High School Wins Charter Despite Cohen's Photo Controversy

4 months ago 03rd Jul 03:35

The Van Nuys, California school which hosted funnyman Sacha Baron Cohen'srecent risque GQ magazine photoshoot has won its bid to become a charter academy, despite objections over a decision to let the Brit pose with footballers.

Cohen - posing as his outrageous Austrian fashion journalist character Bruno - persuaded officials at Birmingham High in Van Nuys to let him stage snaps with young sports stars, and it was feared the photos could costthe school a valuable conversion to a charter institution.

We've allowed our students to be used, and not in the most glamorous circumstances, either

In one photo, which has upset Los Angeles Unified School District bosses, Cohen, wearing shoulder pads, tight red shorts, an athletic cup and little else, is snapped lying on top of a teenage player.

District official Supt. Ramon C. Cortines admits he and others were far from amused by the photospread, stating, "We've allowed our students to be used, and not in the most glamorous circumstances, either".

But, despite his concerns and those of other district school board officials, Birmingham High has been given the OK to convert itself into a charter school, beginning in August (09).