BLYTHEWOOD – Zachary Johnson, who was sued by a Richland Two administrator in 2021, has issued an open apology to that administrator and to the Richland Two community. A lawsuit was filed against Johnson after he accused the administrator of inappropriately touching his young daughter, who was a student at the school at the time. Johnson sent the apology to The Voice, asking that it be published.
Public Statement of Apology
Dear members of the Richland Two School Board and Richland Two community: My name is Zachary Johnson.
In November 2021, I stood before you with my family and made hasty, disturbing allegations against a Richland Two administrator. I accused an assistant principal at an elementary school in Blythewood of inappropriately touching my then-six-year-old daughter. Subsequent thorough, unbiased investigations by both Richland Two and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department proved these allegations to be false.
Today, I stand before you to issue a long overdue apology to that wrongly accused administrator on behalf of myself and on behalf of my family. The allegations I made against her were categorically false. As a father desperate to protect my young child, I rushed to judgment based on a fantastical story spun by my daughter, which she told just prior to having to serve her first detention at school. I did not act rationally or reasonably when I stood before this room without allowing the investigations to run their course. I gave news interviews and encouraged others to spread my daughter’s untrue story on social media without considering the impact my words would have on the administrator if proven false, as they were.
To the wrongly accused administrator, I am deeply sorry for the false allegations that I never should have made public. I am sorry for the hate and threats you received as a result of my actions. I am sorry for the damage I have done to your career. And I am sorry for the pain and suffering you and your family have endured these last few years.
This particular administrator has served students and their families in public education for more than two decades. Her extensive, proven career record is evidence that she is and always has been a dedicated and highly decorated educator committed to the students she serves. Therefore, my wife and I would like to conclude by extending our gratitude to the administrator for her devoted and continued service to the children enrolled in Richland School District Two and beyond.
Thank you.
