Teacher to take voluntary leave

A Sunny Hills High School teacher believed to have been framed on drug and gun allegations earlier this week said Friday that he will go on a voluntary administrative leave until the end of the school year and return in the fall.

“Things are just going to be too crazy at the school now,” said Gregory Abbott, 31, of Placentia.

He said the Fullerton Joint Union High School District gave him the option to take the administrative leave until early June. He received word from Assistant Supt. Doug Kimberly and two principals Friday.

Abbott was arrested earlier this week after police discovered an unloaded gun, about a gram of marijuana and other prescription drugs marked for sale in his car. Authorities responded to a tip from an anonymous caller saying he purchased drugs from the history teacher.

Police are conducting a criminal investigation focusing on who framed Abbott and are looking into Abbott’s estranged wife and her male friend as “persons of interest.”

-- Nardine Saad