Principal in Gay Hate Crime Case to Be Reassigned

The principal of a San Fernando Valley vocational center has been placed on administrative leave from his post after being accused of committing hate crimes against his gay neighbors, Los Angeles Unified School District authorities said Tuesday.

Donald R. Gaskin, who heads the North Valley Occupational Center, was arrested Thursday on 11 misdemeanor charges including civil rights violations, petty theft and vandalism for incidents that allegedly occurred between January and May in the Santa Clarita neighborhood of Princess Park.

Gaskin was released from Los Angeles County Jail on Friday on $100,000 bail.

Prosecutors said sheriff’s deputies have been investigating whether Gaskin, 48, was harassing a gay couple since March 2001. He has been accused of stealing their sprinklers and their mail, authorities said.

Gaskin has been principal of the district’s adult education center in Mission Hills since 1993. He will be temporarily assigned elsewhere in the district, pending the outcome of the case, a district spokeswoman said. Gaskin could not be reached for comment Tuesday.