By ELGIN JONES
EJones@SFLTimes.comFORT LAUDERDALE – Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Sergeant Mitchell “Mitch” Kogod is the subject of a criminal theft investigation.
However, the Broward State Attorney’s Office is not providing any specifics or details about the case.
“I am assigned this investigation and am not going to further comment on the investigation at this time,” Assistant State Attorney David Schulson said.
But a 1963 U.S. Supreme Court ruling known as the “Brady Rule” requires prosecutors to disclose and turn over to defense attorneys information that may be favorable to an accused person. That includes an officer’s past disciplinary history and if they are the targets of any past or active criminal investigations.
A South Florida Times review of criminal cases pending in the Broward County Clerk of the Courts has turned up records confirming Kogod is under investigation for alleged theft.
“Broward Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Mitchell Kogod is the subject of an investigation regarding allegations of theft under SP12-08-074,”states a Brady Notice filed by Asst. State Attorney Bernadine Phillipe.
‘P12-08-074’ is the state attorney’s case number indicating it is being handled by the Special Prosecutions division.
The theft investigation notice is dated Aug. 21 and was filed with Broward Circuit Court Judge Mardi Levy Cohen in the case of Berry Hagan, a 39-year-old man charged with petty theft in 2011.
DETAILS
The specifics of the Kogod investigation have not been disclosed but, according to sources, the case allegedly surrounds his overtime, secondary jobs and off-duty detail assignments.
BSO uses a software program called PeopleSoft to manage its payroll system. A review of Kogod’s payroll records shows he has worked numerous secondary jobs and off-duty assignments, including providing security and escorts for the Miami Dolphins.
Fort Lauderdale attorney Stephen A. Melnick was said to be representing Kogod but that relationship has reportedly been severed. According to sources, charges could be filed against Kogod “at any time” and prosecutors may have already made a proffer, or plea offer, in the case.
Presented with this information, Melnick still refused to comment.
“I don’t know where you are getting your information but there is nothing to say that he is going to be charged,” Melnick said. “So I have no comment.”
Kogod was hired in September 1991 and worked in the Civil Division but was reassigned in March and is currently working in the Oakland Park district, where he earns an $85,030 annual salary.
*Pictured above is BSO Sgt. Mitchell Kogod.
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