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May 14, 2012

Mr. Michael Ippolito, PrincipalBlanche Armwood Senior High School12000 US Highway 92Seffner, Florida 33584

Dear Mr. Ippolito:

Subject: FHSAA’s investigation of Armwood High’s Football Program

This communication addresses the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (herein referred to as FHSAA) findings as related to the current investigation of Armwood High School’s football program (herein referred to as AHS).

Attached is a copy of the investigative report received from FHSAA’s investigative consultant. Please review the following information in its entirety for appropriate response to the FHSAA Office.

The following information is organized as follows:I. Background Summary

II. Pertinent Bylaws and PoliciesIII. Summary of Potential Violations and Additional Requested Information

I. Background Summary

The FHSAA authorized an investigative consultant to review the eligibility status of players participating in AHS’ football program during the 2011-12 school year. This review also addressed potential improprieties committed by any representatives of the school’s athletic program as defined in FHSAA Bylaws and Policies.

II. Pertinent Statute(s), Bylaws, and Policies The FHSAA Bylaws and Policies relative to this investigation include Bylaw and Policy references for 2011-12 school year. The following lists, at a minimum, applicable statute(s), bylaws, and policies:

Florida Statutes §837.06 provides that whoever knowingly makes a false statement in writing with the intent to mislead a public servant in the performance of his official duty shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree. Additionally a person who knowingly makes a false declaration under penalties of perjury is guilty of the crime of perjury by false written declaration, a felony of the third degree.

2011-12 FHSAA Handbook

Mr. Ippolito, PrincipalArmwood HSFHSAA Findings, May 14, 2012 of 45

1.4.18 Representative of a School’s Athletic Interests – “Representative of a school’s athletic interests” refers to any independent person, business, organization or group that participates in, assists with and/or promotes that school’s interscholastic athletic program. This includes:(a) A student-athlete or other student participant in the athletic program, such as a team manager, student trainer, etc., at that school;(b) The parents, guardians or other family members of a student-athlete or other student participant in the athletic program at that school;(c) Relatives of a coach or other member of the athletic department staff at that school;(d) A volunteer worker in that school or that school’s athletic program;(e) An athletic booster organization of that school;(f) A member of an athletic booster organization of that school;(g) A person, business, organization or group that makes financial or in-kind contributions to the athletic department or to an athletic booster organization of that school; and(h) Any other person, business, organization or group that is otherwise involved in promoting the school’s interscholastic athletic program.

2.5 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL AND RESPONSIBILITYEach school must control its interscholastic athletic programs by FHSAA rules and regulations. The principal, who is responsible for the administration of all aspects of the school’s interscholastic athletic programs, is responsible for ensuring this control, which extends to and includes responsibility for and control over the actions of:(a) The administration and faculty;(b) The athletic department staff and student-athletes;(c) The student body, parents and other spectators at athletic events; and(d) Any other individual or group engaged in activities representing, supporting or promoting the athletic interests of the school.

3.5.1 Administrative Control (Duties and Authority of the Principal). A member school must control its interscholastic athletic programs in accordance with the regulations of the Association. Responsibility for this control rests with the principal, who is responsible for the administration of all aspects of the school’s interscholastic athletic programs.

3.5.2 Compliance with Rules. A member school must comply with all bylaws and other rules of the Association. The school must monitor its athletic programs to assure compliance with all bylaws and regulations, must identify and report to the FHSAA Office instances in which compliance has not been achieved, and must take appropriate corrective actions regarding such instances of noncompliance. Staff members, student-athletes and other individuals and groups representing, supporting or promoting the school’s athletic interests must comply with applicable bylaws and rules. The school is responsible for such compliance.

3.5.2.1 Eligibility of Student-Athletes. A member school must certify the eligibility of all student-athletes. The school must not permit a student-athlete to participate in interscholastic competition unless the student-athlete meets all eligibility requirements.

3.5.2.2 Cooperation with Association. A member school must fully cooperate in the investigation of any alleged violation of the bylaws or other rules of the Association. A school that refuses to permit the interview of any individual, to grant access to and inspection of pertinent records, to submit relevant information to the Association upon request, or otherwise interferes with or obstructs the investigation, will be in violation of this provision.

3.5.4 Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct. A member school must establish policies that promote sportsmanship and ethical conduct in its interscholastic athletic programs. These policies must require student-athletes, coaches and all other individuals associated with the school’s interscholastic athletic programs to adhere to such fundamental values as respect, fairness, civility, honesty and responsibility. The school must educate, on a continuing basis, all staff members, student-athletes, student body, and other individuals and groups representing, supporting or promoting the school’s athletic interests about these policies.

6.2.1 Eligibility Reports. The principal or designee must annually submit all eligibility reports electronically and sign all eligibility correspondence.

6.3.1 General Principle (Recruiting). Recruitment or attempted recruitment of students for athletic purposes is an act of unsportsmanlike conduct and is expressly forbidden.


6.3.2 Definition of Recruiting. Recruiting is the use of undue influence or special inducement by anyone associated with the school in an attempt to encourage a prospective student to attend or remain at that school for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics.

6.3.3 Liability for Recruitment. A member school is responsible for any violation of this bylaw and/or the recruiting policies committed by any person associated with the school, including the principal, assistant principals, athletic director, coaches, teachers, any other staff members or employees, students, parents, or any organizations having connection to the school, such as booster clubs. The member school is also responsible for a violation committed by any third party under the direction of the school or anyone associated with it.

9.1.2.2 Falsification of Information. A student who falsifies information to gain eligibility shall be declared ineligible to represent any member school for a period of one year from the date of discovery.

9.2.1 Student May Only Participate at School He/She First Attends Each School Year. A student must attend school, and may participate only in the interscholastic athletic programs sponsored by the school he/she first attends each school year, which is either: (s.1006.20(2)(a), Florida Statutes)(a) The school where the student first attends classes; or(b) The school where the student first participates in an athletic activities on or after the official start date of that sport season before he/she attends classes at any school.

9.3.2 Transfer Student Not Eligible Until the Following School Year. A student who transfers from one school to another will not be eligible at the new school until the beginning of the next school year, unless the student qualifies under one of the following five exceptions:

9.3.2.1 Exception – Full and Complete Move to New Residence. A student who moves to a new home address due to a full and complete move by the student and the persons with whom he/she has been living for at least one calendar year that makes it necessary for the student to attend a different school and meets all other eligibility requirements as provided in Article 9 will be eligible subject to Bylaw 9.3.3. A student and his/her parents cannot occupy a residence at more than one address, and only the student’s current residence may be used for eligibility purposes.

9.3.2.1.1 Full and Complete Move Defined. The following items are evidence a move is full and complete:(a) The former residence is not occupied for any purpose at any time by the student or any of the persons with whom the student has been living; and(b) All personal belongings are moved from the former residence; and(c) Mail is received at the new residence; and(d) All utilities are transferred to the new residence; and (e) Driver’s license, voter registration and other forms of legal identification are changed to the new residence.

9.3.3.2 Transfer Student’s Former School Must Verify Eligibility Status Upon Request. The member school formerly attended by a transfer student must verify the student’s eligibility status if requested to do so by the student’s new school.

9.3.3.3 Transfer Student Not Eligible for One Full Semester if Transcript Cannot be Obtained. A transfer student whose former school cannot or will not provide an official sealed transcript will not be eligible in the new school until he/she has been in attendance for one full semester and has established a cumulative GPA. The school must submit a written report to the FHSAA Office that includes the student’s name, date of first attendance in the school, and the beginning and ending dates of the previous semester.

10.2.1 General Principle (Forfeiture of Contest). If an ineligible student is inadvertently or intentionally permitted to participate in an interscholastic athletic contest, forfeiture of the game and honors shall be automatic and mandatory.

10.3.1 Protesting Actions of Another School. Any member school filing a protest over the eligibility of a student or the actions of a member school shall submit to the Executive Director in writing a full statement of the facts signed by the principal. The Executive Director shall provide the accused party or parties with a copy of the accusation and determine if the allegations warrant an investigation.

10.5.3 Complete and Accurate Submissions. The person or entity making the appeal must ensure that the information submitted to support such appeal or request is complete and accurate. In the event a decision by the Sectional Appeals Committee or the Board of Directors was made based on incomplete or inaccurate information, the decision shall be withdrawn and the sanctions provided by these bylaws shall apply.

POLICY 18 PRACTICES AND SCRIMMAGES 18.1 General Practices


18.1.1 Only those student-athletes who are attending a member school, or who are either home education program or charter school program students registered with a member school, may participate in the practice of an athletic team which represents that member school.

18.1.4 Violation of this policy could result in a monetary penalty of a minimum of $250 per occurrence.Policy 36 ATHLETIC RECRUITING36.2.2 Improper Contact. “Improper contact” is contact, either directly or indirectly, whether in person or through

written or electronic communication, by a school employee, athletic department staff member, representative of the school’s athletic interests or third parties, such as an independent person, business or organization, with a student or any member of the student’s family, in an effort to pressure, urge or entice the student to attend a different school for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics.

