Boys Choir of Harlem founders asked to resign following sexual misconduct cover-up allegations: lawsuit filed

Jet, Jan 26, 2004

A maelstrom of controversy of alleged sexual misconduct and its cover-up has encompassed the world renowned Boys Choir of Harlem, which could not only cost the choir's founders their jobs, but millions of dollars as well.

Richard Condon, special commissioner of investigation for city schools, wants Walter Turnbull, founder of the celebrated choir, and his brother Horace, the choir's executive vice president, to be replaced for failing to report allegations that a counselor was sexually abusing a student.

Both Walter and Horace Turnbull allegedly were told that employee Frank Jones was abusing a boy there, but they took no action, according to Condon. "It became apparent to us that the Turnbulls had been told on a number of occasions," Condon said. "The Turnbulls were required to immediately notify the Department of Education and my office and the police of any allegation of sexual abuse, and they didn't do that."

The boy's mother told authorities about the abuse. The employee, Frank Jones, was sentenced in December 2002 to two years in prison afar being convicted on 24 counts of sexual abuse and three counts of endangering the welfare of a minor.

"I am heartbroken, and I feel that it is unfair the way in which it was done," Walter Turnbull said. "After 35 years and 6,000 kids, there have not been other incidents, not one."

Meanwhile, the abuse victim filed a $20 million lawsuit in Manhattan's state Supreme Court against the city, the school, the Department of Education, his abuser and several Boys Choir officials. The student's mother also has filed a $5 million lawsuit against the city education department and school officials.