George Morris on the SS list

[Irish_Ei_s]

I have unfollowed the FB group.
My stomach is truly reacting badly to the perpetual onslaught of venom

[Irish_Ei_s]

@AllOverFarm

Wonder what the- I stand with George- folks are thinking? Sounds to me like he’s been dethroned.

You think wrong.

There’s far too many levels of ignorance involved

[dannyboy]

I logged in from my laptop and was able to get to the article. Thanks for the tip! I can see why people wouldn’t want to come forward until after the results of the appeal.

[floppyammy]

@HLMom

To be honest, I was a bit underwhelmed. I didn’t see any allegations later than the 1970’s – 40 years ago. The superb journalists of the NYT couldn’t find anyone to confirm that the behavior persisted past the 1970’s?

I’m not shedding any tears for GM-- I am pretty unforgiving of bullies. But I wonder if SS has more evidence. It is entirely possible someone would be willing to make a confidential report to SS but not willing to talk to a reporter.

Soooo the NYT article, which specifies three minors he is said to have had sexual relations with, whose lives were consequently ruined by drug addiction, felony criminal activity and untimely death was “underwhelming” to you?

Sorry it wasn’t salacious enough for your taste.

I feel badly for those young men, whom, if allegations are to be believed, had their lives ruined by this man.

[Denali6298]

@floppyammy

Soooo the NYT article, which specifies three minors he is said to have had sexual relations with, whose lives were consequently ruined by drug addiction, felony criminal activity and untimely death was “underwhelming” to you?

Sorry it wasn’t salacious enough for your taste.

I feel badly for those young men, whom, if allegations are to be believed, had their lives ruined by this man.

Don’t you know it only matters if it’s recent.

As an an aside I find Cintas interesting the way he raged against SS when RG suicided.

[flofleming]

@541hunter

For those of you who can’t access the article, the names that have been put forth are Jonathan Soresi (who’s identified as the original complainant) and Michael Hart, both of whom had sexual relationships as teens with GHM in the mid-70s.

Michael Hart’s story is told by both his ex-boyfriend Dean Faiello and a former barnmate, Michael Sasso.

Michael Cintas, who trained with Morris as a teen in the 60s and said he was not a victim of abuse, also said:

The other relevant piece to me is this paragraph:

I would believe Michael Sasso as a witness… He had the great hunter Dillon, and won the Maclay finals, so he doesn’t need fifteen minutes of fame or whatever. This behavior of George’s was clearly real. I wish they would verify ages instead of just saying “junior”, because if you’re born on Jan. 2nd, you would be 18 for your last “junior” year.

[Denali6298]

@Crashing Boar

The Section C: Sexual Misconduct part of the SS Code pasted within the above post includes “sexual or gender-based harassment” and “bullying or hazing” in addition to far greater offenses involving actual sexual contact.

As many posters above have described, most of George’s clinics have long included hazing, fat shaming, dumb blonde jokes, and personal put-downs. Today, even calling a boy a “sissy” or a girl “fat” could be reported as a violation. But bear in mind that MAY be ALL he did. This may be SS’s way of telling him that in the present this is no longer acceptable conduct, and not an influence they want in the sport, and that’s fine. I also think one should get a warning that one’s conduct is in violation before getting slapped with suspension.

At the moment no one knows what specific part of that Section C. code he’s actually accused of violating; and many here who are referring to GHM already as a “rapist” and “child molester” as though we have proof of that may be jumping the gun; he may in fact have never done anything but dole out his famously creative verbal abuse.

Perhaps the schadenfreude should be toned down some . . . while we wait for the facts to come out.

Um on the suspension page it says sexual misconduct with a minor so I’m pretty sure it wasn’t because he called someone fat. Do you people read at all?

[541hunter]

@Denali6298

Um on the suspension page it says sexual misconduct with a minor so I’m pretty sure it wasn’t because he called someone fat. Do you people read at all?

To be fair Denali, one of the subsections of the “Sexual Misconduct” definition is “sexual or gender-related harassment.” Calling someone fat doesn’t really fit in with that, but verbal bullying related to someone’s gender does (say, “fat c**t”). Of course we can now be sure George’s penchant for colorful, abusive, often-gender related language isn’t the underlying accusation here.

[BigMama1]

@RugBug

Just a quick note that downplaying the impact of an SS decision is disingenious. If it really only had the impact as noted above, they why even have it? What a waste of time and energy.

The truth is that, while someone could still be involved in horse sports, it would look VERY different.

Of note - when an employee is released from a job, there are options for wrongful termination. I know I mentioned it on another thread, but that does make me wonder if (when?) we will see lawsuits against SS or USEF.

When you join a private, membership organization like USEF you agree to abide by its policies. When you do not, you may be sanctioned and or have your membership revoked. End of story. No lawsuit required.

[Denali6298]

@541hunter

To be fair Denali, one of the subsections of the “Sexual Misconduct” definition is “sexual or gender-related harassment.” Calling someone fat doesn’t really fit in with that, but verbal bullying related to someone’s gender does (say, “fat c**t”). Of course we can now be sure George’s penchant for colorful, abusive, often-gender related language isn’t the underlying accusation here.

