Principal Accused of Harassment and Abuse at NYC School
A New York City public school principal, known as “Creepy Bill,” is facing serious allegations of harassment against staff and has recently been hit with a lawsuit from a student who claims he groped a teacher and sent thousands of inappropriate text messages.
William Bussell, 66, allegedly coerced a female employee into enduring relentless harassment and retaliation. The federal lawsuit states he engaged in inappropriate touching, including grabbing the woman’s breasts at a school prom.
Since 2011, Bussell has reportedly sent over 30,000 suggestive messages, coming from his position at Queens’ Academy of America Study. One of the texts included a crude remark about her tongue, according to the legal filing.
Similar allegations were recently made in another federal lawsuit against him, which indicates a pattern of misconduct reported to the Department of Education for several years.
Annie Seyfara, a former public school principal and attorney, remarked on the systematic failure of the NYC Department of Education to protect female staff and students from gender-based violence and harassment. Her own past experience with a revenge porn incident led her to pursue law, aiming to challenge the educational system from the outside.
Following his arrest in May for inappropriate interactions with women, Bussell is still employed as principal, earning a substantial salary of $204,305. A new lawsuit from a teacher who worked closely with him has been filed anonymously due to his ongoing employment at Astoria High School.
While Bussell initially appeared supportive, he allegedly transformed into a control-driven, manipulative figure, according to the lawsuit. He sent daily texts to numerous women, asking them for intimate photos and comments about their bodies and personal lives.
In one instance, he is accused of groping a woman outside the 2024 prom under the guise of fixing her dress. The atmosphere created by Bussell was described as uncomfortable, with one father expressing his concerns over Bussell’s presence around students, and even the principal’s own daughter heard troubling talk from peers about him.
In a notable remark, Bussell questioned one woman about how she would react if colleagues suggested they were having an affair. The lawsuit emphasizes that Bussell commonly touched the woman inappropriately and that the harassment escalated after concerns were reported to their union.
After the complaint, Bussell allegedly intensified his harassment, leading to the victim reporting him to the police, resulting in multiple charges of sexual abuse. Bussell’s defense attorney stated that he is cooperating with the investigation, vehemently denying the accusations and stressing his lengthy commitment to education.
The Department of Education and the United Federation of Teachers have yet to comment on the unfolding situation as the case continues, with Bussell expected back in court in November.
Concerns about his behavior were amplified when a mother noted that her daughter had transferred to a different school, assuming Bussell would not return in the fall. Shocked by past allegations regarding Bussell’s inappropriate actions with a minor, one bystander expressed disbelief, highlighting the weight of the accusations against him.
