February 8, 2025

Seventeen deputies from the Broward Sheriff’s Office are under scrutiny due to allegations of fraudulent behavior concerning government aid programs. These programs were designed to assist small businesses to survive during the pandemic.

The purported fraudulent activities involved the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs. The deputies are said to have submitted false paperwork to avail funds from these programs.

All of the deputies, charged separately, made their federal court debut in Fort Lauderdale last Thursday. Their charges pertained to fraud in relation to emergency federal loan programs, and were leveled against nine department of detention workers including a sergeant, as well as eight law enforcement officials, also including a sergeant.

U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe revealed at a press gathering last Thursday that the deputies, all sworn law enforcement officers, had illegally used these funds for personal purposes. The total amount fraudulently claimed by these individuals stood at $495,171.

Lapointe emphasizes that the federal tax dollars, meant as a lifeline for struggling businesses during the pandemic, should not be misused by those in positions of trust. He reassured that the investigation is still ongoing.

All of these officers were initially suspended with pay on Oct. 6, which then shifted to a suspension without pay from Thursday. However, Sheriff Gregory Tony confirmed that no resignations have been requested so far.

The probe originated in 2021 due to an unrelated internal affairs inspection when loan fraud was discovered. An employee tip-off indicated that several other employees may have also committed the same fraud.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe announces charges against 17 deputies in connection with COVID loans at the Broward Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Complex in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

The investigation, starting with all BSO employees who applied for the loans, was narrowed down to about 100 people. The US Attorney’s Office took over the investigation, conducted jointly with the Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The Broward Sheriff’s Department was also involved.

Other recent high-profile fraud cases in South Florida include the daughter of Broward’s former mayor, a Sheriff’s Office detention technician, a political consultant, and two former Miami police officers.Broward County Sheriff's Office deputy Stephanie Diane Smith, left, leaves the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale after being indicted on charges of falsifying paperwork to collect money under the Paycheck Protection Program on Thursday, October 12, 2023. Seventeen deputies of the Broward Sheriff's Office, are under federal investigation. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)?

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a US government loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll amidst the COVID pandemic. These loans are forgiven if businesses retain their employees during the crisis or restore their payroll afterwards.

What are the possible penalties for committing PPP fraud?

PPP fraud can result in severe repercussions, including federal criminal charges such as bank fraud, wire fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy to commit fraud. Convictions can lead to imprisonment for up to 30 years, fines of up to $1 million, or both.

What is the status of the ongoing investigation for these cases?

The investigation is currently ongoing, with charges filed in 17 separate cases. All accused deputies made their first appearance in federal court on October 14. More updates will likely be announced as the case progresses.

In July 2020 Broward Sheriff’s Office Lt. Jennifer Lawhorn faces multiple charges including wire fraud. She applied for and received three PPP loans for both herself and her company, Home Empire Enterprises. On 24th October, Lawhorn is set to return to court still in need of legal representation.

Meanwhile, Jean Pierre-Toussaint from the Tamarac area, a six-year veteran with the force, is facing a single count of wire fraud. He was released on $50,000 bond and is due in court for arraignment on 26th October.

37-year old Alexandra Acosta, a SWAT team member has been charged with a single count wire fraud. She had submitted a fraudulent PPP loan application in September. Acosta has previously been investigated for two vehicular accidents involving property damage according her personnel record.

Sergeant George Anthony III, 50, from the West Park district, is facing two counts of wire fraud. He applied for two PPP loans with the same fabricated information. Over the years, he’s faced multiple internal investigations and penalties including insubordination, disrespect and preventable accidents.

The charges extend to Rorie Brown, Derrick J. Nesbitt and Marcus Errol Powell. Brown, 42, faces indictement for fraudulent information in an EIDL loan application. Both Nesbit, 46, and Powell, 37, are fall under indictment for wire fraud related to PPP loans for their sole proprietor businesses, Designer Life, LLC and Bonvivant Industries, LLC respectively.

Just like their law enforcement counterparts, several detention deputies also face charges. Keith Dunkley who surrendered voluntarily, faces charges of submitting fraudulent loan applications on behalf of Global Group Alliances, LLC. He falsified IRS tax forms and details of the company’s income and payroll.

Also indicted were Katrina Brown, Jewell Farrell Johnson, Ke’Shondra Tameisha Davis, Carolyn Denise Wade, Alexis Monique Greene, Ritchie Noah Dubuisson, Allen Dorvil, and Ancy Morancy.

This recent crackdown is one of the most significant in a single law enforcement agency in quite a while. This only comes second to the Miami River Cops scandal in the late 1980s where almost 10% of Miami Police Department faced disciplinary action.

Report contributed to by Amy Beth Bennett. Lisa J. Huriash can be contacted at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Who are some of the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) officers facing charges?
Officers facing charges include Jennifer Lawhorn, Jean Pierre-Toussaint, Alexandra Acosta, George Anthony III, Rorie Brown, Derrick J. Nesbitt and Marcus Errol Powell.

### What charges have been brought against the officers?
They face charges of wire fraud for applying for and receiving PPP loans using falsified information. Some, such as Rorie Brown, additionally face charges for fraudulent information in an EIDL loan application.

### What is the relevance of the Miami River Cops scandal in the context of these indictments?
The Miami River Cops scandal is significant as it was a major crackdown in law enforcement history. Almost a 10% of the Miami Police Department received disciplinary action from this scandal. Therefore, the saying is used as a comparison for the scale of the current indictments.