No evidence, no charges

Fired Sheriff’s Office manager had been accused of stealing

A Broward Sheriff’s Office employee who was fired after she was accused of stealing from her job has been cleared by prosecutors who found no evidence she did anything wrong.

Jennifer Bakowski, who was the human resources manager for the Sheriff’s Office until late last year, was accused of stealing an undisclosed amount of money and suspended without pay last November. Shewas fired a month later.

The Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is still ongoing, but on Tuesday defense lawyer Fred Haddad released a memo from the Broward State Attorney’s Office clearing Bakowski of any wrongdoing. According to that document, the Sheriff’s Office investigation was completed in June, at the latest.

The memo, dated June19, 2013, was written by prosecutor Deborah Zimet, who said investigators pored over financial records, documents from Bakowski’s office and Bakowski’s personal bank records.

“This cause should be closed and no charges should be filed,” Zimet wrote. “There isno evidence to support any charges.”

Bakowski, who has always maintained her innocence, said she feels vindicated.

“This has been devastating for more than a year now,” said Bakowski, who spent 13 years working for the Sheriff’s Office. On top of losing her $ 98,592- a- year job, she’s been confronted at her daughter’s soccer games and barred from participating in some school activities, Bakowski said. She’s also had trouble finding a new job, with prospective employers

“It’s just an outrage. She has suffered immensely because of this. She’s been publicly humiliated. Her children have suffered.” Fred Haddad, Jennifer Bakowski’s lawyer

shunning her after learning of the open investigation.

Media reports indicated Bakowski was accused of stealing $ 1.5 million, though the Sheriff’s Office has not confirmed that number or indicated how she allegedly accomplished the theft.

“What I’d like to know is, was there ever $ 1.5 million missing, or was that just made up?” Bakowski said Tuesday.

The Sheriff’s Office did not respond to three phone calls and an email about the Bakowski investigation on Tuesday.

“It’s pretty disturbing when you think about it,” said Haddad, Bakowski’s lawyer. “It’s just an outrage. She has suffered immensely because of this. She’s been publicly humiliated. Her children have suffered.”

Neither Bakowski nor Haddad would say whether they intend to pursue a civil case.

Bakowski said she will not try to get her old job back.

“Absolutely not. Not after what they’ve done,” she said. “I’m a very loyal and hardworking person. I expect some kind of loyalty in return from an organization I’d lay down my life for. BSO is not that kind of organization.”