The case against a baseball coach accused of having sex with a teenage girl is affecting more than just the alleged victim.
A baseball team in Lackawanna County is scrambling now to come up with money for a trip after their coach was jailed on child sex charges and a real estate company where the suspect worked is in on the investigation.
Now that Phil Godlewski is in jail on statutory rape charges, Taylor's American Legion baseball team is out thousands of dollars.
Assistant coach A.J. Meranti said the team is now scrambling. The team of 15 to 18 year olds leaves for a tournament in Myrtle Beach this Friday and they've had less than a week to raise the money all over again through a weekend collection.
"His account's on lock now, because it's all under his name, so what we're trying to do is raise our own money," Meranti explained.
Godlewski, 27, was their head coach. He was arrested on Friday, accused of having a sexual relationship with a teenage girl.
Investigators said the two met when the girl was 14. She is now 16 years old.
Godlewski is locked up on $250,000 bail.
Because he is in jail, the team cannot access his bank account or the cash for the trip.
"We only need about a $1,000 more to make this a full success," Meranti added.
The investigation now turns to real estate. Prosecutors said Godlewski was a real estate agent and used several empty homes to have sex with the girl.
"We are currently looking into different locations that were allegedly used that were not owned by him," said Assistant District Attorney Gene Talerico.
Authorities said Godlewski worked for two different realtors, George Semian Real Estate and before that, Lewith and Freeman Real Estate. Investigators said they still don't know which homes were involved.
George Semian said Godlewski did not commit any crimes in the houses he showed since he was hired in January.
Calls to Lewith and Freeman Real Estate have not been returned.
Meanwhile, the baseball players are having one final coin drop Wednesday night at Main and Union streets in Taylor. The assistant coach said it is their final push to raise the last of the money before they head to Myrtle Beach on Friday.
Donations to help the team are being accepted. Donations can be sent to: The Taylor Veterans Camp Home Association, 208-210 South Main Avenue, Taylor, PA 18517. Checks should be designated for the baseball team.
A baseball team in Lackawanna County is scrambling now to come up with money for a trip after their coach was jailed on child sex charges and a real estate company where the suspect worked is in on the investigation.
Now that Phil Godlewski is in jail on statutory rape charges, Taylor's American Legion baseball team is out thousands of dollars.
Assistant coach A.J. Meranti said the team is now scrambling. The team of 15 to 18 year olds leaves for a tournament in Myrtle Beach this Friday and they've had less than a week to raise the money all over again through a weekend collection.
"His account's on lock now, because it's all under his name, so what we're trying to do is raise our own money," Meranti explained.
Godlewski, 27, was their head coach. He was arrested on Friday, accused of having a sexual relationship with a teenage girl.
Investigators said the two met when the girl was 14. She is now 16 years old.
Godlewski is locked up on $250,000 bail.
Because he is in jail, the team cannot access his bank account or the cash for the trip.
"We only need about a $1,000 more to make this a full success," Meranti added.
The investigation now turns to real estate. Prosecutors said Godlewski was a real estate agent and used several empty homes to have sex with the girl.
"We are currently looking into different locations that were allegedly used that were not owned by him," said Assistant District Attorney Gene Talerico.
Authorities said Godlewski worked for two different realtors, George Semian Real Estate and before that, Lewith and Freeman Real Estate. Investigators said they still don't know which homes were involved.
George Semian said Godlewski did not commit any crimes in the houses he showed since he was hired in January.
Calls to Lewith and Freeman Real Estate have not been returned.
Meanwhile, the baseball players are having one final coin drop Wednesday night at Main and Union streets in Taylor. The assistant coach said it is their final push to raise the last of the money before they head to Myrtle Beach on Friday.
Donations to help the team are being accepted. Donations can be sent to: The Taylor Veterans Camp Home Association, 208-210 South Main Avenue, Taylor, PA 18517. Checks should be designated for the baseball team.
