Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony has found himself in hot water after a Florida administrative law judge ruled that he should face disciplinary consequences for failing to disclose past missteps on a driver's license application. The judge's recommendations, which emerged on Monday, include a written reprimand, 18-month probationary status, and a mandate for Tony to complete an ethics training course. Local 10 reported the news first.
The controversy stems from Tony's failure to mention, on multiple license renewals, that his Pennsylvania driver’s license was suspended in the late '90s. According to a WSVN report, the administrative judge’s 31-page order stated, "It is recommended that Respondent be found in violation of failing to maintain good moral character," a claim that puts the sheriff’s integrity into question, as his role requires him to uphold the law he is accused of skirting.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) had initially brought the complaint against Tony last summer, which has now culminated in the recent recommendation by the judge. The administrative order acknowledged that Tony’s deception about his suspension "was minimal" in terms of impact but stressed the importance of law enforcement personnel maintaining a high standard of moral character.
Despite the judge's recommendation for only a reprimand, central to the issue is a broader expectation adhered to by those in positions of power, particularly those who enforce the laws themselves. The judge noted, "A basic public expectation of those who serve the public and enforce the laws is that they must obey the law," as reported by Local 10. The recommendations are now on their way to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, which will make the final call on Tony’s fate. At this juncture, neither Sheriff Tony nor his legal counsel have provided comments regarding the judge's ruling.
