Countywide : Teacher Admits 4 Molestation Charges

By CAROL WATSON

May 23, 1990 12 AM PT

A Camarillo High School drama teacher who hugged his female students and made sexual comments to them pleaded guilty Tuesday to misdemeanor child molestation charges.

William H. Fisher, 42, who previously quit a job in Orange County after allegedly having an affair with a student, admitted guilt in Ventura County Municipal Court on four of nine charges, each of which could bring a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. He was released on his own recognizance pending sentencing on June 25.

For the record:

12:00 a.m. May 24, 1990 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday May 24, 1990 Ventura County Edition Metro Part B Page 3 Column 6 No Desk 2 inches; 41 words Type of Material: Correction
Molestation case--In an article Wednesday, The Times incorrectly reported that the district attorney’s office has recommended probation for William Fisher, who has pleaded guilty to child molestation charges. The district attorney’s office has not recommended probation for Fisher.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Kathleen O’Brien said she will drop the five remaining charges and recommend probation instead of jail time if Fisher does not change his plea.

Camarillo High School hired Fisher in 1987, but suspended him after his arrest on Nov. 17. The arrest came after nine girls complained to investigators about sexual remarks made by Fisher.

“He did hug them, but he did hug both male and female students,” O’Brien said. She said he never touched the women in sensitive areas, but made insinuating remarks about them.

O’Brien said Fisher quit a teaching job in Irvine in 1983 after he had an affair with a 14-year-old student, and then paid for her abortion after she became pregnant.

O’Brien said Fisher left Irvine after the girl’s father caught them together.

Irvine school district officials agreed not to press charges on the condition that Fisher resign.