You’re not wrong.

[541hunter]

@flofleming

I would believe Michael Sasso as a witness… He had the great hunter Dillon, and won the Maclay finals, so he doesn’t need fifteen minutes of fame or whatever. This behavior of George’s was clearly real. I wish they would verify ages instead of just saying “junior”, because if you’re born on Jan. 2nd, you would be 18 for your last “junior” year.

Sorry, I should have included more of the info from the article. Michael Hart started training with George at 16. Soresi’s section just says “as a teenager.”

[541hunter]

@Denali6298

You’re not wrong.

Just pedantic? :winkgrin:

[Irish_Ei_s]

@flofleming

I would believe Michael Sasso as a witness… He had the great hunter Dillon, and won the Maclay finals, so he doesn’t need fifteen minutes of fame or whatever. This behavior of George’s was clearly real. I wish they would verify ages instead of just saying “junior”, because if you’re born on Jan. 2nd, you would be 18 for your last “junior” year.

Then please read the article for yourself.
What difference does age make to you ??

You are confusing USEF junior eligibility age with SS junior age, it seems

According to the SS website terminology page a minor is anyone under the age of 18.
USEF Junior age does not apply.

[2bayboys]

@fordtraktor

Seriously? You don’t get it at all. Just because someone is an asshole to you doesn’t mean every word they say is a lie, as you admit as you say it is probably true he wasn’t interviewed before the interim sanction was handed down by a potentially non-trained investigator. So you are cool with that, right, because you don’t like her/him? I am not, I have defended some people in court I really didn’t like. That has no bearing on my ability to analyze the facts. Keep emotion out of it.

I have not defended GM at all. I only asked people to wait with RG. Oh, so now we have MB, whom everyone condemned immediately and now it looks like he actually may have a self-defense claim…

truth is usually best found if you drop preconceptions and keep an open mind. But who cares about truth, we have the internet!

Since you brought up Michael Barisone, it seems important to acknowledge that he has been charged with two counts of attempted murder as well as weapons charges. I’m not sure what it is that you read or heard that made it sound like he had a self defense claim?

[anon6003733]

@FiSk123

I completely understand your reaction. However, do keep in mind that this article only digs into cases in which the accusers have agreed to go public & that the last few days have been absolutely terrifying for the claimants and witnesses. Let’s just say that “allegedly” there are more survivors who spoke to SafeSport and “allegedly” the accusations span over several decades.

Once again FiSk ~ thanks very much ~ for providing some trusted detail and context.

I always get a spark when I see your username because I know what’s attached will help clear some more air!

[fordtraktor]

@2bayboys

Since you brought up Michael Barisone, it seems important to acknowledge that he has been charged with two counts of attempted murder as well as weapons charges. I’m not sure what it is that you read or heard that made it sound like he had a self defense claim?

Anyone who has been following today has wondered what the hell went on. The FB posts, the fact the Fiancé has a broken wrist, rumors they attacked him with a knife and it was self defense, or that he attacked them? I simply don’t know and await further info. As we should all do. The police are investigating. I am sure more will come out as it continues. I refuse to draw conclusions yet. This afternoon the web had
nothing but exoneration in the rumor mill, this am it was guilt because of SS, tonight guilt again, tomorrow who knows. I have been around long enough to wait and see.

[enjoytheride]

@2bayboys

Since you brought up Michael Barisone, it seems important to acknowledge that he has been charged with two counts of attempted murder as well as weapons charges. I’m not sure what it is that you read or heard that made it sound like he had a self defense claim?

Charged means that it isn’t cut and dry what happened. It’s possible charges could be dropped. Or not dropped.

There were several reports that Michael was also injured, and that the Fiance had a knife, saying that there was an argument, the fiance attacked Michael with a knife and then Michael shot Lauren.

[MHM]

I feel the need to point out that this seems like the wackiest week ever in the horse world. If there is a wackier week than this on the books, I don’t think I want to know about it. And it’s only Thursday. :eek:

[2bayboys]

@fordtraktor

Anyone who has been following today has wondered what the hell went on. The FB posts, the fact the Fiancé has a broken wrist, rumors they attacked him with a knife and it was self defense, or that he attacked them? I simply don’t know and await further info. As we should all do. The police are investigating. I am sure more will come out as it continues. I refuse to draw conclusions yet. This afternoon the web had
nothing but exoneration in the rumor mill, this am it was guilt because of SS, tonight guilt again, tomorrow who knows. I have been around long enough to wait and see.

I just find it amusing that people who complain that accusations made to SafeSport should more rightly be handled by law enforcement, are some of the same people who now are not trusting law enforcement for pursuing serious criminal charges against Barisone. (not saying this includes you fordtraktor)

[2bayboys]

@enjoytheride

Charged means that it isn’t cut and dry what happened. It’s possible charges could be dropped. Or not dropped.

There were several reports that Michael was also injured, and that the Fiance had a knife, saying that there was an argument, the fiance attacked Michael with a knife and then Michael shot Lauren.

Charged means that there is enough incriminating evidence for a judge or a magistrate to issue warrants for attempted murder and for the prosecuting attorney in that jurisdiction to agree that he/she will prosecute the case.