Police: LI karate teacher may have been involved with other boys -

Additional charges have not been filed against James Bonfiglio, the owner of Excel Karate Academy in Ronkonkoma, who as part of his business worked with disabled and low income children through the Suffolk ...

[floored]

whoever woulda thought???

[not sure what to feel]

I really just don't know what to say. At first we said no, "It can't be", but it would appear that we are wrong. We feel very sorry for those individuals involved in this case, and for those also who may have been seen on these hidden cameras and not know it, and may now live with the doubt forever that he may have seen them. Just not sure what to feel.

[zoo keeper]

dont know who to trust

[kunf fu you jimmy]

jimmy was an instructor at empire state karate in st james many years ago and i can tell you that any of the parents, myself included would have trusted this man with their childrens lives. It just goes to show that you never really know someone or what they are capable of. Fry this guy.

[Concerned Parent]

I cant believe Im that bad of a judge of character. I would never have guessed him. He was so good with the kids at Empire State Karate. My son said nothing like that ever happened. Maybe something happened to Jim in the years since, such as drugs or a mental breakdown. This is sad for everyone involved.

[pissed off]

guilty

[What gives]

Newsday is removing all the forums about this. So everyone, make your comments quick before this one gets removed too. Something tells me Joyce Santamaria wasn't too happy with the comments about Empire State Karate - but she was Jimmys sensei and boss for 15 years and has some explaining to do. By the way, some of these forums may be found on topix.com . Thanks a lot Newsday for censoring us!!

[What gives]

Newsday is removing all the forums about this. So everyone, make your comments quick before this one gets removed too. Something tells me Joyce Santamaria wasn't too happy with the comments about Empire State Karate - but she was Jimmys sensei and boss for 15 years and has some explaining to do. By the way, some of these forums may be found on topix.com . Thanks a lot Newsday for censoring us!! What happened to the forums "Sex Accusations Rock Martial Arts Community" "A Popular Instructor" and "sex Abuse Grows.." All gone.

[i totally agree]

What gives wrote:

Newsday is removing all the forums about this. So everyone, make your comments quick before this one gets removed too. Something tells me Joyce Santamaria wasn't too happy with the comments about Empire State Karate - but she was Jimmys sensei and boss for 15 years and has some explaining to do. By the way, some of these forums may be found on topix.com . Thanks a lot Newsday for censoring us!!

she should be "fried" too. she knew all about it; it happened in esk too! argh..rot in jail the both of you..

[What gives]

i totally agree wrote:

<quoted text>
she should be "fried" too. she knew all about it; it happened in esk too! argh..rot in jail the both of you..

Uh-oh, here we go. Newsday moderators, take note. We are actually giving our opinions based on our experiences and impressions. Quick quick delete delete!!! You don't want Joyce mad at you!!! God forbid some indignant parents, outraged that there was a pedophile in our midst for 20 years, the same guy who was instrumental in building up Joyce's business, let off a little steam. You should be ashamed of yourselves, removing these forums.

[rdo]

puts a black eye on the martial arts community.Hope the victems get help

[Paul Williams III]

Yeah, why is Newsday removing these forums?

I just wanted to say TOLD YOU!!! to all the idiot parents and fellow karate instructors who came on here to defend this low-life. Where are you now?

We'll see how useful that karate is in prison for this creep. Probably not much.

[Not all bad apples]

I feel terrible for all the parents who were duped by this guy. A Sensei is given a tremendous amount of respect and trust by his/her students and their parents. It is as bad as a teacher or priest violating children. Please don't judge all martial arts schools by the few bad apples. Some warning signs to look for:

There is never a good reason to take a child into a separate room to "adjust" their gi. It can be done discreetly in public.

Never let your child go off alone with an adult. We take kids on lots of trips but there is always a group. There is no good reason for your child to be alone in Sensei's home.

There should never be a "special" group of students who are given favors and special treats. Yes, recognition should be accorded with rank, but nobody should be Sensei's pet. That is called grooming.

I, along with my child, have been a karate student for quite a few years. The martial arts can be a wonderful, life-long pursuit but like anything, be careful about the dojo you choose. Investigate the Sensei, get references, and whatever you do, if you feel uncomfortable, get out! Gut reactions are usually right.

[Whats the Sock for]

Newsday-- 1st Amendment-- Freedom of speech? Why remove old posts / forums? Lack of space? I hope not merely censorship! EKA parents -- contact others re: a new sensei --meeting 10/30/07

[Stepford Nuts]

Not all bad apples wrote:

I feel terrible for all the parents who were duped by this guy.

"Duped?" More like willingly and proudly brainwashed.

It wasn't hard AT ALL for Jimmy to get an All Access Pass to some of these kids.

Don't feel bad for them - feel bad for the children they failed.

[Stepford Nuts]

Whats the Sock for wrote:

Newsday-- 1st Amendment-- Freedom of speech? Why remove old posts / forums? Lack of space? I hope not merely censorship! EKA parents -- contact others re: a new sensei --meeting 10/30/07

I wonder if Newsday was subpoenaed by the D.A.

[Not all bad apples]

Apparently he had more than 200 students. You can't tell me they are all bad parents. You are putting the blame on the parents for something one sick man did. Place the blame where it belongs instead of bashing the parents. These families will take alot to heal. Hopefully others can learn from their mistakes.

[What were we thinking]

Not all bad apples wrote:

Apparently he had more than 200 students. You can't tell me they are all bad parents. You are putting the blame on the parents for something one sick man did. Place the blame where it belongs instead of bashing the parents. These families will take alot to heal. Hopefully others can learn from their mistakes.

You're right, the blame belongs with Jimmy. And it belongs with anyone who who was in a position of responsibility who had authority over him and had the ability to say "Hey! What's with the teen boys hanging out in your office? What's with the weekends spent with families of my students?" Unfortunately, he was my sensei and I couldn't very well go up to him and say "Hey buddy, don't you have a significant ADULT other?" But now I wish I had. Maybe if a few of us had spoken our minds he at least wouldn't have felt so enabled to do what he did for so many years. I think of the young kids training next to me and I feel like every one of us, every adult at Empire State anyway, let them down.

[NO EXCUSES]

Not all bad apples wrote:

Place the blame where it belongs instead of bashing the parents.

Of course they're not all "bad apples," but there have been more than a few of them over the years as you can see.

Those bad apples include the parents of the courageous boy who came foward. The mother was not duped and she was not fooled - getting in good with Jimmy was more important than her child's welfare.

The boy should have NEVER been alone with him for ANY reason. None of them should have been alone with them.

Thank God she took her head out of her arse long enough to realize she had to go to the police.

[Not all bad apples]

NO EXCUSES wrote:

<quoted text>
Of course they're not all "bad apples," but there have been more than a few of them over the years as you can see.
Those bad apples include the parents of the courageous boy who came foward. The mother was not duped and she was not fooled - getting in good with Jimmy was more important than her child's welfare.
The boy should have NEVER been alone with him for ANY reason. None of them should have been alone with them.
Thank God she took her head out of her arse long enough to realize she had to go to the police.

Why are you so intent on slamming the parents? Yes, there are certainly more than a few parents out there who really shouldn't have kids, but this mother listened to her son and went to the police. There were tons of people praising this guy to the skies just a couple of days ago. Obviously he did a good job of fooling alot of people. As I said before, lay the blame where it belongs - the SOB who did this. The kids and their families have enough to deal with without people making nasty comments.