36.2.3 Impermissible Benefit. An “impermissible benefit” is any arrangement, assistance or benefit that is not offered or generally made available to all students and/or their families who apply to or attend a school, or that otherwise is prohibited by FHSAA rules. Receipt of a benefit by a student-athlete or his/her family is not a violation of FHSAA rules if it is demonstrated that the same benefit is generally available to the school’s students or family members and is not based in any way on athletic interest, potential or performance.

36.3.3 Contact Initiated by Prospective Student. When a school employee, athletic department staff member or representative of a school’s athletic interests is contacted by a student who does not attend that school and/or any other member of his/her family, about the school’s interscholastic athletic program or attending the school, the school employee, athletic department staff member or representative of the school’s athletic interests must immediately refer the student and/or his/her family member to the appropriate school personnel who have the responsibility of registering and admitting prospective students.

36.4 IMPERMISSIBLE BENEFIT36.4.1 General Regulation. No school employee, athletic department staff member, representative of the school’s

athletic interests or third parties, such as an independent person, business or organization, may be involved, directly or indirectly, in promising, offering or giving an impermissible benefit to any student or any member of his/her family for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics, or to any student-athlete who already attends a school.

36.4.2 Specific Prohibitions. Specifically prohibited arrangements, assistance or benefits include, but are not limited to, the following:

36.4.2.2 Cash or like items, such as credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, gift certificates, coupons or vouchers.36.4.2.3 Gift of clothing, equipment, merchandise or other tangible items.36.4.2.4 Loans or assistance in securing a loan of any kind.36.4.2.5 Payment for any work or service that is not performed or that is in excess of the amount normally paid for

such work or service.36.4.2.6 Free or reduced-cost transportation.36.4.2.7 Living on a full- or part-time basis, regardless of whether rent is paid, with any school employee, athletic

department staff member, representative of the school’s athletic interests or other individual(s) who are not the student’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) duly appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction.

36.4.2.8 Free or reduced-cost rent for housing, vehicles or other items.36.4.2.9 Full or partial payment of moving expenses or assistance of any kind with an actual physical move.36.4.2.10 Employment or assistance in securing employment or contractual arrangement of any kind for which

compensation may be paid.36.4.2.11 Promise of a position on an interscholastic athletic team or playing time as a member of the team.36.4.2.12 Promise of guaranteeing a college athletic scholarship.36.4.2.13 Free or reduced costs to attend a sport or skills camp.36.4.2.14 Any other form of arrangement, assistance or benefit that is not generally available to other students in

the school or their families or that is based in any way on athletic ability.36.7 COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTS36.7.1 Certification of Compliance Form. Each member school each year must submit to the FHSAA Office,

utilizing the official Association process as approved by the Executive Director, certifying that the principal, the athletic director and the president of each athletic booster organization of the school have reviewed the “FHSAA Policy on Athletic Recruiting,” and that he/she will comply with all provisions of the policy, and will review the provisions of the policy with school employees, athletic department staff members and representatives of the school’s athletic interests. The head coach in each varsity sport offered by the school


shall, utilizing the official Association process as approved by the Executive Director, certify that he/she has reviewed the “FHSAA Policy on Athletic Recruiting,” will comply with all provisions of the policy and will review the provisions of the policy with his/her coaching staff and players electronically in a process facilitated by the FHSAA. Failure to comply will subject the school to minimum monetary penalty of $100.

III. Summary of Potential Violations

The following information is a list of potential violations according to all information received. Please respond to each potential violation in writing, separately, and indicate whether you:

Agree a violation occurred. For violations which AHS agrees occurred, please report any corrective actions taken to ensure a violation of this nature does not re-occur.

Disagree and consider a violation did not occur (supporting documentation must be presented). Agree some form of violation occurred but not as described in herein (supporting documentation

must be presented).

Keionne Baines (student)

1. Student participated during the 2010-11 school year while ineligible (reference Bylaw 9.1.2.2).2. Student falsified information to gain athletic eligibility (reference Bylaw 9.1.2.2). This falsified

information includes but is not limited to: forging signatures on official documents (F.S. 837.06), and providing inaccurate information regarding rental payments.

3. Student participated during the 2011-12 school year while ineligible (reference Bylaws 9.1.2.2 and 10.5.3.)

4. Student received impermissible benefit through living arrangement (reference Policy 36.4.2.7)

Please provide a list of all contests in which the student participated and represented AHS during the 2011-12 school year.

Craig Carrington (student)

5. Student participated during the 2010-11 school year while ineligible (reference Bylaw 9.1.2.2).6. Student falsified information to gain athletic eligibility (reference Bylaws 9.1.2.2 and 9.3.2.1.1).7. Student participated during the 2011-12 school year while ineligible (reference Bylaw 9.1.2.2).8. Student received impermissible benefit through living arrangement (reference Policy 36.4.2.7).


John Lightsey (student)

9. Student participated during the 2010-11 school year while ineligible (reference Bylaw 9.1.2.2 and 9.3.3)

10. Student participated during the 2011-12 school year while ineligible (reference Bylaw 9.1.2.2). 11. Student falsified information to gain athletic eligibility (reference Bylaw 9.1.2.2). This includes

information provided in response to FHSAA’s investigative consultant.

Please provide a list of all contests in which the student participated and represented AHS during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 school years.


Gregory Newton (student)

12. Student participated during the 2010-11 school year while ineligible (reference Bylaw 9.1.2.2).13. Student falsified information to gain athletic eligibility (reference Bylaw 9.1.2.2).14. Student participated during the 2011-12 school year while ineligible (reference Bylaw 9.1.2.2).

Please provide a list of all contests in which the student participated and represented AHS during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 school years.

Javonte Sneed (student)

15. Student participated during the 2011 spring contest while ineligible (reference bylaw 9.3.2.1.1).16. Student presented inaccurate, fraudulent information to Section 3 Appeals Committee to gain

athletic eligibility (reference Bylaw 10.5.3)17. Student falsified information to gain athletic eligibility (reference Bylaw 9.1.2.2.)


AHS Staff

18. AHS head coaching staff failed to review the FHSAA Recruiting Policy with its staff.

Representative of School’s Athletic Interests (Bylaw 1.4.18)

19. Two representatives of AHS athletic interests participated in falsifying information to assist a student in attending Armwood High School.

Please provide a list of all students who have transferred into AHS since January 1, 2012. For each student list the following:

Student’s current grade level; The school the student previously attended; The sport(s) in which the student participated at the previous school; and The address (residence) which each student provided in order to attend Armwood.

NOTE: In reviewing the aforementioned, potential violations, this office is concerned with regard to AHS’ enrollment procedures for transfer students. Please include in your response any corrective actions invoked by AHS to ensure situations such as these do not re-occur.

Please submit your response(s) so that it is received within ten (10) business days of delivery of this communication. In the event AHS needs additional time to compile its response, please don’t hesitate to contact this office for an extension.

If you have any questions regarding this communication, please feel free to contact me at extension 240.

Sincerely,


M. Denarvise Thornton, Jr.Associate Executive Director

Cc: Roger Dearing, Executive DirectorPeggy Jones, Associate Executive DirectorJustin Harrison, Assistant Executive DirectorMaryEllen Elia, Superintendent, Hillsborough County Public SchoolsLanness Robinson, Athletic Director, Hillsborough County Public Schools


ARMWOOD HIGH SCHOOL INVESTIGATIO

N

April 28

2012Per order of Dr. Roger Dearing, Executive Director of the Florida High School Athletic Association and Denarvise Thornton, Associate Director. Attached is a report of findings for the inquiry into Armwood High School. Troy J Pumphrey , Investigative Consultant


On or about November 15, 2011 the undersigned investigator was asked to visit Armwood High School as a result of an ABC News Investigative Report.

The concern is whether student athlete John Lightsey transferred to Armwood High School in part due to athletic reasons, and whether Hillsborough County Administrator(s) displayed a lack of administrative control, per FHSAA rules.

As a result of the initial inquiry into student Lightsey, the investigator found it necessary to conduct an athletic audit of the entire Armwood varsity football program.

