Sunserrae
01-11-2007, 09:01 AM
Officials: Ref quit before foot charge
BY CHRISTINE ARMARIO
Newsday Staff Writer
January 8, 2007, 9:36 PM EST
A high school basketball referee who was arrested during the weekend for making inappropriate comments about a young girl's feet had resigned last month, a sports organization said yesterday.
Andrew Marks, 44, of Westbury, a referee for Section VIII, Nassau's athletic association, resigned after he was ejected from Cold Spring Harbor High School on Dec. 8, Todd Heimer, executive director for Section VIII said.
Heimer said Marks resigned shortly after the incident, in which police allege he followed a 15-year-old basketball player through the school before she notified security, which escorted him out before his game started.
Yesterday, Marks' attorney, Amy Cobert Haber, confirmed that her client was arrested in May 2005 for similarly approaching young girls and asking them about their feet.
In one case, police allege that he went up to a girl walking her dog, took off her shoe and massaged her foot.
After the incidents, the Half Hollow Hills School District put out a warning to parents that stated that the man who approached the girls had asked them about modeling shoes for money, and tried to get their phone numbers.
Haber said her client was not convicted of the two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. She described him as a "nice guy" who is also her neighbor.
"I think the press is blowing this way out of proportion," she said.
Marks, of 338 Ivy Ave., could not be reached for comment.
Sgt. Edward Mulroy of the Second Precinct Crime Section said that on the afternoon of Dec. 8, Marks asked the player about her feet and her shoes.
Mulroy said the girl remembered hearing reports about a man who was arrested after talking to girls about their feet.
"She started getting intimidated," Mulroy said. "So she tried to get up and walk away."
When she did that, Marks followed her. Mulroy said that he couldn't comment on exactly what Marks said, but that it was not sexual in nature.
"He took a very deep interest in her feet and her footwear," Mulroy said. After about a monthlong investigation, Marks was arrested Saturday evening on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
Mulroy said that since the news of Marks' arrest, police have received calls reporting similar cases, but none has yet been confirmed.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Second Precinct Crime Section at 631- 854-8226.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-lifeet0109,0,4209423.story >:
BY CHRISTINE ARMARIO
Newsday Staff Writer
January 8, 2007, 9:36 PM EST
A high school basketball referee who was arrested during the weekend for making inappropriate comments about a young girl's feet had resigned last month, a sports organization said yesterday.
Andrew Marks, 44, of Westbury, a referee for Section VIII, Nassau's athletic association, resigned after he was ejected from Cold Spring Harbor High School on Dec. 8, Todd Heimer, executive director for Section VIII said.
Heimer said Marks resigned shortly after the incident, in which police allege he followed a 15-year-old basketball player through the school before she notified security, which escorted him out before his game started.
Yesterday, Marks' attorney, Amy Cobert Haber, confirmed that her client was arrested in May 2005 for similarly approaching young girls and asking them about their feet.
In one case, police allege that he went up to a girl walking her dog, took off her shoe and massaged her foot.
After the incidents, the Half Hollow Hills School District put out a warning to parents that stated that the man who approached the girls had asked them about modeling shoes for money, and tried to get their phone numbers.
Haber said her client was not convicted of the two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. She described him as a "nice guy" who is also her neighbor.
"I think the press is blowing this way out of proportion," she said.
Marks, of 338 Ivy Ave., could not be reached for comment.
Sgt. Edward Mulroy of the Second Precinct Crime Section said that on the afternoon of Dec. 8, Marks asked the player about her feet and her shoes.
Mulroy said the girl remembered hearing reports about a man who was arrested after talking to girls about their feet.
"She started getting intimidated," Mulroy said. "So she tried to get up and walk away."
When she did that, Marks followed her. Mulroy said that he couldn't comment on exactly what Marks said, but that it was not sexual in nature.
"He took a very deep interest in her feet and her footwear," Mulroy said. After about a monthlong investigation, Marks was arrested Saturday evening on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
Mulroy said that since the news of Marks' arrest, police have received calls reporting similar cases, but none has yet been confirmed.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Second Precinct Crime Section at 631- 854-8226.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-lifeet0109,0,4209423.story >: