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SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts — from www.masslive.com – The Melha Shriners will look into its bylaws to see what action it may take against its former potentate who has been charged with a total of 11 offenses involving child pornography and related crimes, according to the organization’s spokesman.
“I’m quite sure action is going to be taken,” Allen G. Zippin, the organization’s 1983 potentate and its public relations chair, said Friday when asked about the former official’s membership status.
Gardner A. Whitney Jr., of 19 Sunbriar Drive, Westfield, the local Shriners chapter’s 2011 potentate, or president, pleaded not guilty in Westfield District Court to four counts of possession of child pornography and seven other related charges.
The Melha Shriners last Friday afternoon released a statement pledging to take corrective action and all disciplinary measures under organization bylaws whenever there is evidence of any misconduct.
“We will not tolerate any conduct that is inappropriate and unbecoming of a Melha Shriner,” the press release states.
The organization is “saddened and deeply disappointed” by the allegations facing Whitney, according to the statement.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the alleged victims during this difficult time. We expect our members to be professional, moral and ethical in all of their interactions with children, colleagues and community members,” the press release states.
It ended with the words “We encourage members of the Melha Shriners and the community to support each other through this difficult time, and look to a more positive tomorrow.”
Shriners International is a philanthropic fraternity based on the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. It has approximately 325,000 members in 194 chapters in the United States, Canada, Germany, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Panama. Locally, it supports the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Whitney is being held at the Hampden County House of Correction in Ludlow in lieu of $25,000 cash bail or $250,000 personal surety.
When police first searched Whitney’s home, they discovered hundreds of images on electronic devices of girls from 7 to 16 years old, some posed, some thought to be taken of girls unaware, said Hampden County First Assistant District Attorney Jennifer N. Fitzgerald.
Whitney was arrested at a residence Tuesday night as the result of an investigation by Westfield and Agawam police working with state police attached to the district attorney’s office. The investigation began earlier this month, according to Fitzgerald.
Shriners International released the following statement:
Shriners International and Melha Shriners have been made aware of the situation. To our knowledge, none of the allegations relate to this individual’s membership or role in our fraternal organization. We understand that this matter is being investigated by the authorities in Springfield, Mass. and any further questions should be directed to them.
Statement issued by Al Zippin, Past Potentate, Public Relations Chairman:
“We are saddened and deeply disappointed by the allegations facing former Melha Shriner Potentate, Gardner Whitney. Our thoughts and prayers are with the alleged victims during this difficult time.We expect our members to be professional, moral and ethical in all of their interactions with children, colleagues and community members. We will not tolerate any conduct that is inappropriate and unbecoming of a Melha Shriner. We will take corrective action and all disciplinary measures under organization by-laws whenever there is evidence of any misconduct. We encourage members of the Melha Shriners and the community to support each other through this difficult time, and look to a more positive tomorrow.”