Channel 4 news reported last night that Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Frank Adderley was interviewed by federal officials about Scott Rothstein Monday. Adderley told the feds that he paid for his own tickets to Dolphins games with Rothstein, including to away games, and his own meals at Bova Prime but refused to provide the documentation.
Police spokesman, Sgt. Frank Sousa, refused to answer specific questions from the Miami Herald but said "we are cooperating with the FBI."
Mayor Jack Seiler said that city officials had told him about the federal inquiry.
"I have been told that there is a federal investigation going on, not necessarily of him,'' Seiler said. "I have been told there is a federal investigation going on in which he was interviewed."
But Seiler said he didn't have details about what federal officials interviewed Adderley about.
Fort Lauderdale police officers were hired by Rothstein for 24-7 off-duty details at his home, and other shifts at the law firm and restaurant earlier this year. Seiler said he wants to re-examine the off-duty detail policy to require anyone who wants such extensive details to go higher up the chain of command for approval so that "in no way details look like a personal bodyguard."
The city's Office of Professional Standards launched a review regarding Adderley's role in appearing at a traffic accident scene where Rothstein was present as initially reported on jaablog, a courthouse gossip website.
Seiler said he has confidence in the police chief but called for the city investigation.
"He is a good law enforcement officer," Seiler said. "But you can be the greatest law enforcement officer in the world and you still have to be careful about an appearance of impropriety. I want to make sure there are no doubts in the mind of the general public when this is done."
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