Case Dropped Against Principal Arrested While In Drag

After an extensive public shaming over his arrest while cross-dressing, and a thin suggestion by the Catholic officials that it may have been a halloween costume, Bardstown principal Paul Schum resigned his position. Now his case has been dropped by the Jefferson County Attorney's office for lack of evidence.

This from WKYT.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Prosecutors have dropped the case against a former Catholic high school principal who was charged with loitering for the purpose of prostitution.

Jefferson County Attorney's Office spokesman Bill Patteson told The Courier-Journal that prosecutors felt the evidence against 50-year-old Paul Schum of Louisville wasn't strong enoughto take to trial.

Louisville police issued a citation against Schum on the night before Halloween after allegedly observing him dressed as a woman hanging around an alley in his car. The neighborhood where he was observed is known for drug trafficking and prostitution.

Police records indicate Schum was wearing an all black leather outfit with fishnet stockings and a pair of fake women's breasts.

Schum resigns Bethlehem Higth

The Bethlehem High School principal who pleaded not guilty in Jefferson District Court to charges of loitering with the intent to prostitute has resigned.

Dr. Paul Schum’s resignation was accepted by the Bethlehem High School Board Thursday.

According to a press release issued by the Board, Schum’s decision to resign was “motivated by his concern for the school and with the best interests of the students, faculty, and staff in mind.”

He also needs time to “address his situation” and be with his family, according to the press release.

Schum, 50, had been Bethlehem’s principal since 2005.

The incident surrounding Schum’s resignation began around 9:20 p.m. Oct. 30, when he was stopped by Louisville Metro Police officers in an alley in the Russell neighborhood in the west end of Louisville. Officers frequently patrol the area because of its reputation for illegal narcotics and prostitution, said Louisville Metro Police Det. Phil Russell.When Schum was pulled over, according to police, he was dressed in an all-black leather outfit and fishnet stockings. He was wearing fake breasts and a blond wig.

...Schum was represented in Jefferson District Court Nov. 27 by his attorney David Lambertus who entered a not guilty plea for Schum to the citation. The citation is a violation only on the first offense and becomes a Class B misdemeanor for subsequent offenses. Another court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 20. Schum has proclaimed his innocence since the beginning, issuing a statement through the Archdiocese of Louisville, which oversees Bethlehem. He has the option of fighting the citation in court and going to trial.

In the press release concerning Schum’s resignation, the Bethlehem Board asked for prayer for him, his family and “the entire Bethlehem community.” “Dr. Schum’s hard work and commitment to Bethlehem High School are appreciated,” the Board wrote.

This from the Kentucky Standard.

WAVE TV Posts Police Video of Bethlehem Principal arrest

LOUISVILLE (WAVE) -- WAVE 3 has obtained video of a Nelson County catholic high school principal dressed as a woman being pulled over by police. Officers cited 50 year old Paul Schum for loitering with the intent of prostitution.

Schum was pulled over on the night of October 30th after Louisville Metro Police spotted him in a Portland alley.

On the tape, you can hear police ask Schum if he has any weapons or drugs in the car. They also ask why he is in a part of town known for high crime.

Schum has taken a personal leave of absence from Bethlehem High School in Bardstown. He denies the allegations.

WAVE 3 News obtained the video after an open records request was made to Louisville Metro Police.

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.