The criminal perjury prosecution against former Broward Schools Superintendent, Jamaica-born Robert Runcie, whose tenure includes the Parkland school shooting, has been dropped.
According to Runcie’s lawyer, Mike Dutko, Broward Circuit Judge Martin Fein made his decision to dismiss the case against Runcie public on Tuesday.
Reports state that records reveal that Fein concurred with Dutko’s contention that the grand jury lacked the power to indict Runcie.
Two years ago, Runcie was apprehended by Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents on suspicion of lying to a state grand jury while giving testimony under oath between March 31 and April 1.
When Runcie was accused of lying about conversations he had on March 29 with witnesses in a public corruption case, the state grand jury was looking into the 2018 Valentine’s Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Reports are that the case involved Anthony “Tony” Hunter, the BCPS former chief information officer. He was arrested on January 12, 2021, and accused of “rigging the process of awarding piggyback purchase contracts” to steer business to a generous friend.
During his speech after his arrest, Runcie said that he is confident that he will be vindicated.
According to reports, he resigned before his arraignment with a mutual separation agreement worth $754,900, despite having two more years left on his contract.
The former South Florida school superintendent’s last day on the job was August 10, 2021.
His arrest angered many in South Florida’s Caribbean community.
Runcie who hails from Trelawny, Jamaica was recognized as Superintendent of the Year for 2015 by the Florida Association of Districts Superintendents. He was also honored for his outstanding focus and commitment to the success of students.
