PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A former Philadelphia police sergeant has been federally indicted for allegedly lying about taking money during a 2016 drug raid in Kensington.
Michael Kennedy is facing eight charges, mostly of false statements to government officials.
The 49-year-old, a former narcotics sergeant, is accused of stealing a bundle of cash from the nightstand of the apartment that was being raided for drugs, then lying to federal authorities about it and coaxing another officer to also lie.
Authorities say the resident had hidden nanny cameras set up around the bedroom, and they showed Kennedy stuffing the cash in his pocket.
In the court filing, officials say Kennedy learned of the nanny cam video because it was shared on social media. A few months later when FBI agents asked him about it, he said he put the bundle of cash into evidence after the raid.
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Officials say Kennedy and the other officer, who was not identified in the indictment or by the feds, had several phone conversations about what they told the FBI. At one point, officials say the other cop told Kennedy “don’t worry” and “I got your back.”
Kennedy, the now-former police officer, was also on then District Attorney Seth Williams’ original “do not call” to testify list due to allegations of misconduct.
Kennedy has an initial appearance scheduled for Friday.
His attorney, Michael Drossner, said they are continuing to investigate.
If convicted, Kennedy faces a maximum sentence of 55 years in prison.
“The charges against Officer Kennedy allege behavior that is in stark contrast to values police officers are supposed to embody,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbitter Williams in a Justice Department statement.
“Our community expects everyone in law enforcement to follow the law, and justice demands it. Thank you to the FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department for their dedicated work on this investigation.”