Abington School Committee Chairman Regrets Magic Bra Trick

ABINGTON (CBS) - The chairman of the Abington School Committee is an amateur magician who likes to lighten up the start of meetings with some tricks.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports

But Russell Fitzgerald may have gone too far Tuesday night.

He pulled out several handkerchiefs, called Steven Shannon, Abington's Teacher of the Year, to come forward, and then called on school committee member Ellen Killian.

Fitzgerald then performed a trick that made it look like he and Shannon pulled Killian's bra off through her clothes.

Killian, who is also a teacher, won't talk about it and appeared embarrassed when approached by a local newspaper.

Fitzgerald told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Wednesday he regrets "selecting the magic trick that I did."

"Neither of them knew what the outcome of the trick would be and, obviously, I've apologized to Miss Killian for any embarrassment that I might have caused her."

Peter Schafer, the superintendent of Abington schools, released this statement to WBZ-TV Wednesday:

"The performance of the magic trick was a surprise. I know Mr. Fitzgerald regrets performing the trick and he has apologized. My focus and attention is now on pressing school department business and agenda items."

The incident appeared live on Abington's public access cable channel.

It's scheduled to be posted to their web site Thursday.