Updated 05/04/2009 07:38 PM
High School Music Director Accused Of Relationship With Student
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The man who ran the Brooklyn Steppers, the famed high school group that performed at the presidential inauguration, has been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a member of the group.
A spokesperson for The Department of Education says nearly 3,000 text messages were sent between 31-year-old Tyrone Brown and a 17-year-old band member.
Richard Condon, the special commissioner of investigation for city schools, says his office was informed about the relationship from the student's principal last June.
The student, other band members and Brown, were all interviewed.
Brown will not face charges.
"There's no criminal acts alleged here. First of all, we don't allege a sexual relationship although some people said there was a sexual relationship, we don't allege that. And the girl was 17 during the time that we looked at so even if there was a sexual relationship it wouldn't be a crime," said Condon.
Education officials say Brown, who was interviewed by NY1 prior to the inauguration, resigned last month.
The special investigator has asked that the resignation be made permanent.
The Department of Education has placed Brown on the ineligible list, meaning he cannot be in contact with any DOE students.
The DOE says it is working with the Brooklyn Steppers to continue the program without him.
NY1 has reached out to Brown for a comment but he has not responded. However, in an interview with the New York Daily News, Brown denied the charges.