Bothell teacher resigns after admitting he faked attack
Oct 10, 2016, 5:05 PM
A Bothell High School teacher told police he faked a violent attack because he was under a mountain of debt. (KIRO 7)
(KIRO 7)
The Bothell teacher who police say lied about being attacked at school has resigned. The Northshore School District said Cal Pygott plans to surrender his teaching certificate.
Prosecutors charged Pygott with false statements to a public servant and obstructing public officers.
>>Original report: Police: Bothell teacher attacked high school closed Friday
Pygott was found bleeding with a zip tie around his neck on the campus. A note nearby read, “This man is not god.”
The teacher said he has been attacked from behind while he was in his classroom.
Bothell police locked down the school and opened an investigation that kept turning up inconsistencies with Pygott’s statement. They also reviewed surveillance video.
>>RELATED: Police: Bothell High School teacher faked ‘violent attack
According to the recorded interview obtained by KIRO 7 News, Pygott thought he was going to the Bothell Police Department to go over timeline details. He was asked to take a polygraph during his visit.
After more than an hour of back-and-forth with police, Pygott finally admitted he had tied the zip tie around his neck and hurt himself with a hammer. Pygott said he did it because he was in debt.
>>RELATED: Bothell teacher says he faked attack because of debt
Police announced in August that the teacher had lied.
If convicted, he could face up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine for each charge.
