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Sheriff Says Aisenberg Attorney Never Target Of Investigation

News Channel 8 photo by CHRIS TAYLOR (2007)

Marlene Aisenberg looks around a bedroom in her Bethesda, Maryland home. The room is kept for their missing daughter, Sabrina. It is furninshed with gifts from the Aisenbergs' travels.

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By HOWARD ALTMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 27, 2008

Contrary to statements given by an inmate, attorney Barry Cohen has never been investigated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in connection with the Nov. 24, 1997, disappearance of 5-month-old Sabrina Paige Aisenberg, says Sheriff David Gee.

In a text message to The Tampa Tribune, Gee says that Cohen "is not, nor ever has been," the subject of an investigation into Sabrina's disappearance.

Last week, a prisoner named Dennis Byron gave a recorded statement that Cohen and his investigator Johnny Tranquillo conspired to cover up the disappearance, according to Byron's attorney, John Trevena.

The sheriff's office says that Cohen has never been a target, subject or person of interest in this case.

The sheriff's office and its attorney, Tony Peluso, issued the following statement Sunday afternoon:

"HCSO detectives and employees treat all of these leads in a professional and scientific manner, gathering facts and allowing the facts to direct our actions, conclusions and decisions. Lead information comes to the HCSO from a variety of sources. Obviously, some of our informants are more reliable and trustworthy than others. Nonetheless, regardless of the source, we are honor bound to lawfully investigate every viable lead, no matter whose feathers it might ultimately ruffle.

"There is no political, personal or other improper agenda associated with the investigation into the disappearance of Sabrina Paige Aisenberg. While we are not going to illuminate the parameters of the investigation for the media, nor are we going to confirm or deny our interest in any specific individual, based upon statements made in the various media outlets, we feel compelled to deny the implication that our investigation has ever viewed Mr. Barry Cohen as a subject, target, suspect or person of interest. Assertions to the contrary are simply wrong, baseless and designed to distract from the legitimate endeavor in which we are engaged."

Editor Howard Altman can be reached at (813) 259-7629 or haltman@tampatrib.com

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