Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen and county commissioners are demanding a detailed audit of the Broward Sheriff’s Office budget, saying they want to know how the agency spends taxpayer money.
Bogen said existing audits only confirm how much money the sheriff received and how much he spent. They do not show what the money bought. “It doesn’t get down and dirty,” he said, pointing to questions about spending on a spa, massage tables and a cold plunge at the agency’s training center.
Sheriff Gregory Tony responded with promotional videos posted on social media. One says BSO has been audited repeatedly and calls the hundreds of pages of revenue, expenditure and personnel data proof of transparency. Tony declined to comment directly to CBS News Miami, citing an ongoing statewide investigation.
The county has already voted to remove BSO Fire Rescue from the sheriff’s control. Commissioners are also considering taking back security at the airport and seaport, the jail and the 911 center. Bogen said he wants leadership that is “experienced, transparent, straightforward, honest.”
Bogen plans a news conference Friday, where he will announce an investigation into the sheriff, though he has not released details. On Monday, he will visit the BSO training center to see the gym for himself.