The following persons were interviewed:

a. Verne Gavitt, Parent of student athlete – Sean Gavittb. Calvin McElroy, Choice Office employee – Hillsborough County Public Schoolsc. Sharon Morris, Aunt of student athlete- Sean Gavittd. Mike Ippolito, Principal – Armwood High Schoole. Don Hill, Athletic Director – Armwood High Schoolf. Ms. Hamar, Guidance Counselor – Armwood High Schoolg. John Lightsey, parent of student/athlete John Lightsey III – Armwood High Schoolh. Shelly Lightsey, parent of student/athlete John Lightsey III- Armwood High Schooli. Carolyn Newton, parent of student/athlete Gregory Newton Jr. – Armwood High Schoolj. Gloria Newton, grandparent of student/athlete Gregory Newton Jr. – Armwood High Schoolk. Gregory Newton, father of student/athlete Gregory Newton Jr. – Armwood High Schooll. Kenneth Baines, father of student/athlete Keionne Baines –Armwood High Schoolm. Evon Washington, cousin of student/athlete Keionne Baines- Armwood High Schooln. Bill Ward, Sports Writer -Tampa Tribuneo. Michelle Utrera, Property Manager – The Sanctuary at Highland Oaksp. David Wojciechowicz, employee – Tampa Electric Companyq. Eric Collins, stepfather of student/athlete Javonte Sneed – Armwood High Schoolr. M. Collins, previous lessor of Bloomfield Hills Drive s. James Peace, Regional Geologist – PSI Engineeringt. Sean Callahan, Head Football Coach – Armwood High Schoolu. Isaac Anderson, Assistant Football Coach – Armwood High Schoolv. Jan Womac, Registrar – Armwood High Schoolw. Frank Laruso, Head Football Coach, Eastbay High Schoolx. Johnny Huneycott, Senior Investigator – Tampa Electric Companyy. Joey Knight, Sports Writer – Tampa Bay Timesz. Robert Weiner, Head Football Coach – Plant High Schoolaa. Bob Henriques, Head Football Coach – Tampa Catholic High School


The undersigned investigator finds sufficient information to question whether Armwood High School violated FHSAA regulations. The regulations in question include; FHSAA Bylaw 2.5, 9.1.2.2, 9.3.2.1.1, 9.3.2.2, 10.5.4, Policy 36.2.2, 36.2.3, 36.3.3, 36.4.1 and 36.4.2.14 to name a few. Below are the results of the investigation to date:


Summary of facts: Javonte Sneed, student/athlete

1. Armwood administration receives fraudulent documentation from Eric Collins and submits this information to the FHSAA Section 3 board in an attempt to make student Sneed eligible to participate in athletics. The following documents are provided to support such claim(s).a. Exhibit S1 – Letter prepared by Eric Collins dated 8/12/2010 forwarded to FHSAA on

8/31/2010 by Armwood administration.b. Exhibit S2 – EL 11, Request for Sectional Appeals Committee Hearing signed by

Principal M. Ippolito on 8/20/2010, forwarded to FHSAA on 8/31/2010 by Armwood administration.

c. Exhibit S3 –A two page letter prepared by Principal M. Ippolito submitted to FHSAA on 8/31/2010.

d. Exhibit S4, S5, S6 – School District of Hillsborough County Demographic –Name and address display screen data forms.

e. Exhibit S7 - Rental agreement as submitted to Armwood High School by Eric Collins, step father of Javonte Sneed.

f. Exhibit S8- Verification of Electrical Service document prepared on Tampa Electric (TECO) letterhead, submitted to FHSAA by Armwood administration on 8/31/2010.

g. Exhibit S9 – Computer printout from TECO investigator showing dates of service and customer names for the period of 2/17/06 – 2/14/2011.

h. Exhibit S10 – Armwood High School Summer Student Registration Information List.i. Exhibit S11 – psi engineering report.j. Exhibit S12 – Engineering Neutral Evaluators Report.


Supporting Facts:

Interview: Eric Collins, stepfather of student/athlete Javonte Sneed

Q: Mr. Collins where do you live?A: We live in Plant City now.

Q: Where were you living when you enrolled Javonte at Armwood?A: We stayed on Bloomfield Hills Drive.

Q: Did you sell your home?A: No, we had to move out for a while because of a sinkhole problem.

Q: How long did you live at Bloomfield Hills Drive?A: We left February of 2011.

Q: Where did you go after February?A: My wife and I went back to Plant City.

Q: Did Javonte move back to Plant City with you?A: No; he moved in between his uncle, father and classmates.

Q: So he moved from the Bloomfield Hills address at the same time you moved?A: Yes sir.

Q: What address does Armwood have on file for Javonte this academic school year?A: We used the Bloomfield Hills address.

Q: Why?A: We knew the issues getting him here originally, so I just kept using the Bloomfield address.

Q: Did you own the Bloomfield Hills home?A: One of my partners was living there, so we stayed with them.

Q: Did you pay rent?A: I was giving him $800.00 per month.


Q: What month did you move into the Bloomfield Hills address?A: July I think.

Q: What is the name of the friend you moved in with?A: Duran Bell.

Q: And tell me how you know Duran Bell?A: We are friends.

Q: Do you know if Duran Bell owned or rented the home on Bloomfield Hills Drive?A: Rented.

Q: Did you pay the utilities while living at Bloomfield Hills?A: He paid the majority of the bills. I gave him money and he did what he wanted with it.

Q: Do you have cancelled checks or receipts to prove you were paying rent there?A: No, I paid in cash.

Q: Do you have copies of any bills showing that you actually lived at Bloomfield Hills?A: I think my name was on the Teco bill.

Q: How long were you on the Teco bill?A: Until I left.

Q: Were you the only person on the bill?A: No, It was in my name and his name I think.

Q: I thought you stated the bill was in your name?A: No, it was never in my name.

Q: Do you have other kids besides Javonte?A: Yes Sir.

Q: How many?A: Two kids, Erin twelve; Eric thirteen.

Q: Where do Erin and Eric live?A: Both live with me.Q: Where do you work?A: I’m a bus driver for Hillsborough County. I drive the Armwood route.


Q: How long have you driven the Armwood route?A: Four years.

Q: Did both Erin and Eric live with you and your wife during the time you stayed at Bloomfield Hills Drive?A: Yea.

Q: So you, mom, Javonte, Eric and Erin all moved from 3307 Azalea to Bloomfield Hills Drive?A: yea.

Interview:David Wojciechowicz, Tampa Electric Company (TECO) employee

Q: Mr. Wojciechowicz do you know someone by the name of Duran Bell?A: Yes, we work together; what is this about?

Q: I’m an investigator for the Florida High School Athletic Association conducting athletic audits at Armwood High School. I came across a document I need to ask you about. Do you work in customer service?A: No I don’t.

Q: I have a verification of electric service document that was submitted to the school. The TECO representative on the form is you. Do you remember completing a verification of electric service form for someone by the name of Eric Collins?A: No.

Q: I’m trying to figure out where this document originated. Can you help me out with this?A: I remember Duran Bell asking if I would do him a favor and prepare the form for him.

Q: The problem is that you prepared a verification of electric service for someone who doesn’t have an account with TECO; did you know that?A: I don’t remember now, but listen I was just doing a favor for a friend that’s all. I don’t know if I should be talking to you; let me talk with my boss and call you back.


Interview:Mr. Johnny Huneycott, Senior Investigator, Tampa Electric Company (TECO)

The investigator receives a call from Mr. Huneycott regarding the previous conversation with employee Wojciechowicz. During said conversation Mr. Huneycott verifies that Eric Collins has never held an account at 10233 Bloomfield Hills Drive, Seffner Fl. Huneycott further states that Duran Bell held an account at said address from 4/27/2010 until 2/14/2011. Huneycott offered no explanation as to how or why employee Wojciechowicz falsified the verification document. Huneycott does verify the document as fraudulent. (See exhibits S-8, S-9)

Investigator notes:1 Javonte Sneed is enrolled at Armwood using the address 10233 Bloomfield Hills Drive in

Seffner Florida while his Younger siblings remain at the address of 3307 Azalea Blossom Drive. The Azalea Blossom address is in the Turkey Creek Middle School and Durant High school district as per Hillsborough County student records (See exhibits S4, S5, S6) The sibling(s) attended Turkey Creek during the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 school year(s). It should also be noted that during the interview with the stepfather, he states clearly that the entire family moved from Azalea Blossom into Bloomfield Hills Drive which is located in the Armwood school district. The emergency cards on file for student Sneed shows his address at Bloomfield Hills Drive while the emergency cards on file for the younger siblings show an address at Azalea Blossom, Durant’s school district. All other contact information remained the same.

2 In the interview with Mr. Collins, he states that the entire family relocated to the Bloomfield Hills address. The entire family consists of the step father, mother and three kids. When looking at the rental agreement, section two of the agreement states,’ 10233 Bloomfield Hills Drive Seffner, Fl 33584 (3 rd bedroom adjacent to the master bedroom). Based on the rental agreement, it can be assumed that the family of five rented a bedroom space for the sum of $600.00 per month as is stated on the attached rental agreement (see exhibit S7). Furthermore, during the interview with Mr. Collins, the question was asked whether rent was being paid. Mr. Collins responded, ‘I was giving him $800.00 per month’.

3 In a letter dated August 12, 2010 addressed to the FHSAA, Mr. Collins states, ‘My home is currently involved in sinkhole activity which has resulted in me and my son relocating to a different primary residence…..’ This statement further contradicts Mr. Collins answers when questioned by the investigator. In the letter referenced above, Mr. Collins writes very clearly that only he and student Sneed moved from the permanent address (see exhibit S1).


