Thomas Heinz, right, is pictured with his lawyer, Brad Bailey, during his arraignment in Somerville District Court on Tuesday. Photo courtesy Medford Daily Mercury.

The following is an announcement from Middlesex County District Attorney Gerry Leone:

Two former Medford soccer coaches have been indicted on forcible child rape charges, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today.

Roger Lau, 26, of Medford was indicted by a Middlesex Superior Court Grand Jury on charges of rape of a child by force (4 counts). Thomas Heinz, 26, of Medford , was indicted on a charge of rape of a child by force.

A superior court arraignment date has not yet been scheduled.

According to authorities, at the time of the rapes, which occurred from the spring of 2003- the summer of 2004, the defendants coached the under 14 girls soccer league in Medford . Heinz was the head coach and Lau was the assistant coach.

The victim, aged 13-14 at the time, stated to authorities that she was involved in a sexual relationship with Lau for over a year.

The victim further stated that Heinz had also assaulted her on two separate occasions. Heinz was 20-21 at the time.

Lau was arrested on December 21 on 4 counts of forcible child rape. He was arraigned the next morning before Somerville District Court Judge Maurice Flynn and ordered held on $8,000 cash bail with conditions that he has no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16 and no coaching, referring, employment or volunteering with children under the age of 16.

Heinz was arrested December 22 on one count of forcible child rape and arraigned that morning before Judge Flynn and ordered released on personal recognizance with conditions that he has no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16 and no coaching, referring, employment or volunteering with children under the age of 16.

The investigation remains ongoing. Members of the public who believe that they may have information that could be helpful to the investigation can call Medford Police at 781-391-6778 or the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Child Abuse Unit at 781-897-8400. The Medford Soccer Association has cooperated fully with the investigation.

These charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by Medford Police. The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Katelyn Draper of the Middlesex District Attorney’s Child Abuse Unit. The victim witness advocate is Susie Marshall. The Child Interview Specialist is Katie Nugent.

Editor’s Note:

Medford Youth Soccer issued the following statement on its website in December in response to the charges:

“Medford Soccer is troubled by the allegations against two former coaches that became public today. Medford Soccer has cooperated fully with authorities involved in the investigation and will continue to do so.

At this time, due to the ongoing criminal investigation, we feel that no further comment is appropriate.”

Update

Both Lau and Heinzs’ lawyers deny the allegations against their clients. Bailey said Heinz voluntarily submitted to an interview with police because he “had nothing to hide.” Lau’s attorney said the complaints would be “unmerited” once the investigation has concluded.

The following is a letter from Tufts University Larry Bacow to the Tufts community:

Dear Members of the Tufts Community:

At the Board meeting that concluded on Saturday, I informed the Trustees of my intention to step down as your President in June of 2011, following ten years of service.

I have often said that ten years is about the right term for a university president. It is long enough for one individual to have a substantial impact but not so long that the institution (or the president) becomes comfortable. Transitions are also healthy for organizations. They provide a unique opportunity for the community to reflect upon the type of leadership it needs to meet the challenges of the future. Tufts deserves just such an opportunity as it begins its 160th year.

I think the time is also right from a personal perspective. It was teaching that drew me to academic life, and as I get ready to turn sixty, it is time for me to once again spend some time in a classroom. Candidly, I am also looking forward to a quieter, simpler life. More specifically, I would like to get reacquainted with the concept of “unscheduled time.” I also would like to follow the lead of so many of our graduates and once again become a more active citizen myself.

Adele and I feel so fortunate to have called Tufts our home for this past decade. Every day we are reminded what a special place this is. I know of no other university where the students, faculty, staff and alumni are as kind, considerate and caring, or so committed to making the world a better place.

It has been a great privilege to lead Tufts for these past nine years, and I look forward to working with the Board to ensure a smooth and successful transition to the next president. There will be plenty of time over the next sixteen months to reflect upon the past and say goodbyes. For now, I am focused on the future, on completing the Beyond Boundaries campaign, and on working with each of you in the months ahead to make Tufts an even better place. Thanks for your support and your understanding.

With great appreciation and affection,

Larry

More…

Tufts Milestones Under Bacow

Official Announcement from Tufts

Bacow Speaks to Tufts Daily

1st State Tourney Bid Since 1999 for Mustangs

- Allison Goldsberry

After splitting a series of home games last week with two wins and two losses, the varsity boys basketball team qualified for the state tournament with a win over Winchester on Saturday.

