WINDERMERE, Fla. — One of the former Windermere chief's right-hand men resigned Friday, WFTV was told, and he plans to testify against his former boss, Daniel Saylor. Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents said the Windermere sex case is also a case of corruption at its worst.
RAW INTERVIEW: WFTV Talks To Cop, Attorney
However, Lieutenant Paul Conway denies doing anything wrong that would result in criminal or professional action against him. Conway and his attorney insist that he's resigned to give the Windermere Police Department and the town of Windermere a chance to rebuild and heal.
Only WFTV was at the Windermere Police Department Friday when Lt. Conway handed over his resignation. Conway was a Windermere officer for 13 years.
"Lieutenant Conway, can you tell us about these allegations that you ordered someone to stop a sex battery investigation?" WFTV reporter Kathi Belich asked.
His attorney, Bill Sheaffer, also WFTV's legal analyst, would not let Conway answer specifics about the on-going investigation into Windermere's former chief Saylor and the entire police department.
CASE DOCUMENTS RELEASED 02/08/11: » Investigative Report And Employee Interviews » Investigative Summary Of Tampering/Bribery » Investigative Summary Of Unlawful Compensation » Investigative Summary Of Sexual Battery (explicit)
Sheaffer said Conway is cooperating with FDLE as a witness. He is not facing possible charges, and is not asking for any favors or special consideration in exchange for his continuing cooperation.
But Conway is caught up in the firestorm. Other officers cooperating with FDLE told investigators that Conway also ordered an end to a sexual battery investigation involving a young girl and Saylor's good friend, Scott Bush, and said that Conway and Bush were also friends.
Conway strongly denies doing anything wrong.
"I believe basically what I'm doing is the best thing for the agency. Best for the community," said Conway.
"Those persons who are making those allegations as I said before, better be really careful because they're going to be scrutinized by FDLE and they're going to be scrutinized by me," Sheaffer said.
WFTV asked Conway if it's tough facing the allegations made against him.
"Considering I've never been in the paper much, it's different. I'll put it to you that way," Conway said.
Sheaffer said investigators are not considering filing criminal charges against Conway, but they do feel he's holding back
"That he can be more cooperative in certain areas in order to clear up any questions, or to clear up any perception that we're not being totally cooperative," Sheaffer said.
Other allegations that have come to light against Conway are that he too was close to Bush and had spent time at Bush's house with Saylor when Bush was out of town.
Conway said that's overstated and that he became increasingly uncomfortable around Bush and distanced himself.
Conway has scheduled a meeting with FDLE investigators next week.
Saylor is scheduled to be back in court next month. A case management conference is set for March 25. Saylor's pre-trial hearing is scheduled for April 20.
Saylor has pleaded not guilty to official misconduct, and unlawful compensation for official behavior.
Previous Stories: February 10, 2011: Arrests May Be Coming In Windermere Sex Case February 9, 2011: Documents Show How Cop Turned On Windermere Chief February 3, 2011: Mike McCoy Named Windermere Police Chief January 27, 2011: Windermere Police Chief Fired At Town Hall Meeting January 26, 2011: Documents Shed Light On Windermere Scandal January 24, 2011: Windermere Mayor Sends Out Letter About Recent Scandal January 21, 2011: Windermere Officer Relieved Of Duty Amid Scandal January 18, 2011: Casey's Attorney Takes On Windermere Sex Case January 14, 2011: Documents Reveal Controversial Past For Police Chief January 13, 2011: Man Chief Allegedly Protected May Have More Victims January 13, 2011: Officials: Police Chief Tried To Cover Up Sex Battery On Child January 12, 2011: Residents Outraged By Windermere Scandal
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