4 The investigator discovers a letter dated August 20, 2010 written by Principal M. Ippolito. The letter is addressed to the FHSAA and is submitted along with other documents to the FHSAA Section 3 appeals board. In the letter, it is discovered that student Sneed while still attending Durant High School was practicing with the Armwood football team and coaches. The Armwood administration interviewed coach Callahan who admitted being aware that student Sneed was not residing in the attendance boundary of Armwood High School. The letter states, ‘When coach Callahan was asked why he allowed Javonte to participate in Armwood’s practices he said, “Javonte and his step father Eric Collins told him they would be moving into the attendance boundary of Armwood High School soon”.’ Student Sneed enrolled at Armwood High School ten days after being discovered participating in summer practices with the Armwood football team. (see exhibit S3)

Interview: James W. Pease, P.G., Regional Geologist

Q: Mr. Pease, I’m reading a report prepared and signed by you with regards to the Eric and Teronica Collins residence at 3307 Azalea Blossom Drive, Plant City Florida; do you remember the property?A: I do remember the property. We do quite a bit of work in that area. Why are you interested in my report?

Q: I’m conducting an audit at the high school where the Collins’ son attends. The family is stating they had to move to a different location because the Azalea Blossom house was not livable; is that true?A: First off let me say that I was called in to mediate between the owner of the property and the insurance company.

Q: I understand; without sharing the legal issues, can you tell me whether the property had to be vacated due to hazard or in order for work to be performed? I guess what I ‘m asking is whether the property was inhabitable?A: Absolutely not. The repairs would have been made without the owners having to relocate, and that was the bases for my report. The property definitely was not inhabitable.

Interview:Neighbor located at 3308 Azalea Blossom Drive


Q: Does the Collins family live across the street?A: Yea

Q: Can you tell me all who lives there?A: Mr. and Mrs. Collins and their two kids

Q: Do you know if they had a sinkhole problem?A: We’ve all had a sinkhole problem at one time or another

Q: Do you know if the Collins family moved out of the house for any length of time?A: No, they’ve been there the entire time

Q: Have you seen Javonte there?A: No, I haven’t seen him over there in a long while

Investigator notes: 1. Armwood submits to FHSAA an engineering report and other related documentation to

support Mr. Collins testimony before the Sectional Appeals Committee that the move into the Armwood school district came as a result of having to temporarily vacate his permanent residence of 3307 Azalea Blossom due to a sinkhole claim. (See exhibit S11, S12)

2. The TECO computer printout (exhibit S9) shows a Manson Collins as a previous account holder at the Bloomfield Hills property. There is no relationship between Eric Collins and Manson Collins.

Mrs. Collins, the mother of student Sneed has never responded to the investigators phone calls, nor was she present as specifically requested by this investigator for an interview at Armwood High School.


Summary of facts: Keionne Baines, student/athlete

1. Student Baines submits a fraudulent lease agreement to enroll at Armwood High School (see exhibit B1).

2. Father Kenneth Baines is listed as head of household on Armwood Enrollment Documents (see exhibits B2, B3).

3. Father owns and receives homestead exemptions on a home in the East Bay High School attendance zone (see exhibit B4).

4. Student Baines enrolls at Armwood High School on 1/24/2011 and starts class on 1/25/2011. On 2/7/2011 the FHSAA Pre-participation Physical Evaluation form (EL2) is signed by student Baines and his father. The EL2 prepared by Baines shows his home address as 11719 Summer Springs Drive. This address is the home owned by Mr. Kenneth Baines and is located in the East Bay attendance zone (see exhibit B4).

5. The signature on the EL2 Pre-participation Physical Evaluation form for Mr. Kenneth Baines appears to be forged based on comparisons of Mr. Baines signatures on other Armwood documents. (see exhibit B4) Compare this signature with exhibit B1, B3 and B6.

6. Mr. Kenneth Baines signature on the FHSAA form EL3, Consent and Release from Liability Certificate dated 7/1/2011 appears to be forged based on comparisons of Mr. Baines signatures on other Armwood documents (see exhibit B5). Compare with exhibits B1, B3 and B6.

7. Investigator conducts a home visit to 11719 Summer Springs Drive locate in the East Bay attendance zone where Father Kenneth Baines opens the door. Father Baines attempts to hide his identity by telling the investigator that he is not Kenneth Baines but merely


the boyfriend of Alicia Nelson. Alicia Nelson is co-owner of the East Bay home with Kenneth Baines.

8. The Investigator later requests that Principal M. Ippolito arrange a meeting with Mr. Baines at Armwood High School. Mr. Baines shows up for the meeting having removed his thick mustache and beard previously observed by the investigator while at the East Bay area home. Mr. Baines comes to the Armwood meeting with no facial hair.

9. Mr. Baines attempts to pass fraudulently prepared rent payment receipts to the investigator.

10. Mr. Baines claims he is renting a house from Emon Washington for the sum of $1400.00 per month. The investigator discovers that Emon Washington is not the owner of said property but a lessee herself.

11. The investigator interviews Emon Washington and is told she is the cousin of Mr. Baines. She also shares that she has not received any money from Mr. Baines for rent.

12. The address on Mr. Baines drivers license is a home located in the Chamberlain attendance zone. The address on the driver’s license is 8515 N Seminole Ave Tampa.

13. Mr. Baines gives interviews to the Tampa Tribune and later to the Tampa Bay Times. Baines offers a different living scenario in each article (see exhibit B7, B8).

Supporting Facts:

Interview: Kenneth Baines, Father of student/athlete Keionne Baines

Q: How long have you rented at 130 Winston Manor Circle?A: Since January.

Q: How much do you pay in rent?A: I was paying $1000.00 but now I give her what I have; $800.00 in November, October $700.00, September $825.00, August $950.00.

Q: How many kids do you have?A: Eight.

Q: How many live with you?A: One.

Q: Who is Alicia Nelson?A: My Ex-fiance.


Q: Where does she live?A: Riverview.

Q: How long has she lived in Riverview?A: Since 2007; we purchased the house in 2007.

Q: The house is in whose name?A: Mine and Alicia.

Q: Do you stay over at the Riverview house?A: No, I go over there from time to time but not when she’s there.

Q: Does Keione go back to Riverview during the week or on weekends?A: No.

Q: Do you stay there overnight?A: Yes, once or twice a month.

Q: How many times in the last two weeks?A: Twice.

Q: What’s your relationship to Ms. Washington?A: She’s my cousin.

Q: How many people live at 130 Winston Manor?A: Six people and her son that graduated last year; he comes and goes.

Q: How many bedrooms and bathrooms are in the house?A: Three bedrooms, two bathrooms.

Interview:Emon Keller Washington, cousin of student/athlete Keionne Baines

Q: Where do you live?A: 130 Winston Manor Circle.

Q: How long have you lived there?A: Six years.

Q: Do you own or rent?


A: Rent.

Q: Who is the landlord?A: Theresa Piper.

Q: When did Keionne and his father move into your house?A: December.

Q: How much are they paying in rent?A: It fluctuates; I wrote down fourteen but it’s not fourteen.

Q: Is Theresa Piper the owner of the house?A: Yes she is.

Q: Do you have kids at Armwood?A: I do; one graduating and one that plays football as well.

Q: What is the name of the football player?A: Ronrico Davis.

Q: How long has Ronrico been at Armwood?A: Since the ninth grade.

Q: How long has he played football at Armwood?A: Since the ninth grade.

Q: How many people currently live in your home?A: four kids, me, my husband, my cousin and keionne.

Q: What’s your husband’s name?A: Irvin Washington.

Q: Is your husband a football coach?A: He is the head coach for the Brandon Lions.

Q: If Keione and his father are your cousins, why did you do a lease?A: Because he would need a lease for his baby to come from Brandon. Also so he would have a proof of residence so he can enroll his kid at Armwood.

Q: So you did the lease but you didn’t expect him to be paying $1400.00 per month?A: Not at all.


Q: How about the $1000.00 security deposit?A: I didn’t get that.

Q: So are you getting any rent from your cousin?A: No. You’re not going to keep Keionne out of the playoffs are you?

Q: No.A: Okay, I just don’t want to see him hurt by this.

Q: Let me ask you a question. The receipts Baines showed me, are they fake?A: Yes; please don’t make his baby sit out of the playoffs.

Interview:Bill Ward, staff writer for the Tampa Bay Tribune

On February 13, 2012 the investigator contacted staff writer Bill Ward of the Tampa Tribune. The call came as a result of an article titled “For prep athletes, attending right school can make the difference”. The article was published in the Tampa Tribune on February 11, 2012. The call to Bill Ward was due in part to a paragraph contained in said article:

“Ken Baines said following an argument with Keionne’s mother, Alicia Nelson, he and Keionne moved out of her Riverview apartment. Initially, they had no place to go and, for a few nights, slept in Ken’s truck. Eventually, Ken found an apartment he could afford near Armwood and Keionne was enrolled in the Seffner School”.