Medford bounced back from a tough 1-point loss to Malden on Friday night to put away Winchester on Saturday, 58-46. Senior captain Andrew White earned a team-high twenty points. Senior Ronnie Pitterson chipped in with three 3-pointers in the second quarter to provide the Mustangs with a comfortable 30-21 lead. Head Coach Anthony Faradie also credited point guard Kadeem Smith for “big play” for “getting people open shots and taking care of the ball.” Adam Smith punched up the Mustangs’ offense and “did a good job on the boards coming off the bench,” said Coach Faradie.

The victory over Winchester clinched a state tourney berth for Medford, who has not qualified since 1999, when White’s older brother David, now an assistant coach, was a star player for the team.

The Mustangs are 10-6 overall and 4-4 in the Greater Boston League, good enough for second place in the GBL behind 13-2 Cambridge (7-1 GBL).

Next up for Medford is a trip to Xaverian on Thursday, February 11 for a make-up game. The Mustangs then head to Malden Catholic on Friday, February 12, host Billerica on Monday, February 15, and wrap up the season on Wednesday, February 17 at Winchester.

Tournament brackets should be announced some time in the next few days.

Junior Division

Crush 13, Buckeyes 12 – With a three-way tie atop the Junior Division standings, a pair of 6-2 teams squared off in a match-up where the winner would have a slight advantage with just three games left in the regular season. Tara Foley’s second basket of the game came with 7:56 remaining and although it would be the last points for the Crush, it proved to be enough. The Crush also got points from Emma Cline, Abby McCarthy, Abigail Cline and Samantha Morin. Rhiannon Arnold and Mya Matarazzo each finished with four points for the Buckeyes, who have dropped three consecutive games.

Celtics 22, Red Storm 12 – The Celtics (7-2) kept pace with the Crush by jumping out to a 12-4 halftime lead behind six points from Colleen Hardy and four points from Shannon Smith. Hardy went on to finish with a game-high 14 points for the Celtics, whose 22 points represent the highest scoring game for a team in the Junior Division this year. Destiny Fitzgerald led the way for the Red Storm (1-7) who also got baskets from Heather McShane and Alana Turner.

Senior Division

Nets 38, Tar Heels 18 – Rebecca Pierce scored 14 of her game-high 20 points in the opening frame to help the Nets take down the Tar Heels. Pierce picked her spots in the early going, making sure that her teammates remained involved on offense despite her hot shooting from the perimeter. Sophia Zavarelli chipped in with eight points for the Nets, who improved to 5-4 on the year and outscored the Tar Heels 20-7 in the second half. Siobhan and Raniece Turner combined to score 16 of the 18 points for the Tar Heels, who lost for just the second time this season.

Dragons 28, Angels 8 – Elena and Sarah Branley seemed to have an extra bounce in their step for the Dragons, who cruised past the Angels, 28-8. The Branley sisters were playing in front of their father, Commander Sgt. Major Brian Branley, who returned home from Iraq. Elena netted eight of her season-high 12 points in the opening half for the Dragons, 6-3, while Paulina Petras chipped in with eight points in the victory. Angela Valente and Kelly Foley recorded all of the points for the Angels, who were held scoreless in the first half.

- Submitted by Brian Devine

Just in time for Sunday’s Super Bowl, Donald Noel, center, a Somerville resident and customer of Century Bank’s Mystic Avenue branch in Medford, shakes hands with Century Bank Founder, Marshall M. Sloane, left, and Mystic Avenue Branch Manager, Bob Bennett, right, after receiving a 42-inch high definition Panasonic TV on Friday at Century’s Mystic Avenue branch. Noel took home the HD-TV as part of Century Bank’s TV giveaway. Courtesy photo.

A Medford man and his son were sentenced to prison time after pleading guilty to using fraudulent telemarketing practices to deceive over 1,000 donors to police and veterans’ charitable organizations.

Richard Seeley, 39, also pleaded guilty to using the funds he obtained for his own personal use, as well to charges of drug distribution, drug possession, witness intimidation and threats.

It is estimated that between August 2006 and January 2008, 1,000 donors were defrauded and well over $100,000 in donations was misappropriated through an elaborate scheme involving the Seeley’s and three other defendants.

The elder Seeley pleaded guilty to a variety of fraud, larceny, and drug charges and was sentenced to serve four and a half to six and a half years in state prison.

In June of 2009 Brandon was sentenced to serve two and a half years in the House of Correction, with the sentence suspended for five years, for his role in defrauding donors. On January 22, 2010, Brandon’s probation was revoked for failure to comply with his probation conditions. He is currently serving a sentence of two and a half years in the House of Correction.

