BSO Deputy Officially Cleared In Witness Tampering Case
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FT LAUDERDAL (CBSMiami) - A Broward Sheriff's deputy, who was fired two and half years ago after he was accused of tampering with a witness, felt a sense of vindication Monday.
During a court hearing Monday, all charges against Anthony Costanzo, a 12-year veteran of the sheriff's department, were officially been dismissed. Outside the courtroom, an emotional Costanzo said this ordeal has been really hard on his family and he would like to be an active law enforcement officer again - but he doesn't think that will happen.
"It's been trying for me, but especially my family. My career has been ruined at this point. I have the PBA behind me and from here, we'll figure it out," said Costanzo.
Costanzo's troubles began in January, 2012, when a woman involved in a traffic stop was found to have controlled substances in her purse which she claimed to have prescriptions for. Turns out she did and charges were later dropped.
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Costanzo drove the woman to the sheriff's substation in Oakland Park for further questioning. There she told him that she had a criminal case against two Ft. Lauderdale police officers, Billy Koepke and Brian Dodge, who she claimed falsely imprisoned her. She said he reminded her of them.
Koepke was arrested in November, 2011, after he was accused of stealing money and prescription drugs from pain clinic customers.
According to prosecutors, Costanzo considered Koepke a "buddy". Costanzo was accused of recording a conversation with the woman about Koepke's case. Prosecutors said he then sent a copy of the video to Koepke believing it would help Koepke with his criminal case.
Costanzo's arrest warrant stated he had the conversation "...with the intent of misleading her about the circumstances surrounding the criminal proceeding against Billy Koepke."
According to the arrest warrant, Costanzo removed or deleted the video in the days after he took it.
In 2013, a jury acquitted Costanzo on three criminal counts but did find him guilty on one charge. That verdict was subsequently overturned by an appeals court. Monday's hearing was to close out the case.