Q: Did you interview Ken Baines for this story?A: Yes, last week

Q: Is the information contained in the story factual based on what Ken Baines told you?A: Yes

The investigator finds inconsistencies between the interview with Tampa Tribune writer Ward and the investigators interview of Mr. Baines. In the interview with the investigator, Mr. Baines stated very clearly that he and son Keionne moved from the Riverview home where he and ex-fiance Alicia Nelson are co-owners (East Bay attendance zone). He then states he and Keonne moved out of the house and into Winston Manor Circle (Armwood attendance zone) the home of his cousin Emon Washington. There has been no reference to an apartment during the investigators interview. Secondly, Mr. Baines submits a lease and other related documentation to Armwood High School showing his residence at 130 Manor Circle, a house not an apartment. The investigator has confirmed that Mr. Baines and Alicia Nelson own a home located at 11719


Summer Springs Dr Riverview. Hillsborough County school records confirm student Keionne Baines at two addresses; Summer Springs in Riverview and Manor Circle in Tampa

Interview:Joey Knight, staff writer for the Tampa Bay Times

On April 14th the investigator contacted staff writer Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times. The call came as a result of an article titled “Crossing Ts or crossing the line”. The article was published in the Tampa Bay Times on April 15, 2012. The call to Joey Knight was due in part to a paragraph contained in said article:

“I did sense a bit of arrogance,” said Ken Baines, dad of linebacker Keionne Baines, who moved with his son into a relative’s home in Armwood’s district two winters ago after Ken says he was legally forced out of their Riverview residence.

The investigator notes that both articles state different accounts of the sequences to how student Keionne Baines moved into Armwood’s attendance zone, and where student Baines actually resides. Both articles provided quotes from Mr. Baines; both quotes were different.

Text Message to Joey Knight:Q: Did the Baines information come as a result of your interviewing him?A: Yes, I reached out to him cause I heard he might talk. He did.

Summary of facts: Craig Carrington, student/athlete

1. Student Carrington withdraws from Strawberry Crest High School on 1/21/2011 and enrolls at Armwood High School on the same day (exhibit C1)

2. Student Carrington, mother Terry Carrington Joseph and father Michael Joseph allegedly move from 3108 Apricot Street Seffner,Fl located in the Strawberry Crest high school attendance zone into 2237 Towering Oaks Circle located in the Armwood high school attendance zone

3. 3108 Apricot Street is owned by Terry L. Joseph. The homestead exemption is active at this address (exhibit C2)

4. Student Carrington enrolls at Armwood using the address of a current Armwood football player, Phillip Smith. The address is 2237 Towering Oaks Circle Seffner, Fl (exhibit C1)


5. At the time of registering at Armwood the family states ‘hardship’ as the reason for said transfer (exhibit C3)

6. Per the enrollment documents obtained from Armwood administration, the status code used to enroll student Carrington is ‘B’. The code is defined as such: “Loss of home do to economic hardship; economic hardship do to loss of job” (exhibit C4)

7. Per said enrollment documents, student Craig Carrington, father Michael Joseph and mother Terry Carrington-Joseph also reside at 2237 Towering Oaks Circle, the home owned and occupied by the parents of armwood football player Phillip Smith (exhibit C5)

8. As per Hillsborough County student records, student Carrington enrolls during the school year 10/11 with a hardship code. School year 11/12 student Carrington’s enrollment code changes to ‘1’ reflecting he now resides in the Armwood attendance zone; status code is removed and student Carrington his mother and father continue using the 2237 Towering Oaks Circle address located in the Armwood attendance zone (exhibit C6)

9. Student Carrington has a sister Nubia who attends Seffner Elementary School. Seffner Elementary School feeds into Strawberry Crest High School, the home school for the address 3108 Apricot Street, the home owned by Terry Carrington Joseph, the mother of Craig Carrington and Nubia Carrington Joseph

10. The address on file at Seffner Elementary School for the sister is 3108 Apricot Street. The address has remained the same for the school years 10/11 and 11/12. There are no hardship codes on file at Seffner Elementary School for Nubia, nor has the address for Nubia ever changed (exhibit C7,C8,C9,C10)

11. The emergency card for Nubia at Seffner Elementary School shows the home address of 3108 Apricot Street Seffner Fl, for school years 10/11 and 11/12

12. Student Carrington enrolls at Armwood using the electric bill in the name of Gelita and Gary Smith, parents of student/athlete Phillip Smith (exhibit C11)

13. The investigator conducts surveillance at address 2237 Towering Oaks Circle and finds no evidence that multiple families live there. On at least six different days and times, there has been no evidence of cars parked in or around said address owned by Mr. or Mrs. Joseph.

14. Surveillance of 3108 Apricot Street has revealed two vehicles, a light gray Ford Explorer, tag# V374GC and black Ford Focus, tag# X481LC. Both vehicles are registered to Mr. and or Mrs. Joseph. The investigator has noticed said vehicles in the driveway or parked on the front lawn on at least six separate days and times over a four month period

Supporting Facts

InterviewNeighbor living at 2235 Towering Oaks Circle, neighbor to student/athlete Phillip Smith


Q: Excuse me sir, do you know a family at 2237 by the last name of Carrington or Joseph?A: No, I’ve never heard of that family in this neighborhood.

Q: Do you know the Smith family?A: Yes.

Q: Do you know if there are multiple families living there?A: Not that I’ve noticed.

InterviewNeighbor living across the street from 3108 Apricot Street or the home of student/athlete Craig Carrington

Q: Do you know where the Josephs live?A: Do you have an address.

Q: Yes; 3108 ApricotA: Oh, I only know them by Terri and Mike.

Q: Does Terri and Mike still live there?A: Yes.

Q: Can you tell me whether there was a time within the last year or so that they moved out?A: Not that I’m aware of. I see them over there almost daily.

Summary of facts: Gregory Newton, student/athlete

1. Student transfers into Armwood High School on January 31, 2011 using a home address of 4509 Ashmore Drive Tampa Florida. The registration application states that student Gregory Newton resides with his mother and father while sharing housing by choice. (See exhibit N1, N2)


2. 4509 Ashmore Drive is the home of Gloria Newton the grandmother of student Gregory Newton.

3. Prior to enrolling at Armwood High School, student Newton was a student/athlete at Tampa Catholic High School. The address on file during student Newton’s tenure at Tampa Catholic was 4414 Bass Street Tampa Florida.

4. 4414 Bass Street was a home occupied by student Newton, mother Carolyn and father Greg Newton Sr. The home was vacated on or about May of 2011.

5. The driver’s license and vehicle registration card for father Gregory Newton Sr. shows a home address of 4414 Bass Street Tampa Fl. The address is located in the attendance zone for King High School. (See exhibit N3)

6. On or about May 27, 2011 Mrs. Carolyn Newton leases a home located at 4503 Tarpon Drive in Tampa. The Tarpon address is also located in the attendance zone for King High School. (See exhibit N4)

7. The investigator travels to 4509 Ashmore Drive to conduct a home visit. The purpose of the visit is to verify whether or not student Gregory Newton, father Gregory Newton Sr., and mother Carolyn Newton actually live at said address as per the enrollment documents on file at Armwood High School. The investigator finds no evidence that Mr. and Mrs. Newton nor student Gregory Newton reside at said address.

8. The investigator travels to 4509 Ashmore Drive on four separate occasions between the hours of 6am-7:30am in order to verify whether student Newton travels to school from said location. There were no such sightings.

9. The investigator interviews Mrs. Gloria Newton the owner of 4509 Ashmore Drive. During said interview Mrs. Gloria Newton states that student Gregory Newton, his mother Carolyn and his father Gregory Sr. lives there. When the investigator asks how many bedrooms are in the home, Mrs. Gloria Newton states two bedrooms. Mrs. Gloria Newton further states that student Gregory sleeps in the bedroom while the mom and dad trade- off between the sofa and sleeping in the room with student Gregory. There is only one bed in said bedroom.

10. The investigator enters the bedroom where student Gregory Newton is alleged to reside. On the floor in the bedroom is two pair of shoes. In the closet are three polo style shirts and an equal amount of pants. There is no teenage clothing, pictures, trophies, school spirit items, football clothing, football pads, high school text books or memorabilia visible in the bedroom or other areas of the home visible to the investigator during said visit.

11. The investigator interviews Mr. Newton who states that he and his son live at 4509 Ashmore Drive. When asked for an address for student Gregory’s mother, Mr. Newton refuses to give said address. It is only after the FHSAA rules student Gregory Newton ineligible that Mr. Newton discloses an address and makes Carolyn Newton available for an interview. During said interview Mrs. Carolyn Newton states she lives at 4503 Tarpon Street. She further states that student Gregory Newton stays with her at least three or four days per week. She states she doesn’t know where her husband lives, buts that he stays over at the 4503 Tarpon Street address on occasion.


Supporting Facts:

Interview: Carolyn Newton, Mother of student/athlete Gregory Newton

Q: What is your current home address?A: 4503 Tarpon Drive in Tampa.

Q: How long have you lived at that location?A: Since May 2011.

Q: Where did you live prior to moving into 4503 Tarpon Drive?A: 4414 Bass Street.

Q: How many bedrooms and bathrooms at the Tarpon Drive address?A: Three bedrooms, two bathrooms.

Q: Does Greg Jr. live with you?A: He stays with me maybe three or four days out of the week.

Q: Does he have a bedroom in your house?A: Yes.

Q: Can you describe his room?A: There is a full size bed, television and clothes in the closet.

Q: Is there anything else in the room?A: Trophies.

Q: Does Greg Sr. stay there?A: He has stayed overnight.

Q: How many times over the past two weeks?A: Maybe twice.

Q: When he’s not at your house, where does he live?A: I don’t know.

