Florida Criminal Attorney Blog

Deputies Salisia Pascoe, Kiara Walker, and Roderick Lopez, were recently arrested in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for crimes that relate to introducing contraband into the Broward County Jail and sexual misconduct with an inmate. All have been released after posting bond. Pascoe is facing two counts of using a cell phone to facilitate a felony, one count of introducing contraband into a detention facility, and one count of sexual misconduct with an inmate.

Walker and Lopez have each been charged with introduction of a cell phone into a detention facility, and official misconduct. The contraband in question allegedly included food, batteries that double as lighters, and cell phones. After a cell phone was discovered during a routine pat-down, inmates began filing reports, claiming that the deputies exchanged the items for money or to promote sexual relationships.

It should be noted that there is no expectation of privacy in a jail or prison facility. With the exception of attorney-client privileged communications over the phone or in person, every person in a jail or prison is subject to warrantless search and seizure.

For obvious reasons, especially those mentioned in this blog article, detention deputies and prison guards need to be able to search those present in their facilities.

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That's right children, its scandal time once again in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This time, Det. Albury Augustus Burrrows, of the Broward Sheriff's Office, was arrested for grand theft charges. Even though these charges are felony offenses, Det. Burrows was released on a $1,000.00 bond.

(Photo Courtesy, Sun-Sentinel.com and the Broward Sheriff's Office)

It is important to emphasize, that like the people he arrested for the past 11 years, Det. Burrows is innocent until proven guilty.

However, I am not surprised to learn that yet another BSO deputy has been arrested for a felony offense, especially one that involves moral turpitude. For some reason, this county routinely turns a blind eye to the rampant corruption that occurs on a daily basis in our police departments. Unless of course a cop is caught red handed or the corruption is so obvious that even when you turn your cheek, it is still staring you right in the eyes.

Of course, as a criminal defense lawyer, I have the benefit of seeing both sides of a case.

While there are plenty of cops who pocket cash from people they arrest and there are plenty of cops who create violent situations that quickly turn into arrests for battery on a police officer (don't you love how that works?) and there are cops who routinely force hookers to perform oral sex on them in exchange for not placing them under arrest, the most common form of police corruption is done with a pen. "Creative report writing" is the singularly most common form of police misconduct around.

Now I know what you are thinking: big deal.

Continue reading "Det. Albury Burrrows Arrested for Grand Theft in Fort Lauderdale, Florida" »

Broward School Board Member Stephanie Kraft, 54, was arrested in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for charges relating to alleged corruption. Arrested with her was her husband, Mitch Kraft, age 58. Both were released on bond late Monday.

The Krafts are the latest targets of a public corruption sweep being conducted by the Broward State Attorney's Office. They are also the most recent targets created by the recent prosecution of Bruce and Shawn Chait.

In essence, the prosecution's case comes down to the claim that the Krafts took advantage of Stephanie's political position as a School Board member for personal financial gain. For their alleged illegal conduct, both are facing charges for unlawful compensation, bribery, and conspiracy to commit unlawful compensation. Stephanie is also charged with official misconduct since she was a public officer.

According to news reports, the Krafts are accused of illegally helping Bruce and Shawn Chait save approximately $500,000 in fees relating to the development of 700 homes in Broward County. Specifically, the fees in question are called "mitigation fees," which are assessed to compensate the School Board for the added cost of educating the mass of new students created when a developer builds a new community.

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The mayor of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, Patricia Christensen, was arrested this week on charges that stem from alleged misappropriation of campaign contributions and falsification of campaign treasurer reports. Following her arrest, Mrs. Christensen was released on a $3,000 bond. She has also resigned her position as mayor of Port Saint Lucie.

According to news reports, Christensen paid herself approximately $3,800 from her campaign contributions. These funds were allegedly deposited in her personal account from her campaign account. This revelation came to light following an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement which began in October 2009.

Clearly, Christensen is in a position where she would benefit greatly by hiring a skilled criminal defense lawyer.

Christensen's first mistake was allowing her husband to act as her campaign treasurer. She should have retained the services of a professional who knows what he or she is doing. For some reason, many candidates think running for office is a family affair. Just because your spouse is trustworthy and is motivated to see you succeed, does not mean he or she is qualified to be an executive officer in your campaign.

The job of a treasurer is one of the most important functions in any campaign. To avoid the many pitfalls inherent to campaign finance, the treasurer's job is tedious and requires a level of professionalism that is above and beyond par.

Loving the candidate isn't enough.

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Surprise! Surprise! Yet another Broward politician is arrested on public corruption charges in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This time, it is Tamarac city commissioner Patricia "Patte" Atkins-Grad. According to the Broward County State Attorney's Office spokesperson, Atkins-Grad is facing eight felony charges in total: one count of conspiracy to commit unlawful compensation, two counts of unlawful compensation, two counts of bribery, three counts of official misconduct. Atkins-Grad is facing a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison as a result.

Following her arrest, she was released on bond while her case remains pending.

Atkins-Grad is accused of accepting $6,300 from Shawn and Bruce Chait to pay for her campaign victory party and a new lease on a BMW 525i. In exchange for the money, Atkins-Grad is accused of voting for the Chait's real-estate projects while she served as a city commissioner.

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