Greater than a dozen Broward Sheriff’s Workplace workers are going through expenses associated to COVID-19 reduction fraud, authorities mentioned Thursday.
The costs contain 17 workers accused of fraudulently acquiring Paycheck Safety Program loans, U.S. Legal professional for the Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe mentioned.
“All 17 defendants have been employed as sworn BSO deputies, all 17 defendants are charged with taking part in numerous schemes to defraud the USA Small Enterprise Administration by offering false info relating to their eligibility for monetary help,” Lapointe mentioned at a information convention Thursday afternoon with Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony.
Lapointe mentioned the workers collectively obtained round $500,000, which they diverted for their very own private use. He mentioned they did not commit the alleged offenses in the middle of their official duties.
“This doesn’t in any manner diminish the seriousness of what the defendants are alleged to have accomplished right here,” Lapointe mentioned. “Legislation enforcement officers stand able of belief to the members of the general public who they serve.”
Lapointe added that the fraud did not seem like coordinated and mentioned all 17 workers are being charged individually.
Tony mentioned it was “disappointing” to see the fees and mentioned all will probably be held accountable.
“I hate to see that, understanding a number of the people and seeing the names on that listing as being indicted, a few of them have been good officers,” Tony mentioned. “However you are solely pretty much as good because the final act and conduct that you simply execute, and so for those who’re gonna be taking part in felony actions, we do not need you on this career.”
The costs have been first reported Wednesday by the Florida Bulldog.
The Paycheck Safety Program entails billions of {dollars} in forgivable small-business loans for People struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cash should be used to pay workers, mortgage curiosity, hire and utilities. It’s a part of the coronavirus reduction bundle that grew to become federal legislation in 2020.
This is not the primary case involving South Florida legislation enforcement and COVID-19 reduction fraud.
Earlier this 12 months, a former Miami-Dade Police officer pleaded responsible to stealing round $285,000 in COVID-19 reduction funds.
A former Miami Police officer additionally pleaded responsible this 12 months in a COVID-19 reduction fraud case that concerned greater than $40,000.
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