Sheriff's investigator convicted Thursday of extorting doctor also targeted lawyer, prosecutor says
When a married South Florida physician complained to law enforcement about a woman who had threatened to reveal their sexual encounter if he didn’t pay her $7,000, they discovered she was a part of their own team.
Debbie O’Flaherty-Lewis, who was convicted Thursday of extortion, was working as a child investigative supervisor for the Broward Sheriff’s Office at the time of the crime. She was suspended without pay after her August 2013 arrest.
Prosecutor Patyl Oflazian said the defendant used her department-issued cellphone and computer to obtain the doctor’s personal information, according to the Sun Sentinel. A WPLG article provides more details.
A search of O’Flaherty-Lewis’ vehicle unearthed emails and letters showed she targeted a lawyer in a similar scheme, intending to seek $15,000, Oflazian said. However, she was not criminally charged in that matter, and the article doesn’t say whether the prosecutor even contends that she contacted the attorney.
The defense said O’Flaherty-Lewis accepted money from the doctor as a gift.
She faces up to 15 years when she is sentenced next month.
