Seventeen deputies at the Broward Sheriff’s Office are accused of falsifying paperwork to collect money under government programs meant to help keep small businesses alive during the COVID pandemic.
Officials allege the fraud came from assistance offered by the Paycheck Protection Program, known as PPP, and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, or EIDL, programs.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe said at a Thursday news conference the sworn law enforcement officers are accused of “diverting funds for their personal use,” and made clear it was not done in performance of their official duties. Collectively the 17 individuals took $495,171 from the loan programs. Many of those facing scrutiny had submitted paperwork for the most money possible under the program, a source said.
The point of the program was to “keep small businesses afloat,” Lapointe said. It also became a pot of “ready targets” for people looking to profit.The concern was “let’s get the money out there,” he said, before guardrails were in the place to prevent the economy from a crash.On Thursday morning, deputies in tactical gear were stationed at the front of the BSO headquarters building on West Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, traffic cones blocking traffic.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Florida storms send porta-potty door flying, impales into a light pole: ‘National flag of Florida’Following possible tornados in Florida on Wednesday night, strong winds launched a portable toilet's door off it's hinges and into a light pool.
Read more »
Seventeen states still criminalize criticism of public officialsCriticizing public officials is practically a national pastime in America. Yet, in New Hampshire, the state with the motto of “Live Free or Die,” such a speaker risks criminal prosecution. Speakers in 16 other states do, too.
Read more »
17 Florida sheriff's deputies accused of stealing about $500,000 in pandemic relief fundsSeventeen Florida sheriff’s deputies have appeared in court on charges that they stole about half a million dollars in pandemic relief funds. Court records show that the Broward County deputies are charged separately with a range of crimes.
Read more »
17 Fla. officers accused of stealing nearly $500K in covid-relief fundsFederal investigators in Florida charged 17 Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies with wire fraud from PPP loans for covid-19 relief that totaled around $500,000.
Read more »
17 Florida sheriff's deputies accused of stealing about $500,000 in pandemic relief fundsSeventeen Florida sheriff’s deputies have appeared in court on charges that they stole about half a million dollars in pandemic relief funds
Read more »
17 Florida sheriff's deputies accused of stealing about $500,000 in pandemic relief fundsSeventeen Florida sheriff’s deputies have appeared in court on charges that they stole about half a million dollars in pandemic relief funds
Read more »