Feds Charge 17 from Broward County Sheriff’s Office with COVID Loan Fraud

MIAMI, FLORIDA — Federal prosecutors have charged 17 Broward County Sheriff's Office (BSO) employees with wire fraud for allegedly attempting to defraud the government through pandemic relief loans.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Florida announced the charges through a press release on Thursday. 

The defendants were charged separately through indictments issued between September 14 and October 11. They allegedly received $495,171 in assistance unlawfully and “used the proceeds to unjustly enrich themselves,” the release stated. 

The employees received money through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. In several of the indictments, the defendants allegedly lied about their income in the application for the assistance, according to ABC News.

If convicted, the defendants could face up to 20 years in prison.

“Our work is not done. This investigation is ongoing,” U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida said. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to uncover the fraud schemes and hold anyone involved accountable – regardless of an individual’s role in the community.”

“No matter the amount, we will not allow limited federal tax dollars, … to be swindled by those who were employed in a position of trust and cast aside their duty to uphold and abide by the law,” Lapointe continued.

Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony indicated the employees will likely be fired.

“We still have to follow proper protocols and since these are protected members with union rights and other different statutory obligations from the investigation practices that we have to follow, but I’m not going to sugarcoat or dance around this — at the end of the day, they will be gone," Tony said at a press conference.

“For five years, I’ve maintained an organization committed to transparency and accountability,” Tony added. “I will continue to expect integrity and commitment to excellence from every BSO employee.”