O.C. principal faces lewd-conduct charge
The principal of an Orange County high school was placed on leave last week after his arrest on suspicion of lewd conduct in a public place, according to a school official and police.
Brent Bailey, 56, principal of El Modena High School in Orange, was arrested at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 27 in a public restroom near Brea Dam in Fullerton during a sting operation, said police Lt. Doug Cave. He said police regularly patrol the area because it is known as a meeting place for public sexual activity.
Cave said Bailey would be charged with a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Kimberlee Nichols, president of the Orange Unified School District board, said district officials learned Thursday of Bailey’s arrest and removed him from his job the same day, as required by the state Education Code.
She said it did not involve a school-related activity, a student or another employee. Because his leave was a personnel matter, she said she could not discuss further details.
Attempts to reach Bailey were unsuccessful Monday evening.
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