College Trustee Arrested In Fort Worth

Robyn Medina Winnett has been an elected trustee of Tarrant County Community College (TCCC) since 1996. She is also an employee of the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD).

Last June 25th, Ms. Winnett was arrested for shoplifting between $50-$500 (a class B misdeanor carrying a fine of up to $2000 and up to six months in jail). A store employee at Dillards noticed a couple of empty hangers after Winnett left the dressing room, and notified store security. Ms. Winnett was stopped after exiting the store, and some clothing from Dillard's was found in a shopping bag from Marshall's.

The story is just now becoming public, because at the time of her arrest she gave a false name. She told police she was Irene Winnett. But college officials now admit that trustee Robyn Winnett was the person arrested.

Strangely, Ms. Winnett has a better chance of losing her job that her elected position. She is an at-will employee at FWISD and could be fired for the arrest. But her elected position at TCCC can only be terminated for "a conviction of a trustee by a jury for any felony or for misdemeanor official misconduct". A misdemeanor theft doesn't seem to fit the definition.

Now I believe in forgiveness for misdemeanor offenders, especially after they have paid their fine or served their time. But I think elected officials (on any level) should be held to a higher standard. And this is not a simple traffic ticket -- it is theft of someone else's property! Maybe someone should take a closer look at any expense reports she has turned in to the college.

Personally, I think Ms. Winnett should resign her elected position with TCCC. Although a misdemeanor, theft is a fairly serious charge for an elected official (as is lying to police to hide your identity).