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Informant's Lawyer Wants State To Look Into Aisenberg Investigation

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By RAY REYES and JOSH POLTILOVE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 29, 2008

TAMPA - Attorney John Trevena said Tuesday night that he will ask the governor's office to appoint a special prosecutor to look into how the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has handled its investigation into the disappearance of 5-month-old Sabrina Paige Aisenberg.

Trevena's client, Dennis Byron, was an informant for the sheriff's office used by investigators to get new leads on the disappearance, which happened 11 years ago when the Aisenbergs lived in Valrico.

"There's been some oversight in regards to how this investigation is being handled," Trevena said.

The Largo lawyer said the sheriff's office has seemingly waffled on its stance that Tampa attorney Barry Cohen was targeted in the probe.

"I'm angry and stumped by the continuous stream of inconsistencies and positions the sheriff's office has taken" in regards to Cohen, Trevena said.

Cohen said Tuesday night that Trevena's request of the governor's office "sounds like a pretty smart thing to do."

"If they find somebody with impeccable integrity and will go where the facts take them, I think it's a good idea," Cohen said. "There has to be consequences to this conduct."

Sheriff David Gee could not be reached for comment late Tuesday night.

Cohen represented Sabrina's parents, Marlene and Steven Aisenberg, when they were charged in federal court with lying to investigators about their baby's disappearance. On Monday, Cohen said that he is being framed by the sheriff's office and that the agency tried to work the system to get information against him, the Aisenbergs and his investigator, Johnny Tranquillo.

Trevena also said he is angry that Byron was moved Monday from the Gainesville Correctional Institution to the Columbia Correctional Institution in Lake City. Trevena said he was told Byron was transferred to a solitary confinement cell for his protection.

Byron is sentenced to five years in prison after he violated the terms of his house arrest in February, records show.

"Me and my client view that as punitive and retaliatory," Trevena said.

The transfer was against Byron's wishes, his attorney said.

"He did not say to the warden that his name is all over the papers," that his fellow prisoners knew he was an informant and that he needed to be moved for his protection, Trevena said.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or rreyes@tampatrib.com. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691 or jpoltilove@tampatrib.com.

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