Kennedy was accused of stealing money thought to be proceeds from drug trafficking from a nightstand during a drug-related search warrant in 2016. The occupants of the apartment had installed security cameras and recorded the alleged theft that was later posted to Instagram.
The charges announced Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney’s office were related to the federal investigation of that alleged theft, though Kennedy was not charged in the theft itself. According to court documents, Kennedy had told investigators he put the money in his pocket to later log it into evidence.
Federal authorities allege he lied several times to investigators during the investigation, then conspired to have another officer lie about the evidence transaction, coaching that officer on what to say to investigators. That second officer was not named in the court documents or charged.
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A police car drives in Philadelphia, Tuesday, March 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Two Philadelphia police officers have been suspended after being charged with giving false statements in separate cases.
Sgt. Michael Kennedy, 49, was federally indicted Wednesday on making false statements to the FBI, obstruction and conspiracy to make a false statement. Separately, Officer James Saxton was arrested by the Philadelphia Police Department’s internal affairs division and charged with perjury.
Both officers were suspended by the police department for 30 days with the intent to fire them, according to a statement from Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw.
Kennedy was accused of stealing money thought to be proceeds from drug trafficking from a nightstand during a drug-related search warrant in 2016. The occupants of the apartment had installed security cameras and recorded the alleged theft that was later posted to Instagram.
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