Hung jury in alleged Pinellas schools bid-rigging plot

LARGO

A hung jury has led to a mistrial in the case of a Pinellas Schools official charged with racketeering in an alleged bid-rigging scheme over playground mulch purchases.

Jurors on Thursday told Alan L. Smith and his attorney Roger Futerman that they had been leaning 5-1 toward a not guilty verdict, but ultimately a decision could not be reached.

Futerman said the evidence showed Smith had not received any money from the alleged scheme, and called on the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney to drop the charges. No decision was announced.

Meanwhile, three other defendants await trial.