Arizona Principal's 'Gilbert Goons' connection sparks outcry after cozy new job offer - as top mayoral candidate is also forced to step down

Arizona parents are outraged after an elementary school principal who was ousted from her job over her stepson's alleged involvement with teen delinquents was reassigned to new role in the same district.

Former Riggss Elementary school principal Jamie Lander was put on leave in mid-February after being named in three lawsuits connected to the alleged crimes of the so-called Gilbert Goons - a group of teens accused of terrorizing wealthy Phoenix suburbs since at least 2022.

Richard Kuehner claims in his suit that he had to move his son out of the country after the high school student became the target of harassment by the Lander's stepson and the Goons.

He says he warned the Chandler Unified school district and Lander about his son receiving death threats before he was 'jumped' by Goons last summer and officials made no efforts to stop it.

Lander's stepson was arrested by Gilbert police as a suspect to the attack at an In-N-Out parking lot last summer but prosecutors dropped the case weeks later.

Former Riggss Elementary principal Jamie Lander was put on leave in mid-February after being named in three lawsuits connected to the alleged crimes of the so-called Gilbert Goons

Richard Kuehner claims in his suit that he had to move his son out of the country after the high school student became the target of harassment by Lander's stepson and the Goons

Lander's stepson was arrested by Gilbert police as a suspect to the attack at an In-N-Out parking lot last summer but prosecutors dropped the case weeks later. 

Some of the threats against his son included images of weapons, according to Kuehner's suit

While many in the community demanded Lander was fired, she was instead reassigned to Chandler's special education department, with the district claiming the decision was not disciplinary but due to distractions at her former workplace.

In another lawsuit, the principal's stepson was accused of a May 2023 attack on a 17-year-old boy in a Mesa park. The suit claims the stepson set up the attack and threatened another. 

'I'm totally not surprised because of superintendent Frank mNarducci but still very disappointed,' Kuehner told DailyMail.com on Friday.  

As previously reported, Narducci and several Chandler district officials have been accused of allowing bullies to run amok the Maricopa county schools.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Chandler school district for comment on this story. 

When reached by DailyMail.com, the Chandler Unified district cited the Maricopa County district attorney dropping the charges against Lander's stepson. 

While many in the community demanded Lander was fired, she was instead reassigned to Chandler's special education department

In a Facebook group for the East Valley community, locals reacted with disgust after leaning of Lander's reassignment

Their statement continued: 'Chandler Unified is an educational institution. A primary goal of Chandler Unified School District is to provide a quality learning environment, free of distractions. 

'The distractions at Riggs Elementary resulting from misinformation such as what you have been provided disrupted the learning environment and interfered with our priority to educate students. 

'he District reassigned Ms. Lander to the Student Services Department, where the District needs extra support. This reassignment is not disciplinary in nature. Ms. Lander is highly qualified in the area of special education.'

Lander's new gig comes as former candidate for Gilbert mayor Shane Krauser dropped out of the race after a series of scandals, including a video that showed his son engaged in a Goons attack. 

Krauser has admitted his son appears in a video filmed on July 4, which shows a group of teens taunting a couple, daring a man to take action against them.

His son is seen dropping to the ground and doing pushups as the teens mock the couple.

Former candidate for Gilbert mayor Shane Krauser dropped out of the race after a series of scandals, including a video that showed his son engaged in a Goons attack

Krauser's son is seen dropping to the ground and doing pushups as the teens mock the couple

Chandler Unified school district superintendent Frank Narducci and several Chandler district officials have been accused of allowing bullies to run amok the Maricopa county schools

Krauser has denied his son is a 'Goon' and noted that 'there was no physical confrontation' in the video, telling The Arizona Republic. 'This is kids being disrespectful.' 

In a Facebook group for the East Valley community, locals reacted with disgust after learning of Lander's reassignment.

One person said: 'Rewarding bad behavior is trending.'

Another added: 'Sure, place her in a position over the most vulnerable, sounds like a great decision'

A third person demanded: 'Write letters and make phone calls.' 

The Chandler Unified school district has been sued by some who claim their children have been harassed, seriously injured, driven out of the country and even to suicide by violent bullies allowed to run wild.

The teens' reign of violence, which allegedly included armed robberies and dozens of assaults at parties and in parking lots - several with brass knuckles - culminated with the fatal beating of Preston Lord, 16, at a Halloween party on October 28.

The Goons' reign of terror: DailyMail.com can reveal how the gang of youngsters ran amok in the Arizona town before Preston Lord's death in October

Several of the teenage murder suspects had previously been accused of assaults connected to the Goons, with some in the community saying that authorities' inaction on the teenage violent group could have led to Lord's death. 

Kuehner filed a lawsuit after his son, now living abroad, informed him of Lord's death.

'I found out about it by my son. My son told me and said, 'that could have been me,'' Kuehner told DailyMail.com.

In his lawsuit, Kuehner names school officials, Goon suspects and their parents, arguing the caretakers are also to blame for allowing their teens to terrorize the community.

'It doesn't matter if [Lord murder suspect] Talan Renner or any of these guys physically attacked my son. The fact that they're associated in the game makes them liable to it to me. It's a conspiracy,' he said.'

Kuehner is just one of dozens of parents who have spoken up against the Chandler Unified school district, as countless others remain silent for fear of retaliation against their kids. 

The teens' reign of violence, which allegedly included armed robberies and dozens of assaults at parties and in parking lots culminated with the fatal beating of Preston Lord, 16

Lord's murder suspects from top left to right: Jacob Meisner, Talan Renner, Taylor Sherman, Treston Billey, Talyn Vigil,Dominic Turner and William 'Owen' Hines

The Chandler school district is currently under several investigations, including one for alleged discrimination on their campuses and failing to act to protect students.

In one lawsuit, the parents of former Hamilton high school student Andrew Harstad claimed their son died by suicide after officials in the Chandler Unified district failed to protect him from bullying and harassment.

In another open case, a girl's parents claimed she was inappropriately touched by a teacher at Casteel High School and that Chandler officials failed to report it or properly address the girl's trauma.

There are currently at least 20 civil litigations against schools in the Chandler Unified district.

Additionally, there is a current recall effort against Chandler school board president Barbara Mozdzen.