Q: Are you and Greg Sr. married or divorced?A: We’re divorced but we still continue seeing each other.


Interview: Gregory Newton, Sr., father of student/athlete Gregory Newton (Interview takes place at 4509 Ashmore Drive, the home of Gloria Newton, Grandmother to student Newton)

Q: Where do you live?A: Here with my mom.

Q: How long have you lived here?A: 42 years.

Q: When speaking with your mother, she tells me that Greg Jr., his mother and you all live here is that true?A: My wife comes by periodically.

Q: So she doesn’t live here?A: No.

Q: Where does your wife live?A: I can’t give you that information.

Q: Why?A: She told me not to.


Summary of facts: John Lightsey, student/athlete

1. Student Lightsey enrolls at Armwood High School on or about 3/28/2011 using the address of 10108 Douglas Oak Circle Tampa Florida. (See exhibit L1 – apartment lease)

2. The lease submitted to Armwood administration by Mrs. Lightsey shows the term of said lease to be 3/18/2011 – 12/17/2011. The lease also shows the occupants to be Mr. and Mrs. Lightsey and student John Lightsey. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lightsey signed the lease agreement on 3/18/2011.

3. On 3/1/2011 and prior to enrolling student Lightsey at Armwood, Mrs. Lightsey submits a letter to Armwood guidance counselor, Ms. Hamar. In said letter Mrs. Lightsey writes in part: ‘Right now I have an apartment leased for 10 months, which would take us through the 1st semester at Armwood. If he cannot graduate early we would have to rethink the whole process.’ (See exhibit L2, L3)

4. The Hillsborough County Pubic School Data Information Sheet (B screen) states the male head of household to be John Lightsey II; the female head of household is Shelly Lightsey. (Exhibit L4)

5. On Friday October 28, 2011 Mr. Lightsey is approached by a reporter who questions him in part about whether he made a full and complete move into the Armwood school district.

6. On 11/7/2011, a meeting is held at Armwood High School. Present at the meeting is county Athletic Director, Lanness Robinson; Armwood Athletic Director, Don Hill; Principal M. Ippolito and Mr. Lightsey.

7. On 11/9/2011 Mr. and Mrs. Lightsey execute a formal Separation Agreement. The Agreement is forwarded to the Armwood administration. (See exhibit L6)

8. On 7/5/2011 a 2012 ford mustang is registered to John Thomas Lightsey, Jr., at the address of 9750 Bohart Court Orlando Florida 32836. On 9/22/2011 student Lightsey registers same vehicle at Armwood High School for purposes of being able to park said vehicle on campus.

9. On 11/16/2011 just one day prior to an interview with the investigator, the drivers license for student Lightsey is amended changing the current address from Bohart Court Orlando to Douglas Oaks Circle Tampa. (See exhibit L7, L8)

10. The official Transcript from Dr. Phillips High School is not executed by the Dr. Phillips Registrar until September 15, 2011. Armwood High School did not have the official transcript until sometime after the September 15 date. (See exhibit L5)

11. Student Lightsey participates in the Spring Jamboree and at the University of Central Florida team camp as an Armwood Football Player. The spring football game took place on or about May 27, 2011 and the team camp on or about June 29, 2011. The official transcripts from Dr. Phillips High School are not received at Armwood until sometime on or after September 15, 2011.


12. Mrs. Lightsey responds to an email sent to her by Largo High School teacher Scott Kaplan. In her response Mrs. Lightsey attempts to explain her ‘unique living arrangement’. She states in part: ‘Simi and her father (we are married) live here at our house in Indian Rocks Beach. My son and I live in Tampa, where my son plays football for Armwood High School.’(see exhibit L9)

13. In an article written on June 29, 2011 by Orlando Sentinel writer, Chris Hays student Lightsey is quoted as such: “We moved for a mix of reasons and mostly a lot of different family reasons, a lot more than football reasons,” he said. “My mom is from [Seffner] area and my family really wasn’t that happy in Orlando. They’re more like Tampa people than Orlando people.” (See exhibit L10)

14. Mr. Verne Gavitt the father of Armwood student Sean Gavitt forwards a public forum conversation between him and Mrs. Lightsey. In the conversation Mr. Gavitt questions statements previously written by Mrs. Lightsey. Following is the communication in part written by Mr. Gavitt: ‘SHELLY DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THE SHIT YOUR WRITING??? YOUR SON SHOT HIS MOUTH OFF SAYING IN A FREAKIN INTERVIEW THAT HE CAME TO ARMWOOD TO WIN A RING! I SAT IN FRONT OF YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND AT PARENT NITE AND HEARD YOU SAY “WHERES THIS HIGH POWER OFFENSE WEVE HEARD ABOUT,WAS THIS YOUR FIRST ARMWOOD GAME?! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY KIDS THAT HAVE PLAYED ALL FOUR YRS THAT ACTUALLY LIVE IN THE ARMWOOD DISTRIC THAT R NOW GOING TO HAVE THEIR SR. YEAR TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM? YOU DID NOTHING WRONG???? BULL SHIT!!!! WHY WLD YOU TAKE YOUR KID FROM A PRVT SCHOOL, WHO HAS A GREAT TEAM AND PUT HIM IN A “D” RATED SCHOOL? NO JACK DIDN’T DO ANYTHING WRONG HES A GOOD YOUNG MAN, YOU THE PARENTS ARE THE WAS THAT HAVE DONE WRONG! AND BECAUSE OF YOUR SELFISH ACTIONS JACK AND THE REST OF THE YOUNG MEN THAT HAVE WORKED THEIR ASS’S OFF MAY HAVE THEIR SEASON TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM! NOT TO MENTION THE SHIT YOU’VE GOT COACH CAL IN…COACH CAL TOOK YOU FOR YOUR WORD THAT YOU MOVED HERE NOW HE MAY HAVE SOME PROBLEMS HE DOESN’T NEED! KEEP TELLING YOURSELF MS LIGHTSEY THAT YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND DID NOTHING WRONG AND IM SURE THIS WIL ALL JUST GO AWAY!’ Yesterday Shelly Mirabella Lightsey I have two words for you Mr. Gavitt: FUCK OFF!!!!!!!! (See exhibit L11)

15. Facebook page for Shelly Mirabella Lightsey forwarded by an unknown person: ‘Rays + Bucs = Fun Night watching sports with my boys! Had tickets to go to Rays, but wanted to watch the Bucs too. (See exhibit L12)

16. Facebook page for Mrs. Lightsey: ‘so glad you are moving back to O’Town! (See exhibit L13)17. Interview with Mr. Lightsey where it is discovered that the Lightsey’s talked with coach

Callahan prior to enrolling at Armwood High School. Mr. and Mrs. Lightsey along with student Lightsey visits the Armwood campus and meets with Coach Callahan for approximately 30 minutes or so in Callahan’s office which is located at the back of the Armwood campus and inside the football fieldhouse.

18. Interview with Mrs. Lightsey where she states talking with Coach Callahan by phone as a result of not getting a return phone call from Armwood Athletic Director, Don Hill. Said conversation(s) occurred prior to student Lightsey’s enrollment at Armwood.


Supporting Facts:

Interview: M. Ippolito, Principal at Armwood High School

Q: When did you first come to be aware of this situation?A: It came to my attention on the weekend we played Plant, Friday October 28 th after a reporter questioned Mr. Lightsey in the parking lot.

Q: Did you speak with the parent following that event?A: Yes, there was a meeting here with Mr. Lightsey, Lanness, Don and myself.

Q: Who called the meeting?A: Lanness.

Q: What was the date of the meeting?A: November 7th.

Q: What did Mr. Lightsey tell you at this meeting?A: He expressed that he and his wife were separated and that his wife is from this area so they moved here.

Q: Who moved here?A: The son moved here.

Q: What about the parents?A: The parents would take turns between the apartment here and the daughter in Orlando. During the summer the family moved completely from Orlando and is living between the apartment and a home in Pinellas County.

Interview: John Lightsey, Jr., student/athlete at Armwood High School

Q: How did you get to Seffner?A: Mom and father separated; mom is from Tampa.

Q: So you and mom moved into Douglas Oaks Circle?A: Yes.

Q: Where does your father live?


A: He stayed in Orlando until my sister finished the eighth grade. Then my dad moved to Largo to be closer to me so we could see each other on weekends.

Q: When did your father and sister move to Largo?A: Over the summer.Q: What’s the status of the Orlando house?A: No one lives there.

Q: Where does your father work?A: He works in realestate.

Q: Where is his office?A: He works from home.

Q: In Largo?A: Yes.

Q: Does your mom work?A: No.

Q: Is mom at the apartment during the day?A: Yes.

Q: Do you own the house in Largo?A: Yes.

Q: How long has your family owned the home?A: Since I was in 5th or 6th grade.

Investigator note:On November 29, 2011 the investigator traveled to the Lightsey home on Bohart Court in Orlando Florida. The home was visited on at least three occasions. While at said location the investigator observed furniture in the family room, dining room, and front foyer. All utilities appear to be turned on as well as mail being delivered to said address. Waterfalls cascading into the pool are noticed as well.

