The former director of Plantation\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s apartment and authorizing him to be paid by the city for his time.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we disagree with the verdict, we respect the decision of the jury,\u201d he said. \u201cWe believed the evidence presented at trial failed to establish the element of criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt \u2026 We will argue strenuously that this is not a fact pattern that warrants incarceration.\u201d<\/p>\n
Legal guidelines call for a 23-month incarceration. Sentencing is set for Jan. 26, but Reres is asking the judge to consider the defendant\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n