Broward sheriff furious at release of surveillance video

February 5, 2010 @ 11:40PM

Broward sheriff furious at release of surveillance video

By Carlos Miller -...

Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti claims he was “blindsided” when a public defender released a surveillance video that appears to show a pair of deputies beating a homeless man.

The video, which was released to WSVN and can be seen here, is grainy and does not show much detail.

But it shows enough to put Lamberti on the defensive.

“I know it’s his job to defend the people that he represents, but it’s also my job to investigate or to make sure that deputies are acting appropriately. I can’t do that if I’m going to get blind-sided or a surprised attack with something like this,” sheriff Al Lamberti said.

The truth is, it was most likely Gerald McGovern, the homeless man, who was blindsided in a surprise attack, even though the arrest report indicates the contrary.

An independent witness also contradicted the arrest report.

A witness, Roberto Aguilara backs up McGoverns claim. “They come on top of him to beat, and they kept hitting and hitting and hitting. I think it’s a long time, around two minutes,” said Aguilara.

McGovern, who has been arrested more than 69 times, is asking to be released from jail without bond because he is unable to pay the $1,500. The judge has yet to make a decision.

Comments

Anonymous

2 years ago

How exactly does the release of the video stop Sheriff Lamberti in his quest “to investigate or to make sure that deputies are acting appropriately”?

Anonymous

2 years ago

@Jay,

Because sweeping it under the rug or red taping it to death is no longer an option nos that the media and public are wathing. He may have to do a real investigation…

Anonymous

2 years ago

“I can’t do that if I’m going to get blind-sided or a surprised attack with something like this,”

I pretty sure Mr. McGoverns didn’t appreciate the ‘surprise attack’ at the hands of his deputies either.

Welcome to a free press Sheriff!!!
Workingindust´s last blog ..USAF MH-60A

Anonymous

2 years ago

So what was the attorney supposed to do? Politely hand over the originals, apologize for any inconvenience, then have his client lead guilty so as not to offend Lamberti?

Dee dee dee!

Anonymous

2 years ago

If you don’t want to ‘blindsided’ maybe the sheriff dep. should have done some investigative work, which would have uncovered the video and witness.

I think the witness is more damning to the LEOs. I couldn’t tell much from the video, but when you have an eyewitness to explain what’s going on in the video it’s much more convincing.

Anonymous

1 year ago

I have extablished a rule over the years. When it
comes to police officers, If they have not been given a lie detector test prior to giving testimony aganst a person, the chances are they are lying.
Chances are they are stealing more from the public than any crook will ever do. This is uaually done by false time sheets, and taking cars home at tax payers expense, a no no.