Trick or Treat: At least he wasn't trolling for children.

Principal allegedly loitered in alley

for prostitution

-in drag -

to attract...

...straight guys?

A Bardstown Catholic high school principal was cited for loitering for the purpose of prostitution while he was dressed as a woman. (Criminal citation from The Smoking Gun)

Louisville police allegedly spotted Paul A. Schum, 50, of Louisville, in an alley. At 9:20 p.m. Tuesday, officers pulled Schum over in his vehicle at 22nd Street and Plymouth Court after they had watched him hanging out in his car, said Officer Phil Russell, a police spokesman.

When asked why he was in the area, Schum gave several reasons, but none seemed legitimate, Russell said, "So [the officers] presumed that the ... reason was for prostitution purposes, Based on his clothing and some other statements he made to them."

According to the citation, he was wearing leather, fishnet stockings and fake breasts.

Russell said officers routinely patrol the area because a high level of drug trafficking and prostitution is known to take place there.

Schum is the principal at Bethlehem High School. He has degrees from Centre College, the University of Louisville and Spalding University, according to his profile on the school’s Web site. Schum previously worked for 26 years at St. Xavier High School in Louisville.

Schum denies the allegation, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Louisville, which oversees the school. The statement said he requested personal leave from his post pending the outcome of the investigation. He is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 27.

Under Kentucky law, loitering for the purpose of prostitution is a violation for the first offense, and a class B misdemeanor for subsequent offenses.

Father Bill Hammer, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Bardstown, spoke to WAVE TV (video) in Louisville on behalf of Bethlehem High. "[Schum] discussed some of the background, why he thought it was appropriate for him to take a leave at this point, and I supported his judgment in that," said Hammer. "I was caught by surprise, but again, I have confidence in Dr. Schum and his leadership skills he has demonstrated thus far," Fr. Hammer said.

When asked if that's something that sounds like Schum, Fr. Hammer said, "no it doesn't. But again, we're in the Halloween season.

But Halloween or not, parents like Jim Brooks say the news is shocking and disturbing.

"We put leaders of our schools -- particularly of schools -- we call then to a higher standard. So yeah, I would go along with that --- that he should resign if that's the case," said Brooks.

Schum is scheduled to appear in court on November 27th. The assistant principal at Bethlehem will be taking over the principal's duties.

This from the smoking gun.

This from the Courier-Journal.