Michelle Spence-Jones, the former city commissioner acquitted in March of bribery, now seems free to return to office after prosecutors dropped the final grand theft charge this afternoon.
It's a remarkable turn-around for Spence-Jones, who was arrested in November 2009 just days after her re-election to District 5. It's also a black eye for Katherine Fernandez Rundle, although the state attorney was adamant that her office was right to indict the politician.
"I continue to have the same faith in the basis for filing this case as I had when it was filed," Rundle said in a statement. "Unfortunately, as happens on occasion in the Criminal Justice system, circumstances developed during the pendency of the case that resulted in this decision."
City charter permits Spence-Jones to return to office now that all charges have been dropped. She could even collect back salary and benefits for the two years she's been under investigation.
Her return to office would also mean curtains for Miami Commissioner Richard P. Dunn II, who took over after Spence-Jones's removal.
Bye-bye Rev!
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