9 Investigates: Cases called into question due to MBI agent misconduct

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An MBI agent was recently fired, after it was discovered he is in a relationship with a woman he arrested during an alleged pill mill raid.

The charges against that woman were dropped when she became a witness for the prosecution in the case. Now, defense attorneys are questioning both her and the agent’s credibility.

Eyewitness News was there when MBI shut down Pain and Wellness in Winter Park in February 2015. Undercover agents said the doctor there, Roland Brutus, gave out pills by the thousands to addicts.

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Brutus’ attorney just filed a motion to throw out the case due to possible impropriety by the lead investigator. Only 9 Investigates obtained hundreds of text messages detailing a romantic relationship between the MBI agent and one of the women inside who was arrested.

“What it does, is calls into credibility both of the witness’ testimony,” WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said.

After the relationship was disclosed, two defendants in another case worked by the same agent at a Winter Garden pain clinic, had some of their charges dismissed. Rica Bogdany and Vincent Goodwin served jail time on just one charge.

Some of the charges the agent wanted to bring against two other defendants, Billie Aldridge and Laurence Skolnik, at “A-Stop” pain clinic on East Colonial Drive aren’t being pursued, either. Prosecutors won’t say those cases are totally in jeopardy.

This isn’t the first time an MBI agent has been accused of getting too close to a suspect-turned-informant. Last year, Lt. Sam Riggi was fired after an admitted prostitute disclosed the two had a relationship. An investigation revealed the woman put thousands of dollars into his bank account in return for perceived protection from being arrested.

Similar accusations date back to the 1980s when MBI was in its infancy.

A hearing has been set for October to determine whether the case against Brutus will continue.

“This should be a teaching moment for MBI,” Sheaffer said.

There are two other major pending cases the agent investigated, including Operation Pop-A-Smurf, which has two dozen defendants.

MBI director Ron Stucker told Channel 9's Karla Ray the agency expects and requires the highest ethical standards of its personnel, and any allegation of misconduct is promptly and thoroughly investigated.

Cox Media Group