Bothell teacher could face jail time for allegedly lying about attack

BOTHELL, Wash. — Eastside attorney John Tymczyszyn was asked if what Cal Pygott did was criminal.

"Absolutely," said Tymczyszyn.  "Filing a false police report is a criminal action."

In addition to filing a false police report, "obstructing police, or making false or misleading statements to police are three charges he possibly faces," Tymczyszyn added.

Pygott's story of being attacked at Bothell High School, where he has taught for 17 years, sent shock waves. School was suspended for a day and police stepped up patrols.  When classes resumed, extra officers were assigned to help the students feel safe.

A Bothell art gallery agreed to show his artwork for free.

Pygott returned to class a week later, never losing a cent of his more than $87,000-a-year salary. 

Then, according to Bothell police, he agreed to a polygraph, or lie detector test, and the trap was set.

"You can politely decline to take statements and you can politely decline a polygraph," says Tymczyszyn, who adds he advises his clients never to take a polygraph.

"Police say things like, 'We just want to get your side of the story; we just want to hear how things happened; we just want to clear your name,' "  Tymczyszyn said. "That is almost never their objective."

Now this once-popular teacher could find himself behind bars.

"Each one of those charges are punishable by 364 days in jail,"  Tymczyszyn said. "If he was convicted of all three, he could be facing three years in jail."

Moreover, he says, Pygott could be forced to pay for the Bothell police investigation into his case.

One thing is certain: Pygott won't be back at Bothell High when classes resume in September.

He is now on paid administrative leave until the Bothell prosecutor decides whether to charge him.

Cox Media Group