An appellate court has tossed out a tampering conviction against a former Broward Sheriff's Office detective.
Anthony Costanzo had been accused of interfering with a racketeering and extortion case against two Fort Lauderdale Police officers back in May 2012.
Costanzo was officially cleared at a hearing Monday.
"It's been trying for me but more for my family," an emotional Costanzo told reporters after the hearing. "My kids went through a lot over this, being harassed at school and things like that. It was embarrassing for no reason. Trying time, yes, but I'm happy it's over."
The accusations emerged after prosecutors said Costanzo videotaped a holding cell conversation with a suspect related to the case against the two officers but when a warrant was issued for the video, it had been deleted.
Costanzo, a 12-year veteran of the BSO, said he would like to return to work in law enforcement but didn't say whether he'd pursue legal action to be reinstated.
"My career, my livelihood has basically been ruined at this point," he said.
