17 Broward Sheriff's Office employees charged with COVID relief fraud

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.