LA Removes School Officials over Handling of Sexual Misconduct

Complaints were not passed along to authorities

Two senior administrators and two principals have been removed from their jobs pending the completion of an investigation into how they handled sexual misconduct allegations against a teacher at a Wilmington school, district officials told The Times.

Those placed on paid leave are Linda Del Cueto, the senior instructional administrator in the San Fernando Valley; Mike Romero, head of the adult education division; David Kooper, principal at Gulf Elementary in Wilmington; and Valerie Moses, principal at Los Angeles Elementary in Harvard Heights.

The district confirmed that the administrators were removed from their positions Friday, but would not comment on the reason. High-level district officials, however, confirmed that the action was taken as part of the district's inquiry into the handling of allegations against Robert Pimentel, a teacher at De La Torre Elementary.