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09-17-2009, 12:18 AM
Federal investigators are looking into two veteran Cape Coral police officers. After digging into their past, we uncovered the officers have a history of doing business together, and are both facing financial turmoil.

Court documents show money troubles are piling up for the Cape Police Chief Rob Petrovich's son Stephen Petrovich and his wife Denise.

Several credit companies allege Stephen Petrovich neglected to pay nearly $30,000 in credit bills since 2005.

And most recently, the couple faced bankruptcy, filing for Chapter 13 in August of last year.

Documents we found reveal the couple was forced to foreclose on two homes they own - homes worth a total of nearly $1-million.

According to records, the couple purchased a four bedroom, two bath Cape Coral home on a canal in 2007. They paid $725,000, but still owe more than $650,000.

Records also show they bought a three bedroom, two bathroom home in Cape Coral that they still owe $283,000 on.

That home is listed as their primary residence, but a neighbor said the Petrovich family moved out more than a year ago and have been renting it ever since.

While the United States Secret Service remains tight lipped as to why they're looking at Officer Petrovich and Sergeant James O'Brien, the agency investigates financial issues.

O'Brien's bankruptcy attorney confirmed that he filed for bankruptcy in June of last year. He too, was forced to surrender multiple homes.

Both Petrovich and O'Brien are listed as officers for two companies. One company is no longer active.

The other, Tactical Protection and Investigation, Inc, offers courses in obtaining a concealed weapons permit. It is based out of O'Brien's home.

09-17-2009, 12:34 AM
This really puzzled me when I saw CCPD attached to this investigation. You guys are one of the highest paid departments in SWFL! Why couldn't these guys manage their money? Aren't you guys the only agency in SWFL that require a 2 year degree?? Did these guys have credit issues when they got hired?? If CCPD would do some sort of credit history check/background investigation on its officers every 5 years, they could have caught this. I'm not saying these officers are guilty but financial diffilculties often lead to corruption in the LE field. Were there any red flags?? Does your department offer off duty detail?

09-17-2009, 10:46 PM
Sorry, no amount of $$$ can buy you morals or common sense.

09-18-2009, 02:29 AM
You can't fix stupid!

09-19-2009, 03:30 AM
You can't fix stupid!

But you apparently can cover it up a lot if your dad is the chief.

09-19-2009, 06:13 AM
Sad thing is he doesn't even need daddy being chief to get away with this stuff. As someone else so eloquently said...


Come on, incompetence and looking the other way is rampant in the Cape Coral Police Department. It's the glue that keeps it all together.

http://forums.leoaffairs.com/viewtopic.php?f=252&t=85734&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=15#p548022