Queens school leader charged with sexual misconduct, replaced following investigation
A longtime Queens high school principal was arrested for allegedly groping two female teachers in a string of disturbing incidents — and was immediately removed from his position by the city.
William Bassell, 66, founding principal of the Academy of American Studies, was taken into custody on May 27 on charges of forcible touching and five counts of third-degree sexual abuse, according to a criminal complaint obtained by The Post.
According to the complaint filed with Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz’s office, Bassell allegedly “grazed his hand” over a woman’s inner thigh “without her consent” on four separate occasions in 2023 and 2024.
Incident included physical contact near victim’s chest and neck
In another reported incident on June 6 of last year, Bassell allegedly exited his car, blocked a woman from leaving, and then “grazed his hand against her neck and her breast, over her clothes, without her consent,” the complaint states.
Both victims are teachers at the same high school, a law enforcement source said.
Principal removed, DOE investigates
Bassell has since been removed from his position, and officials from the city’s Department of Education were expected to hold an emergency meeting Monday to address the arrest.
“We do not tolerate inappropriate behavior of any kind and we take these allegations very seriously,” a DOE spokesperson said. “While we cannot comment on the specifics of this situation, we are addressing the matter urgently.”
Bassell, who previously led Long Island City High School, turned himself in to the 112th Precinct’s special victims unit.
Community stunned by charges
The married educator, once seen as a respected figure in the school system, has left some colleagues shocked by the allegations. Bassell has also been politically active in his community, including a prior run for trustee in Westchester County’s Pelham Manor village board.
