Pinellas detention deputy accused of doctor shopping

LARGO — A Pinellas County Sheriff's Office detention deputy was arrested at work Tuesday, accused of fraudulently obtaining prescription narcotics.

Michael S. Broman, 42, was charged with doctor shopping, obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and trafficking in a controlled substance.

He is being held at the Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $38,000 bail.

Broman, hired by the agency in 1996, was arrested at 11:30 a.m. at the jail.

The investigation began in August after detectives received a tip about "suspicious prescription medication activity involving Broman," according to the Sheriff's Office.

Broman was receiving oxycodone from more than one doctor and was using a fraudulent prescription to obtain the narcotic pain pills, the Sheriff's Office said.

Broman, who makes $53,254 a year, has been placed on administrative leave with pay while an internal investigation is conducted.