Posted on Oct 13, 2023
17 Broward Sheriff's Office employees charged with COVID relief fraud
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Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's Office in South Florida announced charges Thursday against 17 Broward Sheriff's Office employees, saying they defrauded the federal government out of half a million dollars.
They were charged with providing false information regarding their eligibility for financial assistance provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The funds were distributed through the U.S. Small Business Administration during the COVID-19 pandemic. The defendants included deputies and corrections officers, said prosecutors.
The cases are separate and do not stem from one "ring-leader" as is common in these cases, according to prosecutors. All 17 appeared in federal court in Fort Lauderdale and received bond. They will be arraigned next week.
"Law enforcement officers stand in a position of trust to the members of the public who they serve, an officer engaged in criminal activity, whether it occurs on duty or off duty, undermines this very trust," said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe.
They were charged with providing false information regarding their eligibility for financial assistance provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The funds were distributed through the U.S. Small Business Administration during the COVID-19 pandemic. The defendants included deputies and corrections officers, said prosecutors.
The cases are separate and do not stem from one "ring-leader" as is common in these cases, according to prosecutors. All 17 appeared in federal court in Fort Lauderdale and received bond. They will be arraigned next week.
"Law enforcement officers stand in a position of trust to the members of the public who they serve, an officer engaged in criminal activity, whether it occurs on duty or off duty, undermines this very trust," said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe.
17 Broward Sheriff's Office employees charged with COVID relief fraud
Posted from wlrn.org
Fort Lauderdale
Police
Law Enforcement
Fraud
Posted 7 mo ago
Responses: 3
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SGT Ruben Lozada
Facts. I concur shipmate. Many LEO's are a little shady now a days, and can't be relied upon for assistance.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."This is theft from the American people. There’s 2 million people in this county, those employees stole from those 2 million people as far as I’m concerned,” Tony said at Tuesday's press conference with prosecutors.
Most of the employees have been suspended without pay, according to BSO records, one resigned. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said they aren’t done with their investigation and more charges may be coming."
..."This is theft from the American people. There’s 2 million people in this county, those employees stole from those 2 million people as far as I’m concerned,” Tony said at Tuesday's press conference with prosecutors.
Most of the employees have been suspended without pay, according to BSO records, one resigned. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said they aren’t done with their investigation and more charges may be coming."
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