates…

this is the proper thing to do…our district plays by the rules…

we’re doing what we’re suppose to be doing…

if anything it should be a good thing for a taxpayer to say…

I’m glad to say the school district is doing what they need to do; what they’re supposed to do.”

Bowers concluded, “And that’s what we’re trying to do.”

 

Dr. Bowers apparently was speaking about Covid-19, but could it apply to the 2018 WAHS baseball/Myrtle Beach “criminal sexual misconduct” case?

Dr. Bowers and his administration doing the right thing in that case?

That would just be fake news.

Just more Gold Medal Behavior from good people who should have called the Myrtle Beach Police Department (since they knew it was their jurisdiction) along The Millionaire Way making it a Great Day to be a Millionaire!

Recently, other local media outlets have fumbled this fact in their coverage; so to provide complete clarity and transparency TalkWilliamsport.com is releasing the completely unredacted versions of the three OAG Search Warrants for the public to review.

 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Juvenile male victim #1 – is black, juvenile male suspect #1 – is white.

 

On September 3, 2020, OAG Special Agent David Scicchitano had a pair of OAG Search Warrants approved by Lycoming County Senior Judge Nancy Butts at 10:10 a.m.

The first OAG Search Warrant was served on Willie Weber, Lycoming County Detective at 10:42 a.m. on September 3, 2020. The Warrant issued sought his phone and records contained therein related to the “2018 WAHS Baseball team Myrtle Beach Trip”.

OAG WEBER SEARCH WARRANT 9-3-20

 

OAG Special Agent David Scicchitano, then proceeded to the Williamsport Area School District where he personally served the second OAG Search Warrant on Dr. Timothy Bowers, WASD Superintendent on September 3, 2020 at 11:57 a.m.

The Warrant issued, sought “an unredacted version of letter from Attorney George Lepley to Brandon Pardoe and Shawn McCann, 5/31/2018 Re: Misconduct Myrtle Beach.”

OAG WASD SEARCH WARRANT 9-3-20

 

OAG Special Agent David Scicchitano returned to the Williamsport Area School District on September 4, 2020 at 8:o5 a.m. as noted in the OAG Search Warrant “date of return” noting “Yes” to “Property Seized as Result of Search”.

Then he returned to the Lycoming County Courthouse on September 4, 2020 at 8:18 a.m. as noted in the OAG Search Warrant “date of return” noting “Yes” to “Property Seized as Result of Search”.

 

The third OAG Search Warrant was again served on Dr. Timothy Bowers, WASD Superintendent of the Williamsport Area School District on September 24, 2020 at 11:o0 a.m.

The Warrant issued, sought “files/records pertaining to 2018 Williamsport baseball team Myrtle Beach trip.” As well as the cell phone of Brandon Pardoe, WAHS head principal.

OAG WASD SEARCH WARRANT 9-24-20

 

Another exclusive TalkWilliamsport.com report included the legal invoices paid by the WASD confirming interviews conducted by the OAG with WASD staff.

The article “AG interviews of Dr. Bowers, Pardoe and Erb confirmed in WASD Legal Services Invoices” was based on multiple Right to Know Law requests filed by TalkWilliamsport.com.

 

Last week, when Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner was provided a copy of each of the OAG Search Warrants noted in this story he issued the following statement:

“Upon arrival to the office Tuesday, September 28,

I was provided with a copy of the Attorney General’s previously sealed search warrants

in the Myrtle Beach/Williamsport baseball matter.

I immediately requested a meeting with (Lycoming County) Detective (William) Weber.

During this meeting Detective Weber informed me that he was retiring, effective immediately.

Today is Detective Weber’s 40th anniversary as a law enforcement officer.”

Ryan Gardner, District Attorney Lycoming County

 

After other local media outlets reporting on the story for the first time, completely butchered the story; DA Gardner issued a statement after local fake news reports on the Myrtle Beach case.

Not long after that statement was issued, the WASD issued their own version of events.

“WASD issues statement in wake of bombshell OAG search warrant release” – October 1, 2021.

 

Returning to PART XXVIII:

The Williamsport Area School District has also failed to publicly acknowledge the exclusive reporting of TalkWilliamsport.com on September 29, 2020 of the existence of any “OAG Search Warrant”.

 

If that was not enough on a news filled Friday late in the day Talkwilliamsport.com began receiving numerous first hand accounts from Williamsport Area High School students and parents that Brandon Pardoe, WAHS high school head principal had been taken into law enforcement custody.

WASD Solicitor, Fred Holland who has characterized the Myrtle Beach incident as “indecent and inappropriate behavior” was contacted.

Holland, stated, “Dr. Pardoe has not been arrested.”

 

As a further follow-up, Williamsport Bureau of Police Chief Justin Snyder was contacted.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Full disclosure, this author previously coached the daughter of WBP Chief Snyder in youth soccer. This fact was brought up with Snyder before he went on the record.

When asked if Dr. Pardoe had been arrested; according to WBP Chief Snyder, “It was not our agency.”

Chief Snyder then volunteered he was familiar with the Right to Know Law request previously filed by TalkWilliamspot.com for WBP records pertaining to the “2018 WAHS Baseball team Myrtle Beach Trip and the WBP involvement in the investigation.”

According to WBP Chief Snyder,

“Our agency has never been involved in the investigation.”

 

The assertion by current WBP Chief Snyder and previous RTKL responses offered by Chief Hagan seem to contradict the official WASD statement of January 9, 2020 which reads in part:

In addition to the district’s own investigation, the matter was investigated by outside agencies, including the Lycoming County District Attorney’s office and law enforcement in Myrtle Beach. When contacted by Myrtle Beach authorities, the high school principal immediately referred them to the district attorney’s office and the district’s school resource officers, who serve with the Williamsport Bureau of Police. All questions regarding why charges were or were not pursued can be deferred to those agencies, as those decisions are not made by the school district.

