Teacher in center of sex scandal denies charges
LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. (WABC) -- Hgh school principal Annie Seifullah is fighting for her job and her reputation.
"You can ask any person who knows me and who works with me," said Seifullah. "This job is my life."
Until last week, she was principal of the Robert F. Wagner School for Technology and the Arts in Long Island City.
The city Department of Education has placed her on administrative duty, away from the school, while it investigates allegations that she had sex with staff members inside the school.
She denies the accusations. "Never. I never had sex inside the school with any person," she said.
She is also being investigated for allegedly using DOE laptop computers to store sexually suggestive photos of herself, following published reports about those allegations.
"I don't think any person can understand how devastating it is to open the paper and realize your privacy has been violated," she said.
The allegations came after Seifullah's now ex-boyfriend turned over what is described as evidence to the DOE. He is the father of one of Seifullah's students.
When asked how she could as a professional become involved with the parent of one of your students, she said "I realize now that was a mistake."
Her ex-boyfriend wants to remain anonymous, but said in a statement, "I have every confidence in the D.O.E. investigators involved with this case. The agency would not have reassigned Ms. Seifullah unless the allegations had merit."
Attorney Peter Gleason represents Seifullah. "I think the Department of Education wants political expedience rather than get to the truth of the matter," said Gleason.
