Brevard County District: Student can return to school after porn controversy

18-year-old says he was kicked out of school for performing in porn

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The Brevard County School District says they will allow a Cocoa High student who claims he was kicked out of school after he turned to pornography to pay his family's bills to return to the classroom.

[READ MORE: Original story on ClickOrlando.com]

Senior Robert Marucci told Local 6 Monday night he was being kicked out of school for his role in an adult film. The school district said on Tuesday that was wrong and that the investigation is over, clearing Marucci and allow him to come back to school on Wednesday.

"No child would ever be suspended for a job that they have outside of the school environment," said Michelle Irwin, a spokesperson for the district.

However, when Local 6 asked why then he was suspended, administrators said they received information that Marucci made threats, after students found pictures of his work online and started to taunt him.

"In this particular case, we had an investigation, which is now complete, and the student is welcomed to come back to talk to Dr. Sullivan about his educational options," said Irwin.

Local 6 checked with Cocoa police, they confirmed they did investigate the alleged threats but found nothing.

"If this was a credible threat, wouldn't they have taken the appropriate measures or was it just an excuse to get rid of a student they didn't like," said parent Scott Murphy.

Marucci said he never made the threats and his mother told Local 6 the principal never mentioned the threats but did mention his job.

Meanwhile, the rumor mill has been on overdrive at Cocoa High as some students protested and campaigned to ensure their classmate can graduate in May.

Marucci's mother, Melyssa Lieb, said that she believes what her son does outside of class, posing for an adult website, got him kicked out of school.

"She (Dr. Sullivan) flat out told me that my son was expelled not just suspended, he was expelled due to his explicit, adult, lifestyle career," Lieb told Local 6 Monday.

Marucci said he "did this to help my mother out economically."

Check back for more on this story.


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