Compton : Board Backs Schools Chief in Denying Sex Game

Trustees of the Compton Unified School District adopted a statement Tuesday saying they found groundless charges made by an elementary school principal that she was harassed and denied promotions by Supt. Ted Kimbrough because she complained that he tried to force her into playing a sex game in which administrators took turns hiding a $20 bill on their bodies.

The trustees said they investigated and found that Kimbrough was not involved in “inappropriate activities” and that eyewitnesses do not “support” the charges made by Naomi C. Ferns, principal of Laurel Street Elementary School. Five trustees supported the statement. Sam Littleton abstained. John Steward voted no, saying trustees had no legal authority to conduct an investigation.

Kimbrough acknowledged Tuesday that he participated in a game but said it was not sexual in nature, that it took place in a public restaurant and disco after the retreat, and that he never grabbed Ferns from a chair and tried to make her play the game. Kimbrough also said that to his recollection Ferns was not even present at the gathering.

Last month, Ferns filed the harassment charges with the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing and also filed suit against Kimbrough in Santa Monica Superior Court claiming personal injury, mental suffering, false imprisonment, battery and assault.