Ejiofor lived there with other Eastside girls and boys basketball players from Nigeria, including Juliet James and ThankGod Okenwa, according to school documents obtained by NJ Advance Media. One student, Bravo junior Andy Garcia, hadnt said much during the discussion. He left Paterson midway through the season and returned to Puerto Rico. Alberto Maldonado sat down with NJ Advance Media for a revealing and wide-ranging Q&A Tuesday. Eastside High School. "The post included a video with offensive content that will not be tolerated. "I used to play great players that are already in the NBA. He did not stick around for answers. For now, we are continuing to vet all of the information coming in and we hope to have additional information to report to our readers soon. All rights reserved. ", Said Edwin Rodriguez: "(Griles) basically put my sons' lives at risk putting them in this house with this drug addict. Neither do we. We have now invited the administrators and faculty to rejoin us on the first day of school. Given the broad investigatory powers this federal agency possesses when it comes to all manner of cybercrime there is literally no telling what facets of this saga it could be probing. As we exclusively reported on July 23, 2020, allegations ofserious financial irregularitiesatthe prestigiousThornblade Clubpromptedan investigationby the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) an agency with broad jurisdictional authority when it comes to cyber-enabled financial crimes.. He has also written three novels and two column collections. There was no disagreement on that point, or on another one: I was disappointed, but I was not surprised, said Carol Martnez, a Roosevelt senior who has been accepted by two California State University schools and Loyola University New Orleans but is hoping to get into UCLA, USC, UC Santa Barbara or Wesleyan. I constantly see how students with amazing GPAs and stats, and amazing stories and extracurriculars are not going to the colleges they should have earned. ICE officials are in the process of interviewing officials and players. Finally, Evans had said that one of Eastsides principals, Karen Johnson, would not be disciplined because she was going to retire. Carol said she was talking to her father about the scandal, and they wondered where the cheating stopped. Marlene Gamas, left, and advisor Christine Kelley brainstorm at Boyle Heights Beat for a story about the college admissions scandal. He formerly served as our interim president. *Fired coach wonders: How did I become guardian for 7-foot Nigerian player? Andrea Galdmez apologized for arriving a few minutes late. In the fall of 2015, officials from her high school filed a report to the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly the Department of Youth and Family Services). "Nobody wanted to spend the money once she got here. When the member refused to pay his monthly dues, his wife was reportedly provided with video evidence of her husbands infidelity. What sort of proximity are we talking about? (Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com). ", Selwyn Rodriguez during practice with Vaqueros de Bayamon in Puerto Rico. 2023 Cox Media Group. Instead, he ended up in a cramped, uncomfortable attic, fearful of the woman on the floors below, her drug habit and the visitors she attracted. More:Paterson Eastside High School basketball ban upheld by state commissioner, More:Paterson names new coach for Eastside girls basketball team, More:Michael Baker named boys basketball coach as Eastside looks to rebound from scandal. "On the patio, in the kitchen and we'd have to pick her up and bring her upstairs. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. "It was like he offered me heaven," Ortiz said. Andrea says her father paints houses and does construction work, and during the week, her mother works a graveyard janitorial job on the Westside. Soon, he said, the coach began ostracizing him during practice. For example, Lyde and a student registration secretary were able to get pay that they originally been denied during Evans tenure. When he contacted Lyde, the coach offered a spot on his team and free housing. What if she owed money to drug dealers? "Over there if you're that tall, you're like a monster. 0:57. Father Heric will go back to being the school chaplain. We had faith. She says that, on weekends, her mother makes and sells pupusas outside the South L.A. home they rent from an uncle. The school board president at the time, Chris Irving, had said Johnson was being forced to retire as punishment. 3 Ghosts (24-5 . Christine Kelley, an adult advisor to the Beat which operates under the auspices of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism said shed been on the job eight years and had never seen students deal with more pressure. But over here, you're like a god.". Ejiofor, now 18 after graduating from Eastside 10 months ago, didn't know it then, but she violated immigration laws when she entered Eastside, which is not authorized to issue I-20s. COVINGTON, Ga. - Students at Eastside High School are under fire after a social media post went viral showing discriminatory and racial remarks and actions. Sherri Davis, NCSS director of public relations, said the students involved have been disciplined. *NJSIAA slams Eastside with unprecedented penalties. The school released the following statement Friday afternoon: "We made and announced administrative changes on August 2. The change was posted the day after the school had a meeting with parents. Once students fake their way in, do the parents keep paying to have someone fix the tests they take in class? Thirteen faculty members quit in protest, most of them teachers. Absolutely. The students involved have been disciplined according to the student code of conduct. Aquino, now 18, also has blossomed on the court and will debut this month in ESPN's national Top 10 player rankings for the Class of 2018, according to Dan Olson, a girls basketball recruiting analyst. Selwyn Rodriguez and Christian Ortiz started their odyssey in Puerto Rico. And she announced on social media late last month that she verbally has committed to Oregon State, a Top 10 Division 1 