This is my number one question:

Is turning a blind eye illegal?

Can they be charged with something?

I honestly don't know.
- Atomic Wedgie

I'm almost certain it's "not illegal to be witness to a crime and do nothing", that said, if you do anything to help the criminal or are in a position of power to the parties involved and do nothing once aware, then I believe you can become an accessory to the crime.

(I recently did a little research on this after reading the story about the girl getting raped on the train and witnesses did nothing. And by little research, I mean little.)

Edit: also goes state by state out here in the U.S., can be different in each.

What I don't get is why the NHL has already levied their punishment on the Blackhawks - a 2M fine, but they haven't even spoken to Q, or Cheveldayov. It seems like there is a lot more to get to the bottom of. Arizona loses draft picks - real consequences to the product for their prospect tampering, yet the Hawks get away with an inconsequential fine? Doesn't seem right.
- fifty__missions

Hoping it would go away and they wouldn't have to do any more to Q or CHev or the Hawks probably.

Now that it's in the MSM, NHL will have to step up to save face.

I believe in the report it says it was brought up during the playoff run...in the locker room. Even Sopel said this occurred, he says everyone knew. Taunts and jokes were being made apparently.
This was before training camp if I have it correct.
- Fakepartofme

Can he sue the crap out of the Hawks ?

Is that were this is going?

I'm almost certain it's "not illegal to be witness to a crime and do nothing", that said, if you do anything to help the criminal or are in a position of power to the parties involved and do nothing once aware, then I believe you can become an accessory to the crime.

(I recently did a little research on this after reading the story about the girl getting raped on the train and witnesses did nothing. And by little research, I mean little.)
- underhill14

I believe if you are asked about the crime you witnessed, you must tell the truth, or you are liable. I believe.

The reports were that Don was informed and Don said an investigation would occur and it never did.

Even if Beach falls into this grey area of being in the PA, he was on a NHL roster when this happened in the playoffs. If these people want to talk how they don't tolerate these things, then they shouldn't hide behind "technically he wasn't a union member so my hands are tied! Good luck!"

Even if Don didn't want to get involved did he talk to Bettman and force him to talk to the Blackhawks? Like this is silly to defend any inaction here. Don knew this happened, why weren't cops called on Aldrich then? Like ridiculous that this guy DID NOTHING of substance to help this situation.

Don is culpable based on the information I have.
- Aaron_85

Bear in mind that Fehr was contacted in April 2011, nearly a year after Aldrich was dismissed by the Blackhawks - he was really contacted regarding the removal of Aldrich from the US Men's Hockey Team. Now had he done something about this, perhaps the kid in Michigan wouldn't have been assaulted - so I get where you're coming from. There is no evidence that he did anything other than get Beach in touch with a therapist.

There's a whole lot of 'What the (frank) is wrong with you?' in this story.

Yes, they are accomplices. They helped this minor be sexually assaulted. I can't remember the term but I do believe you can be charged for this. Accessory to the fact? Similar to how a getaway driver is charged for just driving a car.

I think.
- Aaron_85

Was he a minor?

I believe if you are asked about the crime you witnessed, you must tell the truth, or you are liable. I believe.
- bixll

Yes. Correct. Even moreso if under oath.

But witnessing a crime and going home to bed and doing nothing if not asked about it by the law is not illegal in most states.

You're legally allowed to mind you own business. Whether you should or not sometimes is more of a morality question, I believe.

Can he sue the crap out of the Hawks ?

Is that were this is going?
- bixll

Yes. And Civil suits have a much lower bar of "proof" needed than Legal charges.

Yes. Correct. Even moreso if under oath.

But witnessing a crime and going home to bed and doing nothing if not asked about it by the law is not illegal in most states.

You're legally allowed to mind you own business. Whether you should or not sometimes is more of a morality question, I believe.
- underhill14

I think you are correct. Not sure.

At the end of the day, the moral obligation to their player far outweighs anything else.

Hawks tried to let this fade away. I hope he sues for millions

Can he sue the crap out of the Hawks ?

Is that were this is going?
- bixll

Its the states, you can sue for anything.

I hope he does sue.

Was he a minor?
- Canada Cup

Was he under 21 ? You have to be 21 to drink booze in most states.

Was he a minor?
- Canada Cup

Beach was 20 at the time I believe

I think you are correct. Not sure.

At the end of the day, the moral obligation to their player far outweighs anything else.

Hawks tried to let this fade away. I hope he sues for millions
- bixll

I think you can just plead the 5th if you want to.

Yes. Correct. Even moreso if under oath.

But witnessing a crime and going home to bed and doing nothing is not illegal in most states.

You're legally allowed to mind you own business. Whether you should or not sometimes is more of a morality questions I believe.
- underhill14

I think we’re too hung up on the crime angle. The report says they were told about unwanted sexual advances. I don’t think what really happened in the apartment which might have been criminal, he said it was non consensual, was reported to the team. The team didn’t act on the harassment charges and that’s what they’re being punished for. They’re not being punished for not acting on criminal actions.

Its the states, you can sue for anything.

I hope he does sue.
- Fakepartofme

McIssac only lives 45 minutes from me. I have met him several times at events in the area. Would never expect to hear of him involved with stuff like this. BUt, ya never know I guess.

I think you can just plead the 5th if you want to.
- Garnie

Not sure.

Did Muzzin ever get undressed last night..

Why do they pinch on every play.

I think its Accessory after the fact, if people had knowledge about the crime but tried to allow the person to avoid arrest or punishment. Which could lead to obstruction of justice. But they would have to be proven to have assisted the offender after the crime.

Now, I'm getting really close to "talking out of my @ss" territory as Im not a lawyer or anything, but I think its along these lines above.
- Fakepartofme

We are both talking out of our asses and thank you. I think you're correct.

We are both talking out of our asses and thank you. I think you're correct.
- Aaron_85

I love Al Strachan, but holy frank he's embarrassing himself on Twitter over this Blackhawks scandal.

Was he a minor?
- Canada Cup

Aldrich went on to another job backed by the hawks organization to work with minors and he assaulted one of them.

Aldrich went on to another job backed by the hawks organization to work with minors and he assaulted one of them.
- Aaron_85

Yes, he’s a piece of poop but everybody’s talking about coverup a crime and I was trying to find out if there was one.

Yes, he’s a piece of poop but everybody’s talking about coverup a crime and I was trying to find out if there was one.
- Canada Cup

This is the part that's not really clear in the report. According to Jim Gary's understanding there were threats and coercion. According to the other executives, it wasn't that stark. The report does state, "What is clear is that, after being informed of Aldrich’s alleged sexual harassment and misconduct with a player, no action was taken for three weeks."

Or in other words: Jim Gary knew that a sexual assault had occurred and he claims to have reported it as such. The others claim that it wasn't told to them that way. I think I'd likely believe Jim Gary - it was also reported that Paul Vincent felt that they should give this to the Chicago Police Department - which suggests that they knew more than just harassment had occurred.

Can he sue the crap out of the Hawks ?

Is that were this is going?
- bixll

Most likely.

Probably ends in a settlement since they pretty much admitted everything already.

Not sure.

Did Muzzin ever get undressed last night..

Why do they pinch on every play.
- bixll

I don’t know, the whole team seems to abandon the defensive part of the game…watched Bunting attack of the weak side and allow a odd man, Nylander has a chance to rub the guy on the boards tries to stick check from the weak side/behind and the guy pulls away for an odd man and scores.

Can he sue the crap out of the Hawks ?

Is that were this is going?
- bixll

Kyle Beach is already suing the Hawks.