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Pleasanton High School Principal Resigns After Probe Finds Grindr Messages to Students

The district will report the findings to the state credentialing commission for potential disciplinary review.

Overview

  • The Pleasanton Unified investigation, led by a neutral third party, concluded Jonathan M. Fey used a Grindr account called "eyes emoji" to send sexually suggestive messages to a former and a current student.
  • Screenshots in the district’s published report include lines such as "there's a part of me that would love a secret school tryst" and compliments describing a student as "hella hot."
  • Fey denied wrongdoing and asserted his identity was stolen; Pleasanton Police reviewed his claim and said no criminal report was filed and no arrests were made, referring the matter back to the district.
  • After being placed on leave and notified on Feb. 28 he would be fired, Fey appealed, then accepted a $254,000 settlement covering legal fees and back pay before resigning.
  • The district released the investigative file in response to public records requests and said it will notify the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing as required by law.