Well-known and well-liked CHS choral director Jonathan Spivey has been accused of improper sexual contact with a student, Lisa Ferrari reports for CBS 19. The accusation was reported to the school by the student, and then reported to police. The police searched the school for evidence a week ago, and he has not reported to work all week, presumably indicating a suspension during the investigation. Spivey also serves as minister of music at Mount Zion Baptist Church. No further details have been made public.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
-
Archive for Sideblog »
well, i guess his life is over in CVille, innocent or not.
yep…guilty until proven innocent.
Just trying to determine the difference between gossip and news. Does having a TV reporter mention it make it ‘news’? Does having a teen involved make it ‘news’? Has there been a police arrest to make it news? Will a possible finding of innocence make the news?
It is the same as when someone is called a racist without proof.
It is nearly impossible to unring that bell.
If you’re innocent and keep your job people will call it a coverup.
If you don’t didn’t do anything it might be easier to resign and move and try and start over, though in the modern day I think that is impossible that this news would not follow you.
Well, as a one-time cow-orker, I am kinda surprised. I’m not surprised at allegations of homosexuality – but orientation isn’t a crime (yet) – but I am very surprised at the allegation of improper behavior with a student. Spivey has been there for a long time, and it seems odd it would take this long for something to come out.
The subpoena business does seem to make it news, but who put this information in front of the press? If a minor is involved, it seems like the courts wouldn’t be advertising the subpoenas. The school system would be handling that sort of thing as discreetly as possible. So, who decided to clue the press in? I mean, it’s not like the police presence at CHS would be any kind of news (I mean, there are Resource Officers all over the place there, and officers who are investigating various students).
I think everyone is right about the smear though – almost no matter how it comes out, there will be a stain on his reputation. Mr. Spivey used to enjoy very strong support in the community, and is very active in a positive way; I have to believe he would continue to, if the allegations were unproven. For crying out loud: look how Scottie Griffin was supported, and she wasn’t part of the C’ville community for even a whole year. I really hope he continues to enjoy that kind of support, if these allegations are unproven – he has been a positive force in the school and in the community.
Wow…
I don’t actually have any feedback on the story, but I did want to chime in that the “Charlottesville Newsplex” is quite possibly the dumbest naming/marketing campaign I have ever seen.
Thats all
c-ville libertarian,
The only support that I ever saw for Scottie Griffin was from Rick Turner.
Well, Rick Turner certainly stirred things up. But he was able to rally a lot of people, so it’s not like he was alone. Dede Smith certianly fought for Scottie too. We’re all better off with M. Rick’s newfound silence.
I have been concerned about Mr. Spivey for YEARS..these allegations come as no surprise to me. I believe every word of it..yes he is a good person, but he has had a lot of udercover things going on. I knew it was only a matter of time before it all came out…it may have took years, but better late than never.