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Home BSO deputy under investigation on allegations of battery and falsifying reports
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By Ihosvani Rodriguez, Sun Sentinel

6:24 p.m. EDT, July 13, 2012
A Broward Sheriff's deputy is under investigation on allegations of battery and falsifying official reports, putting at least one routine drug case in jeopardy.

Deputy Patrick Keegan, a ten-year veteran with the force, was in court on Friday as part of a drug case he worked on in August. Through his attorney, he invoked his right not to testify in the case because of the ongoing investigation.

Officials with the Broward State Attorney's Office confirmed that the sheriff's department conducted an internal investigation and then forwarded the case for prosecution. Both agencies declined to release any details, citing an ongoing investigation.

In January, officials reassigned Keegan to distractive duties as the investigation continues, said department spokeswoman Dani Moschella.

Keegan's attorney, Alberto Milian, said he knows little about the investigation, adding that many of allegations against law enforcement officers are often unfounded.

The investigation came to light late Friday in the case against Andre Landers, 49, of Lauderhill who is facing one charge of cocaine delivery. Keegan was one of the deputies in the undercover bust.

Defense attorney Norliza Batts is trying to official incident reports tossed out as evidence, pointing to how she says Keegan's report differs widely from that of a second deputy on the August 26 case.

"We have reports that are diametrically opposed," Batts said.

Batts said Keegan's credibility should be questioned, given the internal investigation.

The second deputy, Roger Good, was on vacation and couldn't testify on Friday. Broward County Circuit Judge Sandra Perlman reset the matter for July 25.

Prosecutors on Friday said they believe Keegan is a witness in "several dozen cases." Spokesman Ron Ishoy stated that his office was not in a position to say how many of those cases would be in jeopardy because of Keegan's involvement.

"Each case rises and falls on the totality of the evidence, not just on one deputy's testimony," Ishoy said.

Where do you see off to jail you moron. TyPical pos s---- starter!

What is a "distractive duty" as quoted by Moschella?