Photos: Former disgraced Lycoming County Chief Detective and Little League World Series Team Host Willie Weber (left)
Local attorney George Lepley (right)
Q. Okay. Did you ever try or attempt to interview (PERPETRATOR – REDACTED)?
A. George Lepley asked me not to.
By Todd Bartley
TalkWilliamsport.com
NEWS@TalkWilliamsport.com
TalkWilliamsport.com obtained the deposition transcripts attached to the “Motion for Summary Judgment” filed by attorneys representing the Williamsport Area School District in the Federal Civil Rights lawsuit filed by John Doe #1.
John Doe #1 is the former WAHS baseball player who was the victim of a criminal indecent sexual assault during the 2018 WAHS baseball team trip in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
John Doe #1 is black the teammate who assaulted him is white.
The depositions contain previously undisclosed facts from the “investigators” employed by the Williamsport Area School District and Lycoming County.
Attorney Greg Stapp who is representing John Doe #1 was asking the questions and former disgraced Lycoming County Chief Detective and Little League World Series Team Host Willie Weber provided the answers noted below.
Page 71 of the deposition of Willie Weber in part:
Q. Okay. Did you ever try or attempt to interview (PERPETRATOR – REDACTED)?
A. George Lepley asked me not to.
Q. When did George Lepley ask you not to interview (PERPETRATOR – REDACTED)?
A. To the best of my recollection it would have been right around my interview with John Doe.
Q. Which is May 30th, 2018?
A. Yes
Q. And how did that conversation take place? Phone call? Personal meeting?
A. I don’t recall. Could have been in the courthouse. I don’t recall.
GEORGE LEPLEY STAYED AT THE ATLANTICA RESORT
Talk Williamsport recently confirmed George Lepley stayed at the Atlantica Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from March 24 – March 31, 2018.
Multiple undisputed facts in the case as previously reported by TalkWilliamsport.com, Detective Weber stated he “had no jurisdiction in the case.”
When asked directly TalkWilliamsport.com if he would be sending the video depicting the “criminal indecent sexual assault” of John Doe #1 to the Myrtle Beach Police Department?
Weber replied, “we’re not going to do that.”
As a matter of historical fact neither Weber or Pardoe ever contacted the Myrtle Beach Police Department.
From the WASD filed Motion for Summary Judgment:
- Det. Weber came to the high school and, using his phone, showed Dr. Pardoe, Freed, and A.D. McCann the video of the incident. Exh. 10 Pardoe Depo. at 103:14-18; Exh. 13 McCann Depo. at 115:21—116:7, and 117:17-22. See also Exh. 22 (Freed’s interview notes May 24, 2018 (OAG001378)); Exh. 23 (Pardoe’s interview notes May 24, 2018 (OAG001367-001377)).
On background:
On May 24, 2018 WAHS defeated West Scranton 14-2 in the PIAA District II District semi-finals.
The perpetrator depicted on the video who was subsequently criminally charged in South Carolina played in the game on May 24, 2018 for WAHS.
Furthermore, on May 28, 2018 WAHS defeated Hazleton Area
4-3 in the PIAA District II District Final.
The perpetrator depicted on the video who was subsequently criminally charged in South Carolina received a Gold Medal after this game.
Based upon previously obtained WASD emails Dr. Pardoe communicated to WASD Superintendent Dr. Timothy Bowers on or about May 30, 2018 “the investigation has just begun.”
The request of Detective Weber by Lepley not to interview (PERPETRATOR – REDACTED) occurred May 30, 2018.
As previously reported by TalkWilliamsport.com, “The Lepley letter of May 31, 2018” was proffered.
Was the letter proffered after Lepley received an assurance from Weber he was abiding by the request?
Weber only attended the interview of John Doe #1 and his mother along with WAHS head principal Dr. Brandon Pardoe, WAHS assistant principal Dr. Roger Freed and WAHS athletic director Sean McCann on May 30, 2018.
Weber did not attend the June 5, 2018 meeting with the (PERPETRATOR – REDACTED) his parents, Attorney George Lepley, WAHS head principal Dr. Brandon Pardoe, WASD Superintendent Dr. Timothy Bowers and WASD Solicitor Fred Holland.
Freed and McCann also sat out the June 5, 2018 meeting.
From WASD emails previously obtained by TalkWilliamsport.com through multiple Right-To-Know Law requests:
Dr. Pardoe: In addition, Agent Weber contacted me yesterday to let me know that he as well has spoken to George Lepley about the incident.
A Baseball Story In The Birthplace Of Little League Baseball – PART XIX
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)
You know, the same Brandon Pardoe, Dr. Bowers thanked for updating him on an investigation that began May 30, 2018; 12 days after the initial Childline call was made.
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
June 1, 2018 email excerpt
Pardoe:
“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.”
Previously, when pressed on similar issues in this story WASD Solicitor Fred Holland offered the following in an e-mail to those involved in the investigation he approved according to the statement offered by the district.
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…
So is this why Lepley felt comfortable offering this statement on the Talk Williamsport Facebook page?
Sunday, July 28, 2019, 1:09 p.m.
George E Lepley Jr This matter was reviewed by law enforcement in Myrtle Beach and found to NOT be appropriate for criminal prosecution. I don’t think you can get anymore independent than that