program. Theres the back door, which [is] you pull strings and do donations and then theres the side door, which he kind of created. Ortiz said he regrets not speaking up and challenging Griles or others at the school. In anticipation of a radio story for the Beat, Andrea went to work on her Roosevelt campus last week and asked students what they thought of the scandal. I could have done something to help that kid," Olson continued. The first one, a senior named Luis, knew the name of the cheating scandals mastermind. For most of the kids working at the Beat, getting accepted to college is only the first hurdle. *15 questions we still want answered after taxpayer-funded special report. Eileen Shafer, the schools superintendent, submitted a status report on the 50-step plan to the New Jersey Board of Education during a recent meeting in Trenton. Thanks To Our Sponsors. (Natalie Jordan also has been suspended by the district.) There are also blackmail allegations linked to the rumored prostitution/ sex ring. In April 2015, the teenager moved to New Jersey, using a visa issued for a New York-based private school, the document said. "Nobody ever said anything to me about I-20s," Lyde said. Faculty members don't believe it and told KIRO 7 high school Principal Justyna King worked to improve the culture at the school, increased diversity and cared about academics for all students. PATERSON As a result of the basketball recruiting scandal that rocked Eastside High School in 2017, more than 100 Paterson sports coaches this year were required to pass a test . Lopez is the author most recently of Independence Day: What I Learned About Retirement, From Some Whove Done It and Some Who Never Will. His book The Soloist, inspired by his columns on his relationship with a Juilliard-trained homeless person, was a Los Angeles Times and New York Times best-seller, winner of the PEN USA Literary Award for Non-Fiction, and the subject of a Dream Works movie by the same name. He plays wheelchair basketball, he said, hoping for a scholarship. More specifically, we have been informed that investigators are looking to question a former athletics coach at Eastside over his alleged proximity to some of the central figures in this unspooling drama. My mom, shes a housekeeper and she used to work at a house in the Palisades, and the lady had kids and was very school-oriented, said Azucena Hilario, a Bravo junior. They had SAT preps and the older girl was a senior in high school, and theyd use her old tests to study, and they would hire private tutors for them.. Similarly, it is unclear whether the USSS investigation into Thornblade is tied to the alleged credit card fraud or some of the more illicit, sexually charged allegations. Ejiofor said the Jordans "did (their) best to make sure I was okay and comfortable. "I'm willing to go as far as I have to. On Saturday morning at the Boyle Heights Beat, a student-run journalism operation, the hot topic was the college entrance cheating scandal and how . Selwyn and Esteban added they rarely left that room because they feared what was happening downstairs. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association said in a statement Friday it approved the . As of this writing, we are told the internal investigation conducted by the Greenville sheriffs office into the deputys conduct is complete and that the local agency has no plans to investigate the matter further. School is supposed to start August 23, but on Friday the school confirmed classes will be postponed one week and start August 30. Seattle Times staff reporter On the night of April 20, 2018, five players from Eastside Catholic's powerhouse high school football team rode through Bellevue in a pickup with a 16-year-old. "He was very intrigued and impressed with her level and quality of skills and wanted to speak more in depth with her and her family about the opportunity of a lifetime," the report said. Griles, as has been the case since NJ Advance Media broke the story two months ago, did not return multiple calls for comment. Probably. A big shakeup happened at. March 17, 2019 5 AM PT. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The officials at the post office insisted it was left in a safe place. Unfortunately, there are a pair of federal investigations underway related to the saga which first popped up on our radar screen almost two months ago. Griles had taken the role of legal guardian for most of those players, the schools subsequent investigation found. 1:07. He waved sheepishly when his name was called at a press conference for the Vaqueros de Bayamon. We are proud that the school holds such an important place in our community, and we look forward to working with everyone and continuing to serve our mission." The Jordans have declined multiple requests for interviews, but Aquino appears to be well clothed, well cared for and her social media accounts suggest she is adjusting to life as an American teenager. Head coaches and assistants in all sports had to take the exam, which also included questions about the city school districts policies and procedures, officials said. ", Andrea Aquino (far right) plays in a game with Paterson Eastside this season. We had hope," said Selwyn's older brother, Esteban, who joined him in Paterson at their father's insistence. F: contact@email.org Get Directions. We are disappointed that these students engaged in this inappropriate behavior. She appears to be living in the home owned by Shirley Jordan where the Nigerian players also stayed; NJ Advance Media observed Aquino leave the home and head to school the morning of March 21. Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. "I would just meet her at the gym and work out from there and take her to her game if need be. "I am the one who has missed out (on) a school.". A care package loaded with supplies from his mother, sent to the address in Somerset, never appeared, either. At 6-foot-7, people in her village thoughtshewas a freak --all arms and legs clinging to themotorcycle she and her mother sold clothes from to support themselves. WHAT TO KNOW: After winning Saturday's sectional semifinal at No. The big picture is this: We are working to restore our school's previous administrative structure. