FDLE agent confrontational with other law enforcement officials, investigation says

The former second-in-command of Tampa Bay’s FDLE office came under investigation after local prosecutors and sheriff’s deputies complained that he was confrontational and abusive in his dealings with them.

Moses Jordan (left) stepped down in January as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigated the allegations.

Numerous witnesses described an incident where Jordan angrily confronted Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney Bernie McCabe at a crime scene at a Tyrone Boulevard shopping plaza in December 2004. Witnesses told FDLE investigators that Jordan was yelling and pointing his finger at McCabe and talking to the chief prosecutor in a disrespectful manner. Another FDLE agent at the scene said he was embarrassed and "dumbfounded" that Jordan would speak to an elected official that way.

Also, Pinellas County sheriff’s deputies described an incident where Jordan was angrily cursing at deputies after a police pursuit involving Jordan’s daughter.

Jordan notified the FDLE in January that he was retiring. He couldn’t be reached for comment, and his attorney didn’t return phone calls.

He had already turned his agency-issued handgun and badge last October as the investigation began.

And five days after the inquiry began, the leader of the FDLE’s Tampa Bay office, Lance H. Newman, left his post to begin early retirement. The FDLE said the timing was coincidental.

-- Mike Brassfield, Times staff writer

[Thomas M. Goethe, Times files]