The former director of Plantation’s public works department is due in court Thursday to try to convince a Broward judge to release him after he was found guilty in a public corruption case.
Steve Rodgers headed the city agency from 2019 to 2023, when agency employees came forward with allegations that he abused his office for personal gain. The allegations included using an on-duty city employee to paint his girlfriend’s apartment and authorizing him to be paid by the city for his time.
Broward Circuit Judge Tom Coleman had Rodgers, 50, taken into custody. Defense lawyer George J. Reres of the No Limit Legal law firm said the value of the service Rodgers was convicted of receiving was about $400.
“While we disagree with the verdict, we respect the decision of the jury,” he said. “We believed the evidence presented at trial failed to establish the element of criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt … We will argue strenuously that this is not a fact pattern that warrants incarceration.”
Legal guidelines call for a 23-month incarceration. Sentencing is set for Jan. 26, but Reres is asking the judge to consider the defendant’s health in deciding to set bond until that date. According to his motion, Rodgers was recently diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer that requires medical attention.
Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-304-5256.