Interview: The neighbor who lives at 9767 Bohart Court. (2 doors from Lightsey home)

Q: Do you know the neighbors at 9750; the yellow house?A: Yes, did they do something wrong?


Q: No, I work for the Florida High School Athletic Association and I’m conducting a home visit to verify whether the family lives here. Are they still here or did they move?A: No, I still see them there.

Q: When was the last time you saw the husband or wife over there?A: I see them all the time.

Q: Who do you see all the time?A: Both the mother and father. I don’t see the kids there anymore.

Interview:Neighbor who lives at 9759 Bohart Court

Q: Do you know the Lightsey family?A: Yes.

Q: Do you go to school with the family kids?A: No, they’re younger. I’m in college.

Q: Have you seen any of them here recently?A: Yes they still live there.

Q: What time of day do you see them usually?A: Random times; I don’t see the kids there anymore though.

Interview: Mrs. Shelly Lightsey, mother of student/athlete John Lightsey

Q: Prior to moving to Tampa did you make contact with anyone at Armwood High School?A: Yes.

Q: Who did you speak to at Armwood?A: Coach Callahan.

Q: And what was the context of your conversation with coach Callahan?A: He said he really couldn’t talk to me; that I needed to contact the school.

Q: And why would you first contact Coach Callahan as opposed to contacting the registrars’ office at the school?A: I did, I tried calling the athletic director and I never got a response.


Q: After attempting to contact the athletic director, you determined that you would next attempt to contact coach Callahan?A: yes.

Q: Had you known coach Callahan prior to contacting him?A: No

Q: Again, once you got coach Callahan on the phone what did he say?A: He said he would not be able to talk with me; that I needed to talk to the guidance office or the school administration.

Q: Were there other conversations you had with coach Callahan prior to enrolling your son into Armwood?A: No.

Interview: Mr. John Lightsey, father of student/athlete John Lightsey III

Q: Why did your son move to Tampa?A: My wife and I decided to separate.

Q: Did you and your wife discuss her moving plans? Where she wanted to live and why?A: At that point and time, very limited conversation.

Q: At what point and time did you know your wife was moving to Tampa?A: The exact date and time I don’t remember; it was in March of 2011.

Q: Earlier you said, well you couldn’t answer the question with regards to, at what point you knew your wife was moving to Tampa; is that right.A: As I stated earlier it was a complex issue.

Q: Without getting into your personal marital business, can you tell me at what point you knew your wife would be moving to Tampa. Do you remember a conversation with your wife about where she would be going with your son John?A: There were several

Q: And at some point you knew she was moving to Tampa?A: After she packed up and left, yea.


Q: Did you know at the point she packed up and left, where in Tampa she was moving to?A: Yes.

Q: How’d you know that?A: She told me.

Q: I’m merely asking, when you knew she was leaving, you said when she packed up. And then my question to you is, when she packed up did you know where she was going?A: Yes

Q: And where was she going?A: she was going to Seffner.

Q: Okay, and did you know where she would be staying?A: Yes, she told me at that time?

Q: When she said she was going to Tampa did you know whether she was buying or renting?A: Yes, I knew she was going to have an apartment.

Q: And how did you know that?A: Because of the lease, the apartment lease.

Q: Have you visited her current home?A: Yes.

Q: Help her move?A: Very little.

Q: At what point did she tell you where she would be living?A: It was probably when she finalized her move

Q: Prior to moving or after she moved?A: I don’t recall, I think prior to.

Q: Did you help her secure the apartment?A: Yes. Before I answer that, what do you mean?

Q: Did you help her identify the apartment?A: No.

Q: Did you help her move into the apartment?A: My assistance in moving was limited.


Q: Did you co-sign the lease?A: Yes

Q: At what point did you decide to leave Orlando and move into Indian Rocks?A: In the summer.

Q: Who lives in the apartments now?A: My wife and son.

Q: And who lives in Indian Rocks now?A: My daughter and myself.

Q: Are there times when your wife stays with you?A: Periodic visits.

Q: What is your first experience with coach Callahan; when did you first meet him?A: Sometime prior to enrolling at Armwood.

Q: What were the circumstances?A: My wife set up the meet.

Q: Do you remember where you met the coach?A: At the school.

Q: And were you with your wife?A: Yes.

Q: And this was prior to enrolling your son?A: yes.

Q: Do you remember where you met him?A: Where I met him?

Q: Did you meet him in the school lobby; did you meet him in his office; did you meet him on the football field, in the weight room or someplace else. Where did you have this conversation with coach Callahan?A: In his office.

Q: Did you go to the receptionist desk and ask for coach Callahan; how did you get to his office?A: Through my wife.


Q: How did she get to Callahan; give me your footsteps?A: We got out of the car and walked towards; I guess the locker rooms and then was shown to Callahan’s office.

Q: And what was the conversation with coach Callahan?A: It was really just a meet and greet.

Q: Was your son with you when you met coach Callahan?A: Yes

Q: Was your daughter with you?A: No

Q: How long did that meet and greet take place?A: 30-45 minutes.

Q: Do you know if coach Callahan knew your son prior to the meeting in his office?A: Not to my knowledge.

Q: Who occupies the home in Orlando now?A: No one.

Q: Do you and your wife still go up to the Orlando home?A: Yes.

Q: How many times do you go to the Orlando home?A: usually once or twice a week, I have a home office there that I use.

Q: Do you have other offices in Orlando?A: Yes.

Q: How many businesses do you own?A: Two.

Q: And do you have another physical address for those businesses other than Bohart Court?A: Yes.

Interview:Coach Sean Callahan, Head Football Coach at Armwood High School – 1/19/2011

Q: When did you first meet the Lightsey kid?


A: Someone saw him and his father in the office and called me. That’s when I found out who he was. I called over to Dr. Phillips because I knew he was on a championship team the year before. I wanted to be sure the coach at Dr. Phillips was aware he was transferring here and I also wanted to know what kind of kid he was and if there were any discipline issues.

Follow-up Interview:Coach Sean Callahan, Head Football Coach at Armwood High School – 1/25/2011

Q: How long have you been here at Armwood High School?A: twenty eight years.

Q: Over the last three years or so, have you had an occasion to speak with a parent or student athlete prior to their enrollment at Armwood?A: No.

Q: To your knowledge have any coaches, staff members, boosters or student athletes talked with a student which resulted in the student transferring into Armwood High School?A: No.

Q: Do you know a person by the name of Duran Bell?A: No sir.

Q: Do you know if one of your coaches knows a person by the name of Duran Bell?A: Isaac Anderson, one of my coaches.

Q: Do you know the extent of the relationship between Coach Anderson and Duran Bell?A: Friends.

Q: There’s a student athlete who transferred here from Dr. Phillips in Orlando by the name of John Lightsey; I guess you call him Jack?A: Yes.

Q: When did you first make contact with Jack Lightsey?A: When did I first see him? The parents and him came to spring workouts, I did not see Jack at the time because I walked away; how long they were there I don’t know, I was very quick with them because I had to deal with a discipline issue with one of my players.

Q: Do you remember a prior conversation with me that took place on January 19th here at Armwood High School?A: Yes we did talk.


Q: Do you remember me asking when did you first meet the Lightsey family?A: I do

Q: Do you remember what your response was during that meeting?A: I think I said some time during the spring time.

Q: If I said to you that during our previous conversation you told me that the first time you came in contact with the Lightsey family is when someone saw the Lightsey kid in the guidance office and notified you of his presence. You then stated to me that a call was placed to Dr. Phillips to see if there were any discipline issues; would that be correct coach?A: I did call Dr. Phillips High School.

Q: How about the first part of my statement where you stated in our previous conversation that the first time you came in contact with the Lightsey family is when he and his father were in the registrar’s office, and you were notified by a student that he was on campus?A: The first time they showed up at Armwood was workouts, our kids were working out at that time; they wanted to know more about Armwood, they said they were coming to Armwood but they wanted to know more about Armwood Football. I directed them to the guidance office. I didn’t see Jack at the time because he was supposedly walking around campus and I was taking care of a situation. I’m not sure how long the parents were still there, but they were walking around I think after that but I did not receive a call from the registrar’s office that he was down there. The first time I saw him was when he was enrolled. I did hear that there was a football player from Dr. Phillips from someone that was in the guidance office that day. That’s the best I can recall.

Q: Who was with the Lightsey’s when you first saw them during spring workouts?A: Just the mom and the dad is who I saw.

Q: Did you know in advance they were coming?A: No.

Q: Did you have a prior conversation with Mrs. Lightsey prior to them showing up?A: No.

Q: And how long would you estimate that conversation took place?A: Me meeting them at the field house here before stepping out, I would have to say minutes.

Q: Have you had any conversations with Mr. and Mrs. Lightsey or student Jack Lightsey prior to Jack enrolling into Armwood?A: No.


Interview: Isaac Anderson - Assistant Football Coach and teacher, Armwood High School(This interview takes place in the presence of Armwood Principal M. Ippolito)

Q: During a previous conversation you made mention that there may be one athlete who was here at Armwood who had not at that time moved into Armwood’s school district. Do you remember that?A: I said there was one athlete who may not be living in the school district that plays on the football team, yes I said that. There may be one.

