Phish’s Mike Gordon Arrested
Phish bassist Mike Gordon, 38, was arrested Monday, August 11th, on
charges of child endangerment after he was found with a
nine-year-old girl in a secluded boathouse during a show by the
Dead in Jones Beach, New York.
According to a statement released by Major Richard O’Donnell of
the New York State Park Police, Gordon was charged with a
misdemeanor count of child endangerment and trespassing. “The
arrest was the result of a complaint by the mother of a
nine-year-old girl,” reads the statement. “The mother became
concerned when she could not locate her daughter in the backstage
area.”
The uninjured child was reunited with her family shortly after
Gordon’s arrest.
According to New York’s WNBC television, Gordon told police that
he was taking “art photos” of the girl.
The girl’s father — who, along with Gordon, was an invited
guest backstage — has been identified as a leader of a Hell’s
Angels chapter. Gordon is reported to have been held by venue
security and members of the motorcycle club until police arrived,
with WNBC adding that the Angels “were not gentle with the
sensitive areas of the rock star’s body.”
A joint statement credited to Gordon and the girl’s family and
released Tuesday by Phish’s label, Elektra Records, reads, “We have
had several discussions regarding the situation that occurred at
Jones Beach. It is now clear to all involved that this was an
unfortunate misunderstanding, and we look forward to putting this
matter behind us.”
Gordon is due to appear in the First District Court of Nassau
County on September 29th to face the charges, which could result in
more than a year of jail time, according to Rick Hinshaw,
spokesperson for the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.
Hinshaw said the DA’s office could not yet comment on the specifics
of the case.
Gordon’s debut solo album, Inside In, is due August
26th on Rope a Dope Records.