According to Attorney General Martha Coakley, her office began an investigation in August 2006 after the matter was referred by a veterans’ charitable organization. In addition, the Attorney General’s Non-Profit/Public Charities Division Division had also received multiple complaints.

Investigators say Seeley ran a telemarketing company called CMR Marketing (CMR), also known as All Star Marketing, based in Medford. Authorities discovered that he created an entire business and employed a staff to engage in an ongoing fraudulent scheme. Seeley admitted that between August 2006 and January 2008, he and his co-conspirators used fraudulent telemarketing and charitable solicitation practices to deceive and steal from over 1,000 donors who thought they were giving to veterans’ and police charities. Seeley admitted that he and his co-conspirators instead stole donations and used the proceeds for their personal use.

Seeley, through his telemarketing company, was supposed to be engaged in charitable solicitations for the Veteran’s Charitable Foundation (VCF), of Boynton Beach, FL, and a retired police officers organization. Instead, much of the money given by donors never made it to the veterans and retired police officers it was intended to benefit. The telemarketers used untruthful and misleading statements to take money from donors by false pretenses. These misrepresentations included false claims about the identities of the charities for which they were raising money, the use of those funds, the status of other charitable organizations, and the paid status of the telemarketing and charity staffs.

In one example, while CMR/All Star was fundraising for VCF, Seeley, his son Brandon, and some of Seeley’s employees would claim that they were affiliated with the New England Paralyzed Veterans Association (NEPVA), and that money raised would benefit that organization and would be used for particular purposes such as scholarships or phone cards.

Additionally, Seeley pled guilty to stealing donation checks payable to other charities and depositing those checks directly into VCF and All Star Marketing’s bank accounts.

Seeley had also contracted to raise funds for the Retired Boston Police Officers’ Association (RBPOA) beginning in December 2006. Under CMR’s contract with RBPOA, CMR/All Star would solicit donations from potential donors, pick up the donations, and deposit them directly into RBPOA’s bank account. Seeley admitted that he and a co-conspirator stole both financial and in-kind donations they solicited, as well as made fraudulent misrepresentations to obtain money from donors.

Two other defendants, Lewis and Frank Cariello, have been charged in connection with the case and their cases are still pending. Borden pleaded guilty in June and was sentenced to serve two and a half years in prison.

Seeley also got busted on drug charges when police found out he was dealing drugs while he was supposed to be in court. In the course of that investigation, Seeley made two drug sales to an undercover State Trooper, and was in the middle of a sale to another customer when he was arrested. Seeley pleaded guilty to several drug charges, including possession and distribution.

Information from Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office was used for this story.

Funding for Medford High Field of Dreams Project Approved

- Allison Goldsberry

After three years of active fundraising and lobbying by several Medford parents, Medford High School will receive new artificial turf fields that can be used for a variety of sports.

The Field of Dreams project was initially to be funded by alumni donations and revenue from cell phone companies renting space on a cell monopole. While those two pieces of funding still remain in place, according to organizer Bill Carr, Jr., the city also has approved a $2 million loan order to pay for the project.

“In my opinion this vote represents an investment in the future of Medford. The response has been overwhelmingly positive from the parents, people who are going to be paying the bill…The investment is going to reap big dividends and make all who attend Medford High, proud Mustangs!” said City Council President Robert Maiocco, who voted in favor of the project.

The City Council approved the $2 million loan order, 6-1, at its Tuesday meeting after hearing from dozens of residents, most of whom were in favor of the project. Those who opposed the loan, including Councilor Robert Penta and members of Advocating for Medford Public Schools, said they weren’t against creating new fields, but did not support a loan for the project because they felt other school priorities were more pressing in the tough fiscal climate.

Newly-elected School Committee member George Scarpelli, a member of the Field of Dreams committee, said he knew “the question would be brought up” concerning how the city could afford to take out a loan for the fields at a time when the school and city budgets face cuts. Scarpelli said after he spoke to Mayor Michael McGlynn he realized “we are not taking away from the school side to support the field project; one had nothing to with other.”

“I know we are in difficult fiscal times but this is the vision we need to move our city forward; we are now building safe, state of the art fields that we can use as viable revenue sources,” said Scarpelli.

“I want the citizens of Medford to understand I made a pledge that if a question or a project came in front of me, I would weigh all the options for what was best for the children and the citizens of Medford, and I strongly feel that the building of new fields is what is best for our community,” Scarpelli continued.

Residents packed the Council chambers on Tuesday night and many spoke in favor of the new fields, including several student athletes.

