School Principal Quits in Probe of Pawned Items

A middle school principal resigned following a police investigation into allegations he attempted to pawn a school computer and other school property.

Emerson Middle School Principal Roger Frazier carried a laptop computer and a digital video disc player into a downtown shop Thursday, inquiring about pawning the two items, Bakersfield police spokesman Sgt. Bob Bivens said.

The department was called after pawnshop employees noticed the equipment was stamped with tags identifying it as property of Bakersfield City School District.

Frazier has not been arrested. He resigned Friday.

In an interview Monday with the Bakersfield Californian, Frazier described the incident as “the stupidest thing I have ever done,” but said he never intended to steal the equipment or deceive anyone.

Frazier said one of his daughters came up short on college registration money last week--and with his own cash flow depleted, he thought he might be able to get a fast loan using the property as collateral.

School district officials told police they would launch an internal investigation, including a thorough inventory of school property, Bivens said. Police continue to investigate.