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. The police investigated the incident as an alleged gang rape. Donald Trump Teases Delay Of 2020 Election, Internet Goes Bonkers, SC Teen Honor Student Falsely Accused Of Attempted Murder In Mall Shooting, Lawsuit Says, SC Vocational Rehab Scandal: Report Issued, Clemson Universitys Office Of Planned Giving Is Living In An Alternative Reality Right Now, South Carolina Insurance Fraud Sting: 18 Charged, LIVE FEED Murdaugh Murders Trial: Day Twenty-Seven, South Carolina Freedom Caucus Files Lawsuit, Murdaugh Murders Trial: Attorney General Stands And Delivers. Specifically, the inquiry sought to determine whether the deputy in question failed to report his knowledge of alleged illegal activity including the dissemination of sexually explicit material to minors to his superiors. This sounds crazy, but if I have to fly all the way back to (New Jersey), I will.". More:Paterson picks new AD to replace one fired in Eastside hoops scandal, More:Lawyer says Paterson Eastside coach victim of fake news in hoops scandal, More:Paterson's Eastside loses appeal of ban from state basketball tourney. (Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com). 140 Highway 142, Covington, GA 30014. It is not immediately clear, although some light was recently shed on the case when Greenville, S.C. insurance marketing executiveRick Mathewsissued a statement related to his recent divorce fromJennifer Mathews who runs a yoga and pilates studio in Greenville. In addition, the changes were announced very close to the start of the school year, which caused a lot of consternation. Documents obtained by NJ Advance Mediashow discourse within the district as scandal barreled out of control. He retired at the end of June. From news that sixoverseas players were living with the boys coach to the discovery of an international pipeline funneling athletes to Paterson since 2013 and the waves of fallout pounding the school and its officials, here's the reporting of Steve Politi and Matt Stanmyre: *The Fast Break: How final 2 players escaped Eastside. The kinds of people their own parents work for. The Office of the Attorney General is reaching out to staffers at Eastside. when she graduated from high school. Ortiz found himself leaving practice many nights in tears, wondering why this coach brought him to New Jersey if he didn't let him step onto the court. But even after winning the MVP at a holiday tournament, Griles ignored him. (Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com). Eastside Catholic later issued the following statement: "Thank you for your interest in our school. After a series of winning seasons and strong showings in the state tournaments, Eastsides girls and boys teams finished with losing records this year. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The injured boy is 16 years old. All rights reserved (About Us). Griles, the Rodriguezes said, was angry Selwyn left practice early to receive an academic award. She wants to major in psychology and build a career helping students who feel as stressed as she does now. Ayala promised to be the point of contact and to "make sure Andrea has everything that she needs," the report said. The fight happened Thursday night between Camden High School and Camden Eastside High School. Superintendent Katrina McCombs released the following statement on Friday afternoon: In the Camden City School District, we pride ourselves on sculpting scholar-athletes and students that understand the importance of character and integrity. But the player stayed several months, and it was Lyde -- the Eastside girls coach -- who provided money for school uniforms and other living expenses, according to the employee, who asked not to be identified for fear of punishment from Paterson officials. "You gotta call her coach and whoever. In response to questions raised by our faculty and community, we held a Town Hall on Wednesday August 16. Rodriguez had done well in the classroom and earned a scholarship offer to play volleyball at Purdue University. "She was treated like a freak because she was so tall," said a New Jersey coach familiar with Aquino who declined to be identified due to the delicacy of the situation. COVINGTON, Ga. - Students at Eastside High School are under fire after a social media post went viral showing discriminatory and racial remarks and actions. But Aquino's living situation deteriorated soon after she was brought to Paterson, according to coaches and the school report. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); "Americas government since 1989 from top to bottom has been Thornblade Saga: Internal Affairs Investigation At Greenville County Sheriffs Office, Charleston Democrats Fret Over Former Republican Seeking Local Office On Their Ticket, Washington DC Protesters Target Lindsey Graham Over Supreme Court Vote, #SC2018: James Smith Touts Poll Showing His Viability, Bamberg SC Detention Center Officer Arrested Following Alleged Assault On Inmate, Mark Powells Palmetto Past & Present: Lost Confederate Gold, Ron Paul: The Anti-War Movement Roars Back To Life. "I can't say no to this,"Ortiz, now 20, remembers thinking. Eastside HS Athletic Department Contacts downloadable PDF . unanswered questions in the Paterson basketball scandal. But the club has declined to comment on the rest of the story . Spirit Week Application SIC Call for Nominations SIC Call for Nominations Was posted the day after the school. `` spot on his team and housing! Thank you for your interest in our school 's previous administrative structure, you 're like a.. Left practice early to receive an academic award not be disciplined because she was brought Paterson... Evans had said Johnson was being forced to retire most of them teachers volleyball at University! Others at the school. `` rumored prostitution/ sex ring school released the following statement: `` we made announced... Father Heric will go back to being the school confirmed classes will be postponed one week and August. Named Luis, knew the name of the story on our site, we may receive compensation day. 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