“The young student athletes from Medford High, who spoke on the issue, did all of us proud, they were informed and articulate,” said Councilor Maiocco.

Carr said he was in the audience yet he did not feel the need to speak before the Council, instead letting the students have their say.

“I didn’t get up and speak one word…it was about the kids,” said Carr.

Scarpelli credited Carr for all of the work he did to continue moving the project forward over the past three years after starting the Field of Dreams committee with just a few parents. He said he wanted to personally thank Carr on behalf of his family and Medford’s children.

“We seldom see people in today’s world step up and volunteer time away from family, work, and personal life to do something for others and this is exactly what Bill has done…not to take away for what the other members did for the project but it was Bill Carr, Jr. who would not take no for an answer and with what ever road block that was put in his way he had the heart and vision to go through them and finally succeed,” said Scarpelli in an email.

According to Carr, the project includes two turf fields that can be used for soccer, lacrosse, and football games as well as for baseball and softball practice; a running/walking track; full lighting; and two scoreboards. Handicapped parking will also be created next to the new fields.

Heimlich Landscaping and Construction Corporation of Woburn has won the bid to create new turf fields behind Medford High School. Carr said ground should be broken in the spring and the entire project will take twelve weeks.

The bidding process will open once again on February 25 for the construction of the cellphone tower, said Carr.  The city has struggled with finding a bidder and this time the bidding will open at $450,000.

In addition to the fields behind Medford High School, Hormel Stadium will also be done over with artificial turf this summer.

MHS Athletes Recognized by MIAA for State Celebration of Women in Sports

Medford High School students Kristina Bove and Ariana Fiorello were recognized by the MIAA for the Massachusetts Celebration of National Girls and Women in Sport Day in a special ceremony at Faneuil Hall on Friday. Bove, a junior, plays soccer, hockey, and softball while Fiorello, a sophomore, plays volleyball and runs indoor and outdoor track. The girls are pictured above with Girls Track and Softball Coach Jack Dempsey and Girls Soccer Coach Rachel Perry.

A Medford baby has been chosen to become the new face of babyGap.

Fourteen-month old William, pictured at left, won a nation wide modeling contest for the clothing retailer. He was chosen out of thousands as a finalist by the company and was selected as one of four winners through online voting.

“William is just that classic baby. He has round cheeks that make you melt,” Gap spokeswoman Kimberly Terry told the Boston Herald. “You could tell he has a little bit of a silly personality.”

His parents, who both work at Massachusetts General Hospital, are excited for William, whose face began appearing in Gap window displays yesterday.

His mother Rebecca told the Herald she can’t wait to see William’s mug in the window.

“I want to go to all of them. ‘There you are. There you are again,’ ” she said.

According to information on the Gap’s contest website, William loves singing iconic rhymes like “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and “The Wheels on the Bus,” and he enjoys spending the day at Lake Quannapouwitt in Wakefield.

The tot won a $1,000 gift card to Gap and a trip to see “The Lion King” on Broadway.”

- InsideMedford.com

Head Coach Jack Dempsey’s Medford High School girls indoor track team overcame an early Malden lead with a strong team effort, defeating their archrival 48.5-37.5 at the Golden Tornadoes indoor complex on Wednesday.

The Lady Mustangs were led by senior captains McKenzie Flynn, who earned 1st place in the 1000 meter run and the 4×400m relay, and Jasmyn Hawkins, who tied for first with her teammate in the high jump with a 4′4″ leap and who also was part of the winning relay team.

Other first place finishers include junior Katie O’Brien (300 meter run and relay), freshman Lauren Walsh (1st place tie high jump and relay), sophomore Ariana Fiorello (50 yard dash), senior Ayna Pierre-Louis (50 yard hurdles), and freshman Nicole Avella (600 meter run).

Several Mustangs also earned second and third place finishes that helped lift Medford over Malden. Sophomores Amanda Goguen and Jesse Alley each earned second place in the one mile and 300 meter runs, respectively. Junior Lauren Bandoian earned crucial points with her 3rd place finish in the high jump and and 600 meter run, while Bandoian’s sister Lindsay took third in a close finish in the 2 mile run. Sophomore Jamie DeRosas was 3rd in the 1000 meter run and freshman Christine Lynch took 3rd in the shot put with a throw of 27′10.” Other Mustangs who did well were junior Lisa Bandoian (one mile run), freshman Micala Mitrano (300 meter run) and juniors Taylor Mason and Lynsie Brogan (both in the 2 mile run).

