Longtime NYC principal ‘Creepy Bill’ groped 17-year-old student, staff, turned school into ‘sexual playground:’ suit

A shocking new lawsuit has been filed against William Bassell, a longtime principal at the Academy of American Studies in Queens, New York. The lawsuit alleges that Bassell, who was recently arrested for allegedly fondling two teachers, has turned the public school into a “sexual playground” where he has engaged in inappropriate behavior with female employees and even a teenage student.

The lawsuit, filed by four women including former student Khiabet Leal, accuses Bassell of a range of sexually harassing acts, including groping women’s inner thighs, asking about their sex lives, and making lewd comments about ejaculation and oral sex. The suit also claims that Bassell had a depraved interest in the sexual activities of his students, even commenting on which students he suspected of engaging in sexual acts.

One of the plaintiffs, social worker Tara Murphy, detailed an encounter where Bassell allegedly groped her, made sexual comments, and even repeated a suggestive phrase in her ear. The lawsuit alleges that when Murphy sought support from the United Federation of Teachers union, she was warned that Bassell was “Teflon Don” because nothing ever seemed to stick to him.

The lawsuit also references an anonymous Instagram account called “AAS Takes a Stand” that made similar claims against Bassell in 2020. One post on the account alleged that Bassell would call a student out of class just to touch her arms and thighs, a claim that aligns with Leal’s allegations in the lawsuit.

Despite years of complaints from employees and students, the lawsuit claims that the Department of Education (DOE) did little to address the situation, and Bassell remained employed by the city as a principal. Bassell, whose salary was over $200,000 last year, was placed on leave after his arrest in May but has not been removed from his position.

The women’s attorney, Amy Robinson, expressed frustration at the lack of action taken against Bassell, stating that he is well-protected despite the numerous allegations against him. Bassell’s next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, the first day of the new school year.

The allegations in the lawsuit paint a disturbing picture of a school principal using his position of power to engage in inappropriate and harassing behavior. City and DOE officials have not yet commented on the lawsuit, and attempts to reach Bassell for a response have been unsuccessful. It remains to be seen how this lawsuit will impact Bassell’s future at the Academy of American Studies. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented changes in our everyday lives. From social distancing measures to wearing masks in public, the way we interact with one another has been drastically altered. One of the most significant changes has been the shift to remote work for many individuals and businesses.

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