The fundamental question in this case, even if you believe none of the adults knew of the incident in Myrtle Beach; why did they not notify the Myrtle Beach Police since that is where the incident occurred?

Talkwilliamsport.com obtained the following phone call between Brandon Pardoe in his own words speaking with Detective Aiesi of the Myrtle Beach Police on September 28, 2018 with a Freedom of Information Act Request.

Here is the call in its entirety:

 

 

Pardoe fails to disclose to Detective Aiesi or any member of the Myrtle Beach Police he had already run an investigation of his own.

At the 6:22 mark Pardoe states:

“I know its in your jurisdiction.”

 

Pardoe also failed to disclose he had been in the living room of “VIDEOGRAPHER #1” to apologize for that player having to sit out 2 games due to his actions.

The same punishment assessed to ALLEGED PERPETRATOR #1 who has been criminally charged by the Myrtle Beach Police for his actions during the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip.

Pardoe never asks the MBPD; “are you aware of the video of the incident.”

How would we provide that (nearly 5 months after receiving it) to you?

 

Is this the behavior of “good people”?

 

The next meeting of the WASD school board is Tuesday evening at 6 p.m.

 

TalkWilliamsport.com will have more on this developing story as events unfold.

The Williamsport Area School District issues damage control statement after the bombshell findings in the Office Of Attorney General unsealed search warrants.

To date, WAHS head principal has only ever apologized to the “male juvenile videographer” for being suspended two games.

Pardoe did so, according to the OAG unsealed search warrants in front of the mother of that child in their living room.

There is no documented or recorded record of any kind that Pardoe or detective Weber ever apologized to JOHN DOE #1 (who is black) or John Doe #2 (who is white) for the actions of the criminally charged in South Carolina, (male juvenile #1).

The WASD statement is below:

Todd Bartley, Talkwilliamsport.com

News@Talkwilliamsport.com

 

TalkWilliamsport.com exclusively broke the story of Lycoming County Detective Weber retiring after being presented with the unsealed OAG search warrants.

The unsealed OAG search warrants were first obtained by TalkWilliamsport.com.

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

Exhibit D

Multiple local print and digital media outlets then began engaging in a plagiarism campaign of information from this media outlet. Information that has been exclusively reported by this media outlet for nearly four years.

Having never filed a single Right to Know Law or Freedom of Information request to any agencies involved in the case; these same “media outlets” now report on this case as if they have been for nearly four years.

That assertion is indeed fake news.

The fake news reporting left Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan Gardner who referred the matter to Attorney General Josh Shapiro in May of 2020 as exclusively reported by this media outlet; in an untenable position this week.

Of note, the statement below was not provided to this media outlet since the reporting has been and continues to be the most accurate and reliable.

Gardner issued the following statement this afternoon.

 

Press Release 10-1-21

Tuesday, September 28, 2020, Lycoming County Detective William Weber announced his retirement following forty (40) years of service as a law enforcement officer.  Since this announcement, various news articles have been published that attempt to outline the investigation that occurred as a result of an incident that occurred in Myrtle Beach involving the Williamsport Area High School baseball team. 

The timelines reported by one or more media sources has created confusion regarding the status of the Attorney General’s Investigation into this matter.  As you likely recall, after assuming office as the Lycoming County District Attorney in January 2020, I referred the Myrtle Beach case to the Office of Attorney General (OAG) for further investigation.  The referral was made to the OAG in May 2020.  I issued a detailed press release early May 2020 outlining the reasons for which this matter was referred to the Attorney General. 

The OAG formally assumed jurisdiction of the Myrtle Beach Investigation May 27, 2020.  It is important to note that once a referral is accepted by the OAG, this Office has no more involvement with the case. After the OAG assumed jurisdiction, the OAG filed under seal three separate search warrants during September 2020.  When a search warrant is filed under the seal, the warrant is not accessible to the general public until that warrant is made releasable by the Prothonotary’s Office.  The warrants filed under seal by the OAG during the month of September 2020 were not accessible to this Office nor were the contents of the sealed warrants shared with this Office.  

On or about July 1, 2021, I received a letter from the OAG indicating, “[f]ollowing a lengthy and thorough investigation, the OAG has determined that insufficient evidence exists to justify any further action.  As such, we are closing our file.”  I subsequently shared this information with various media outlets and one or more news articles were published at that time. 

On Tuesday, September 28, 2021, it was brought to my attention that the warrants previously filed under seal by the OAG during September 2020 were made releasable.  It is my understanding that the warrants were made releasable on or about September 23 or September 24.  Copies of the warrants were provided to me on the morning of the 28th.  Following my review of the warrants, I immediately requested a meeting with Detective Weber and during this meeting held Tuesday afternoon he indicated to me that he was retiring, effective immediately.  

It is important to emphasize that the very recent release of the warrants previously filed under seal does not suggest that the OAG’s investigation is ongoing.  Any evidence seized by the OAG as a result of the warrants filed under seal in September 2020 would have been obtained and analyzed by the OAG prior to my receipt of the July 1, 2021 letter from the OAG indicating that it was closing its file.  Accordingly, to my knowledge and belief there is no ongoing criminal investigation by the OAG regarding the Myrtle Beach referral.           

Ryan C. Gardner, Esq.

 

TalkWilliamsport.com has requested a legal review by its lawyers of all of the recent reporting done by local media outlets failing to properly attribute its reporting.

This is a developing story on TalkWilliamsport.com.