The Lady Mustangs’ next meet will be the Greater Boston League Championships on Saturday, February 13 at the Reggie Lewis Track Center.

- InsideMedford.com

Carter Twins to Perform for Fine Arts Department Benefit Concert Friday, February 12

The Medford Public Schools Fine Arts Department is proud to announce a benefit concert for senior scholarships, featuring the Carter Twins and Medford’s Michael Maloney, on Friday, February 12, 2010 at 7:30PM at Medford High School’s Caron Theatre.

Come on out and enjoy young, up and coming talent while supporting senior Fine Arts students! All proceeds from the concert will go towards senior scholarships.

“We really wanted to do something special for our seniors. The proceeds from this concert will go towards providing scholarships for college,” said Richard Trotta, Director of the Media/Technology and Fine Arts Department for the Medford Public Schools.

The concert is generously being sponsored by Brookline Bank, Medford Rotary Club, Warren Ramirez, Bates Insurance Agency, and Hyatt Place Medford.

After performing hundreds of live gigs while juggling a busy high school schedule, the Carter Twins burst onto the country scene in 2008 after a chance meeting with an MTV executive in Los Angeles, who ultimately led them to Country Music Television (CMT). The brothers recently completed high school and moved to Nashville to pursue their music career full time under the development of CMT Music and Meteor 17.

The Carter Twins were in the select nomination group for this year’s CMT awards, being in the nomination pool for Best New Duo as well as breakthrough Video of the Year.

The twins’ band includes Brandon Hasinger, electric guitar, Brian Howell, bass guitar, and Tommy Perkinson, drums.

Michael Maloney, Vice President of Medford High School’s Class of 2008, is currently a sophomore at UMass-Boston, where he is a double major in Health Science and Music. Featured on WBZ’s Jordan Rich Show, Michael has taught four workshops at Citi Center (formerly the Wang Theatre), and regularly performs at local nursing homes. He will be backed up by Woburn’s Nate Rohr on drums during the concert.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Click here to order tickets.

Tickets are also available in the Media Department at Medford High School. Contact Allison Goldsberry at 781-393-2239 or agoldsberry@medford.k12.ma.us.

Tickets are going fast and might not be available at the door, so order now! There is a limited number of seating available in the Caron Theatre.

About the Carter Twins
www.cartertwins.com

Growing up in Akron, Ohio, 19-year-old twins Josh and Zach Carter were surrounded by music from the time they were born. Their mother worked in country radio and encouraged their interest – Zach stole time at her piano, while she taught Josh “Stairway to Heaven” on the guitar.

The family recently relocated to Nashville from South Carolina so the twins could pursue their music career full-time under the development of CMT and Meteor 17. Still settling into their new digs, Josh and Zach spent the summer working with some of Music City’s best songwriters and crafting as many as 60 songs in just six months. Their debut album has collaborations with Charles Kell, Tia Sillers (“I Hope You Dance” and numerous #1 hits) and a host of other top tunesmiths.

Their first single, “Heart Like Memphis,” garnered national attention, making them one of the fastest-rising new artists on the digital charts. The Carter Twins are outselling over the current country chart titles on downloads, out streaming nearly all new country acts on My Space, out searching over half the current country acts on Google – thus showing they totally connect with audiences, both on the radio and live.

Their album, set for release in early 2010, is being produced by Frank Rogers, Billboard magazine’s #1 country producer of the Year (25 #1 singles). Their touring agent is CAA Nashville chief Rod Essig and the rest of CAA who are deeply involved working on all aspects of the twin’s multimedia career. Their media and career direction is being helmed by Spencer Proffer and his staff at Meteor 17.

The Carter Twins were in the select nomination group for last year’s CMT Awards, being in the nomination pool for Best New Duo as well as Breakthrough Video of The Year.

About Michael Maloney
www.myspace.com/michaelmmusic

Michael Maloney, Vice President of Medford High School’s Class of 2008, is currently a sophomore at UMass-Boston, where he is a double major in Health Science and Music. Featured on WBZ’s Jordan Rich Show, Michael has taught four workshops at Citi Center (formerly the Wang Theatre), and regularly performs at local nursing homes. He will be backed up by Woburn’s Nate Rohr on drums during the concert.

Maloney might be best known around town as the kid who beat out 80 other entries and won $5,000 in WROR’s “Townie Tunes” contest in 2007 with his “The Long and Winding Road to Medford” parody of the Beatles’ hit song.

Maloney, a lifelong musician and avid Beatles fan, is a member of St. Joseph’s choir and his many musical talents include singing and playing the drums, violin, ukulele, and piano.