Q: And when I asked you for the name of the athlete what was your response?A: I said I want to protect the privacy of the kid and also my job; and my credibility as a coach on this staff and in this county.

Q: Did I continue trying to encourage you to give the name of the kid?A: Yes

Q: And did you ever give me the name of the kid?A: No.

Q: Did I show you a 2011 varsity football roster?A: You did.

Q: And did I ask if the kid was on that roster?A: You did.

Q: And was the kid on the roster?A: Honestly, I can’t remember if he was on the roster or not; but I think I said, I don’t remember my answer. I don’t remember what your roster looked like, it may have looked like the roster you put in front of me now, but I did tell you that the kid played JV football and then moved up to Varsity.

Q: And if I show you this roster can you review the roster and tell me if the kid is on the roster?A: The name is not on the roster.

Q: When was the kid moved up to Varsity?A: After completion of the JV season.

Q: Did the kid play in any Varsity games during the season?A: Yes.

Q: What games did he play?


A: I can’t tell you exactly what games he played; I can tell you it was both regular season and post season games.

Q: Was it early or late in the season?A: It was after the six week JV season so I would say it was mid to late in regular season and one or two games in the playoffs.

Q: When is the JV season over?A: I’d say the end of October; maybe the last few days of October maybe into November.

Q: Did the kid play in any Varsity games prior to the end of the JV season?A: No.

Q: Can you give me the name of the kid?A: Yea I’ll give you the name of the kid because I’ve already done some investigating and I understand that the kid is on school choice, so the name is Kaylin Holloway.

Q: So when did you discover Kaylin Holloway was on school choice?A: I would say about two days before spring break around the seventh or the eighth.

Q: And at the time of our first interview, did you know the name of the kid then?A: Yes.

Q: But it was only after you did your homework at some later date that you discovered that the kid is eligible, is that right?A: Yes.

Q: If you determined that he was not here on school choice would you have given me the name of the student today?A: Probably not; even now I don’t feel comfortable giving you his name for the number one reason is, I want to respect the kid’s ability to continue playing in his later years because he has a couple more years to go. I’m really only trying to protect the interest of the kid; and my credibility as a coach, sticking together as a team, not being a whistle blower.

Q: How many years have you been here at Armwood?A: Three years.

Q: Have you had an opportunity to review the FHSAA handbook?A: Have I read the entire handbook, no.

Q: Have you read any of the handbook?


A: Maybe when it comes to a few technicalities like rules of the game. In my opinion, I don’t have to read anything where it involves the legitimacy of a player because I’m not a head coach of a team, and all I do is coach the kids that come to Armwood High School. I don’t go out and recruit or go out and solicit players to come here, that’s never ever been the case; so why even look up anything when it comes to soliciting players.

Q: With regards to the FHSAA handbook, you have spent very little time in three years of coaching here reading the handbook; is that what I’m to understand?A: When it comes to a matter such as this, I would agree.

Q: Rules and regulations of the Florida High School Athletic Association, that’s specifically what we’re talking about, am I correct?A: When it applies to recruiting and soliciting players I don’t do it so why should I look at recruiting if I’m not soliciting players to come over to Armwood then why should I read the book on solicitation. I’m not recruiting anybody; all I’m doing is coaching football.

Q: The last we spoke, we talked about players or parents interested in moving kids into Armwood to play football. During that conversation you laid out a scenario whereby if a parent or a kid was interested in playing football at Armwood then there were some things that happened between the head coach and the parent or player; do you remember that?A: Yes I do; now to be corrected by that because if I could take back anything during our previous conversation it would be somewhere along that line.

Q: My question, do you remember the previous conversation where you laid out this scenario?A: You asked me the question and my answer is yes.

Q: Okay, then tell me about that conversation?A: I said that if I were a parent who wanted the best situation for their son, I would contact whatever coach would put my son in the best situation. Whether it would be coaching or whether it would be college opportunities. So I wouldn’t blame any parent who would call any coach and say, what would it take to get my son enrolled at Armwood High School. As a parent I would still do that, it wouldn’t be for football I have a son who plays basketball pretty good. He wants to go to Armwood ironically, but If he wanted me to go out and talk to another high school coach, credible let’s say Wharton High School which is a pretty good high school, I would probably call that coach because that’s my job as a parent, a father to put my son in the best situation possible.

Q: Okay let’s go back to our first interview. And let me recap the conversation and see if I can refresh your memory.A: I told you that I assumed that parents call coach Callahan and try to do the same thing, and coach Callahan probably offers suggestions; again I told you that I assume that. I didn’t tell you that was a fact because I also told you that I’ve never been around a parent who might have


came to visit, I’ve never been around an interaction between coach Callahan and a parent when it comes to trying to get a student enrolled at Armwood. I told you this was all assumptions. All I do is coach football. You might have took it as I’m stating it as factual, but I told you specifically that I have never ever been in his office with a parent when it comes to this regards. The only time I’ve been in coach Callahan’s office is when we are meeting with parents to discuss fundraising or when disciplining a student. Everything else I told you is based on assumption from all the other coaches when we are together.

Q: Can I ask the question now?A: Sure.

Q: When we met a month or so ago, we were in a conversation whereby you stated that if there were a parent or a child or a player who wanted to come to Armwood High School, the parent or the player would approach coach Callahan. Coach Callahan would either do his own research or talk to other people to verify the kid’s abilities. Then coach Callahan would meet with the parent to discuss finances to see about getting the parent into Armwood’s school district. Now tell me what part of my understanding of our original interview is incorrect?A: I’ll tell you the only thing that you said that is correct that I can definitely confirm; maybe, well I won’t say maybe but in this situation that you’ve drawn out, If a kid wants to play I would assume that coach Callahan would google the kid to see if there is any film on the kid. Everything else that I told you that you just restated, I told you it was based on assumption. I didn’t tell you it was based on fact; I didn’t tell you it was based on experience. I told you I assumed that this is how it went. I don’t know, I’ve never been there.

Q: Okay, can you then tell me in your own words what you said to me in the prior interview so that I can better understand you?A: I didn’t say I’m assuming but, I can’t say that I didn’t say assume, all I did was lay out the scenario you told me.

Q: Lay it out again?A: Again, a kid may want to play here; a parent may want their kid to play here, I’m assuming the parent or the kid tries to establish contact with coach Callahan. I’m assuming coach Callahan at that point does a football background check on the kid; can the kid play football. I’m also assuming at that point coach Callahan would inform the parent on how to make a legal move into Armwood’s district.

Q: For purposes of what?A: To be a student [pause] athlete.

Transfers In Question –


The investigator requested a list of student/athletes who have transferred to Armwood High School since the completion of the 2011/2012 football season.

On March 26, 2012 Principal Ippolito emails a list of athletes who have transferred to Armwood and have expressed an interest in participating in football workouts. Principal Ippolito forwards a list of students who he has deemed ineligible to participate in the Spring Game. Here is a partial list of these athletes and the reason(s) why they have been deemed ineligible to play in the Spring Game as per Armwood Principal M. Ippolito:

1. Omar Gordon - concerns regarding address of residence2. Markis Firlow - concerns regarding a full and complete move3. Yassine Ouazzani - concerns regarding address4. Aaron Evans - concerns regarding a full and complete move5. Gabriel Nold - concerns regarding a full and complete move

The investigator interviewed Principal Ippolito regarding a number of these students. One such student is Gabriel Nold, a recent transfer from Wharton High School. During said interview the investigator asks Principal Ippolito if he has conducted a home visit to confirm or deny his theory that student Nold did not make a full and complete move to Armwood High School. Ippolito states he intends to wait until the summer to send school security to verify residency. The investigator inquires into why if Principal Ippolito has reservations about a full and complete move at the time the student transfers, knowing he is a rising senior who was the starting lineman an Wharton High School, and why if the student has already requested to participate in spring football, why would he wait until the summer to verify a full and complete move. That being said, the investigator began inquiring into the living arrangements of student Gabriel Nold. Below are the preliminary findings to date:

1. Student Nold enrolls at Armwood High School on or about 2/27/2012 from Wharton High School.

2. The enrollment documents for Nold give an apartment address of 10234 Douglas Oaks Circle. This apartment complex houses a large number of Armwood Football Players to include recent transfers, John Lightsey, Darryl Richardson, and Gabriel Nold.

3. The apartment is rented mere day’s prior to enrolling at Armwood High School.4. Nold states relocation is a result of parents separated and or divorcing.5. The Nold family owns three vehicles; a Gray Jeep, Red Saturn and Honda SUV. All three

vehicles have been observed together at 9907 Kingsshyre Way, Tampa in Wharton’s school district.

6. Said vehicles have been observed at Kingsshyre address on at least four separate days and times, both week days and weekends.


7. Student Nold and his father John Nold have been observed getting a newspaper early in the morning; cutting grass; and driving in and out of the garage. The Jeep and Honda SUV are parked in the garage; the Saturn is normally parked in the driveway.

The investigator defers to FHSAA representatives for further instruction on whether to continue said inquiry into student Nold.