FBI & FDLE Hall of Shame
Sarasota FBI Supervisor, Tom Baugher
On January 5, 2021, the mastermind of Murray Cohen’s murder cover-up Kurt Hoffman was sworn in as the new Sarasota Sheriff. After the swearing in ceremony, Hoffman gave a special shout out to Sarasota FBI Agent Tom Baugher for attending. After watching Hoffman’s swearing in ceremony on YouTube and learning about Baugher, Murray Cohen’s son Steven called the FBI and asked to speak with him. Baugher did not return his call for six months. On July 13, 2021, Baugher called Steven and the first thing he said was, “I am not friends with Kurt Hoffman.” Steven replied, “Well Kurt Hoffman thinks you are, he gave you a special shout out.”
Baugher went on to say the FBI does not have the authority to investigate murders. Steven asked, “Does the FBI have the authority a law enforcement agency to cover up a murder?”
Baugher replied, “yes”. Steven then asked, “Does the FBI have the authority to investigate a law enforcement agency who alters evidence and sends it to the Audio Lab to obtain a certain outcome?” Once again, Baugher says, “yes”. Steven replied, “Well, there you go, this is what is going on in the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office.” Baugher responded,” there is no case, therefore, there is nothing to investigate.” Steven said, FDLE Agent Monk told me you the person who called the Quanico Lab and take a second listen, is that true?” Baugher replied, “yes, I called the lab and they told me they would not take a second listen because the examined the original the first time.” Steven then told Baugher about the WFLA Channel 8 News broadcast which aired on June 9, 2021 in which a 20 year homicide detective who investigated his father’s death and called it a cold blooded murder done for money and greed. Steven then told Laugher that the Sarasota homicide detective was asked on the air, “is the Sarasota Sheriff’s department covering up the murder?” His answer was, “yes”. Steven asked Agent Baugher if he would in the name of justice being served, would he called Detective Ferguson to speak with him. Baugher replied, “no, I will not”. The conversation quickly ended.
FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen (Since 2007)
On September 16, 2020, at 1:30pm, Murray Cohen’s son Steven called Swearingen’s office expecting to make contact with his secretary. Surprisingly, Swearingen answered the phone because of the Covid pandemic, he was working from home. Murray’s son pleaded with Swearingen to allow justice to be served for his murdered father. He was made aware of the 48 page investigative report authored by James Casey who was the head of the Jacksonville FBI. Casey spent 7 months investigating Murray Cohen’s death and concluded their was probable cause that his wife of three weeks poisoned and murdered him. Swearinen replied, “I know Mr. Casey very well and I am going to have an agent call you tomorrow.” Steven asked the Commissioner to request FDLE ask the FBI audio lab to take a second listen in the interest of justice being served. The next day he had FDLE Agent Greg Monk make contact with Steven. Agent Monk participated in a meeting which took place in 2007 with the Sarasota Medical Examiner, the Sarasota State Attorney and the Sarasota Sheriff. They all concluded that Murray Cohen died a natural death and no investigation was needed.
The next morning at 10:45am, Agent Monk called Steven. Monk requested a copy of James Casey’s 48 page investigative report. Steven once again pleaded for justice to finally be served after 18 years. He also provided Agent Monk with the contact number for a retired 20 year Sarasota Homicide Detective, Garry Ferguson.
Detective Ferguson investigated Murray Cohen’s death and concluded he was a victim of a cold-blooded murder done for money and greed.
Detective Ferguson currently volunteers his time solving cold-case murders in North Florida for FDLE. After Monk failed to make contact with Ferguson, Ferguson reached out to Monk. After their conversation, Monk told Ferguson he would call him back in a few weeks and never did.
On January 3, 2021, Agent Monk called Steven to tell him he spoke with Sarasota Agent Tom Baugher and was told he reached out to the Quantico Lab and asked them if they would take a second listen and they declined. Monk further stated, “There is nothing else FDLE is going to do”. Monk then said to Steven, “The Commissioner and I are sympathetic to your fight.” Steven replied,”I do not need sympathy, I need justice”.
On June 9th, 2021, Detective Garry Ferguson was interviewed by WFLA Channel 8, Tampa and was asked on the air, “Is the Sarasota Sheriff’s Department covering up this murder?” Ferguson’s reply was, “Yes”. Even though Ferguson works with FDLE solving cold cases, they won’t listen to what he has to say about the murder of Murray Cohen.
