BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – A Florida administrative law judge recommended a reprimand for Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony on Monday.
It all stems from a complaint from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement that Tony failed to disclose information on a driver’s license application five years ago.
In Monday’s order against Tony, a judge said he “is recommending that (Tony) be found in violation of failing to maintain good moral character.”
The ruling resembles a prior recommendation by FDLE’s Criminal Justice and Standards Commission and it all stems from a complaint filed by the department last summer.
Through Tony’s years living in Florida, investigators believe he lied multiple times at the DMV while renewing his driver’s license, after failing to disclose his license has been previously suspended in the 90s while living in Pennsylvania.
Citing the offense as a potential third degree felony, the judge wrote, “A basic public expectation of those who serve the public and enforce the laws is that they must obey the law” and that Tony “is held to a higher standard since his position is one of considerable authority within the community.”
But the judge said the case against Tony lacks sufficient evidence for all but one of the accusations, which is a 2019 renewal application.
The order states “the impact of (Tony’s) false statement on the DMV’s operations and record keeping was minimal” and would not have had a significant impact on his license status no matter how he answered.
Ultimately, the judge’s recommended discipline action against Tony is a written reprimand, an 18-month probationary status and a required certified ethics training.
The signed recommended reprimand by the judge will now be sent to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, which is the entity that will make the final determination about Tony’s punishment.
Local 10 News reached out to Tony and his attorneys Monday night but have not heard back at the time of this story’s publishing.