Phish Bassist Gordon Accused Of Child Endangerment

[davepeck]

Exclusive: Phish On The Hook
Band\'s Bassist Gordon Accused Of Child Endangerment

POSTED: 10:22 p.m. EDT August 18, 2003
UPDATED: 7:38 a.m. EDT August 19, 2003

NEW YORK -- A Phish is on the hook for endangering the welfare of a minor after he allegedly tried to take pictures of a young girl inside a deserted boathouse.

But following private conversations between the band\'s manager and the child\'s parents, there\'s a question about whether the band\'s bassist, Mike Gordon, will avoid facing that charge.

Gordon, 38, was arrested after being found late at night in a secluded area with a 9-year-old girl. The girl\'s parents raised an alarm when she disappeared from a backstage area at Jones Beach Theater.  

New York State Park Police say Gordon showed a different side after a concert last week by The Dead. Investigators say Gordon -- who calls himself "Cactus" -- was an invited guest backstage at Jones Beach. He was not invited, they say, to take a 9-year-old girl to an isolated location behind the theater.

"The area is actually like a work area for state employees who operate boats out of that area," said Maj. Richard O\'Donnell, of the New York State Park Police. "It\'s a darkened area, not intended for public access."

O\'Donnell, who is the region\'s commanding officer, would not discuss what the bass player told officers when he was found with the child on a dock. But a police report obtained by NewsChannel 4 reveals "The defendant stated he wanted to take \'art photos\' of the victim."

Police confirm that Gordon has never been convicted of any crime. Law enforcement sources said that after the band member was arrested, he told officers, "I may have shown bad judgment, but I am not a pedophile."

The Law enforcement sources identify the girl\'s father as a leader of the Hell\'s Angels Motorcycle Club, whom they say had also been invited backstage to watch The Dead concert. Gordon was held for police by theater security "and the victim\'s father\'s associates -- which the police report decribes as other Hell\'s Angels members.

When responding to a request for an interview, Phish\'s manager e-mailed a joint statement from Gordon and the child\'s parents that reads: "It is now clear to all involved that this was an unfortunate misunderstanding, and we look forward to putting this matter behind us."

Later, in a conference call, the manager said Gordon\'s trying to "make amends" with the family. The girl\'s father added that "muckraking journalists should put the story to rest."

Both declined to discuss whether the musician is paying compensation.

When asked by NewsChannel 4 if there was any reasonable explanation for Gordon to have been with the girl at 1:00 AM in a secluded boat house, Maj. O\'Donnell of the State Park Police said "I have no explanation for it."

The commander says he "absolutely" stands by the police investigation and has referred the bass player\'s boathouse rendezvous case to the Nassau County district attorney for prosecution.

The DA\'s office says the evidence is being evaluated. Regardless of whether Gordon has to face a judge next month, law-enforcement sources say unofficial justice was already delivered. The Hell\'s Angels, who detained Gordon for police, were not, the sources say, gentle with sensitive areas of the rock star\'s body.

http://www.wnbc.com/entertainment/2414323/detail.html

[johhnyripstix]

worst news ever. its a sad day in gamehendge

[realisthis]

): Wow. All I have to say is wow.

[freddiewaht]

you think he wouldve learned from pete townsend..

[tiedyetoga]

This is blown out of proporation. I belive mike did nothing wrong. Read some of the posts from security guards on other boards.

[Overexjoesure]

EXACTLY Gray.. In fact I would go far to say that the newsstaion practiced irresponsible journalism, not to mention immature sans damage to Gordon\'s sensitive area.  I would love to email them with a complaint and write to whatever media affiliate I have to.  There were security guards only 50 feet away from them AND she was posing on his scooter.  The media made a mockery out of such a tiny incident.......  can anyone say assault and battery on behalf of the Hells Angels... Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?  GOD BLESS YOU GORDO, WE STILL LOVE YA!!!

[jefft]

I hope Mike still has that deep voice we all love after getting kicked in the nuts!

[Wolfman]

Man, Phish is on the way down in every way imaginable.  Who\'s next?

[jefft]

Mike Gordon
08.10.03 (Late Night Backstage Set)
Jones Beach, NY - Jones Beach Amphiteatre

ONE SET:
hello my baby, beauty of my dreams > My Sweet One, take me to the river, if i could > meatstick > moby dick, loving cup, communication breakdown > been caught stealin\' > big ball jam, makisupa policeman > walk away

E: If I only had a brain

[davepeck]

:point: jefft

[jefft]

I know this is a sensitive subject right now, but since both sides are quoted as saying it was a big misunderstanding I think we can make light of the subject.  If the moderators deem this innappropriate please delete this link, but it sure is funny.

great photoshops (make sure you scroll)
http://www.phishhook.com/board/topic.jsp?topicID=281212&boardID=1

[davepeck]

:lol: hilarious...

here\'s another version of the setlist:

Mike Gordon
08.10.03 (Unannounced Late Night Backstage Set)
Jones Beach, NY - Jones Beach Amphiteatre

ONE SET:
Hello My Baby, Good Morning Little School Girl* > Beauty of My Dreams >
My Sweet One, Take Me To the River**, If I Could > Meatstick > Moby
Dick, Loving Cup, Communication Breakdown > Been Caught Stealin\'+ > Big
ball Jam, Makisupa Policeman > Walk Away

E: Messin\' With the Kid# > If I Only Had a Brain

SHOW NOTES:
* - First Time Played
** - with special guests Michael Jackson and Pete Townshend
+ - Mike dressed as a Catholic Priest
# - Junior Wells cover, last played 10/04/99

 > - denotes true musical "segways" between songs

[davepeck]

Farmhouse

Boathouse (Words and Music by Mike Gordon)

Welcome this is a boathouse.
Let me unzip your fly... alas,
and this kind of picture aint bad.

We are so very sorry
there is little we can do but rub them.

She didn\'t beg oh, not enough,
she didn\'t stay when hells angels got tough.
I told a lie and she got her dad,
she wasn\'t there when things got bad.

I never ever saw the police lights,
I never got to unzip her fly,
I never ever saw a butt so tight.
In the boathouse things will be alright.
I never ever saw the police lights,
I never got to unzip her fly,
I never ever saw a butt so tight.
In the boathouse things will be alright.
alright, alright, alright, alright, alright.

Woke this morning to the stinging lash
every man likes 9 year old ass
each betrayal begins with trust
art pictures contain no lust


Repeat Chorus x2

Welcome this is a boathouse
Welcome this is a boathouse

[melanie]

Just my $.02 ...  taking off with someone else\'s little kid ANYWHERE regardless of intent=dead wrong.  Disappointing.
And since I haven\'t heard anyone blame the mother yet- what the hell, you\'re at THE DEAD, the show is OVER, take your baby home.  Worse things could have happened to her.

[Wolfman]

Pec, that is one of the funniest things I have ever read.  Did you come up with that?