FDLE seeks to suspend Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony’s certification over allegations of withholding info

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement recommended Monday to suspend Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony’s certification over allegations stemming from false statements he made on multiple occasions when applying for a driver’s license.

The issue stems from a complaint filed last summer by the FDLE against Tony.

“The offense of falsifying information on a driver license application is an act involving moral turpitude. Most importantly, the Respondent, the Sheriff of Broward County, is inherently held to a higher standard
due to his position being one of great power within the community,” the document reads. “The position of an officer is one of great public trust and the Respondent’s calculated actions have broken that trust.”

“In this case, the appropriate penalty is a six-month prospective suspension of certification followed by one year of probation with the requirement the Respondent complete Commission-approved ethics training,” it continued.

According to the document, Tony allegedly knowingly made false statements or attempted to conceal information at multiple times from 2002-2019 regarding his license being suspended in Pennsylvania in 1993 and 1998.

Broward County’s top cop, Tony was raised in Philadelphia and previously possessed a Pennsylvania driver’s license. Following suspension, his license was reinstated in 2001.

Tony later received a Florida driver’s license in 2001 and has requested multiple replacements ever since.

Under rules from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, an examiner is required to ask such questions as “has your driving privilege ever been revoked, suspended, or denied in any state.”

Moreover, after completion, the participant is required to sign an attestation stating “under penalty of perjury, I swear or affirm that the information given by me in this application is true and correct.”

Notably, an applicant is allowed to review and confirm his or her information is correct.

The document noted Tony did respond “yes” on applications when asked if he had his license suspended in another state in 2001, 2003, and 2005. However, he also responded “no” with his signature in 2007, 2013, twice in 2017, and 2019.

Tony has previously denied the allegations, attesting any falsehoods weren’t intentional.

In 2022 on a podcast titled First News with Jimmy Cefalo, Tony admitted that “on [his] driver’s license applications, [he’s] said yes a few times,” and he’s “omitted or missed one or two here or there.”

Furthermore, the document stated Tony is in violation of Section 943.1395 of Florida statutes and Rule 11B-27.0011(4)(a) of the Florida Administrative Code, which requires Florida law enforcement officers hold “good moral character.”

In response, Tony’s lawyers Tuesday filed an 18-page recommendation order to Judge Robert L. Killbride to dismiss the case.

Tony’s lawyers mentioned that FDLE did not “show clear and convincing evidence” that Tony “unlawfully and knowingly made a false statement” with respect to information stated related to his drivers license or ID card.

His lawyers added the FDLE failed to demonstrate that Tony knowingly concealed a material fact, or otherwise committed fraud in any application for a driver’s license or identification.

Upon coming to Florida, Tony started his career in law enforcement with the Coral Springs Police Department in 2005. Over that period, he served on the SWAT team before eventually rising to the rank of sergeant.

Tony was later appointed as Broward County Sheriff in 2019. A Democrat, he was then elected as the county’s top cop in November 2020 with 63% of the vote.

“I am deeply honored to serve the people of Broward County as their duly elected sheriff. Over the last five years, my administration has made unprecedented enhancements in the area of public safety,” Tony said in August 2023.

Furthermore, Tony has already announced his intention to run for reelection in 2024.

“I’m proud to seek reelection and reaffirm my commitment to serving the great people of Broward County. We must maintain a sheriff’s office where public safety is the priority — not politics,” Tony continued.