The union representing Broward Sheriff’s deputies was ordered to pay $3 million to a former employee who accused their former treasurer of drugging and sexually assaulting her during a business trip to Las Vegas four years ago, with the accused ex-official ordered to pay an additional $1 million.
The jury’s verdict came Wednesday after three hours of deliberation — the trial itself lasted several days stretched out over a month before Broward Circuit Judge Keathan Frink. Former Deputy Frank Voudy’s attorney conceded to jurors that he was a bad husband when he had sex with the plaintiff during their Las Vegas trip in May 2021, which was on official union business. But their sexual encounter was consensual, Voudy insisted.
A photo taken by Voudy suggested otherwise. The woman appeared naked and passed out in her hotel room, and Voudy, according to trial testimony, showed the picture to other employees of the union. After she complained about the incident and filed a police report in Las Vegas, she was let go from her job. She accused the union of firing her in retaliation for her complaint. The jury agreed.
“He tried to say he took the photo to prove he didn’t beat her up,” said Tonja Haddad-Coleman, who along waith Adriana Alcalde Padron represented the plaintiff. The woman’s name was not disclosed in court documents because of the nature of the case. The criminal investigation in Las Vegas did not find probable cause that a crime was committed, and although the woman accused Voudy of drugging her drink, the jury did not find that allegation was proved.
Still, Haddad-Coleman said, the verdict and award were enough to vindicate her client.
“They tried to make her out to be some Jaegermeister-chugging sex fiend,” Haddad-Coleman said. “She had to go to work every day knowing her bosses saw pictures of her naked. But on the stand she was steady, mature and believable. And the verdict tells us no one is above the law, least of all the people sworn to uphold it.”
Voudy filed a counterclaim accusing the plaintiff of defamation, but it was dismissed by the judge before the jury could consider it. The woman’s allegations led to Voudy’s dismissal from the Broward Sheriff’s Office for “conduct unbecoming.”
Voudy’s lawyer vowed to appeal the jury’s verdict.
Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457.