Fraudster principal claims gay victimisation

Published: 7:41AM Monday August 24, 2009 Source: NZPA

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  • Fraudster principal claims gay victimisation (Source: ONE News)
    Source: ONE News

A dishonest Waikato principal has complained to the Human Rights Commission, saying the school's board harrassed him for being gay.

Huntly West Primary principal Barry Bloomfield, 56, pleaded guilty in Hamilton District Court in May to fraud and theft.

He admitted obtaining $17,000 for a relief teacher who did not exist and selling his school's pool fence on TradeMe for $4600.

He was due to be sentenced last month but disputed some of the facts in the case which will be the subject of hearing set down for October 22.

Bloomfield, who was sacked after the court hearing, has now complained to the Human Rights Commission, saying he was victimised by the school for being gay.

The school board's chairman Bob Tukiri said Bloomfield claimed he was called a "poofter" and had to lock himself in his office because he was scared.

He refuted the claims, saying he had not known Bloomfield was gay while they worked together, and Bloomfield was now trying to make the school look bad.

"He took a lot of money that could have been spent on the children, on computers, sports equipment or trips. He denied us that," said Tukiri.

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