{{Short description|American sheriff (born 1978)}} {{About|American law enforcement officer|the martial artist|Grégory Tony}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder | office = 17th Sheriff of Broward County | order = | image = Gregory Tony.jpg | image_upright = | alt = | caption = | alongside = | appointer = Ron DeSantis | constituency = | parliamentary_group = | predecessor = Scott Israel | succeeding = | successor = | majority = | party = Democratic | prior_term = | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1978}} | birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | spouse = Holly Tony<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-ne-sheriff-tony-campaign-launch-20191104-2syxqmzt2nh37o7p2n3nydpuk4-story.html|title=Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony officially files to run for election|website=Sun Sentinel|author=Skyler Swisher|date=November 4, 2019}}</ref> | occupation = Law enforcement officer | term_start = January 11, 2019 | term_end = | education = | alma_mater = {{ubl| Tallahassee Community College|Florida State University (BS)|Nova Southeastern University (MS)}} (PhD) }}
'''Gregory Scott Tony'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony wouldn't have been hired as a cop if he revealed he killed a man, former boss says|author= Lisa J. Huriash, Susannah Bryan, Rafael Olmeda, and Skyler Swisher|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-ne-vetting-sheriff-tony-20200504-twm6ufhi2vaynnkjszkcqg6awi-story.html |website=Sun Sentinel |date= May 5, 2020|access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref> (born 1978) is an American law enforcement officer and serving since 2019 as the 17th Sheriff of Broward County, Florida.
Tony was initially appointed sheriff in 2019 by Florida governor Ron DeSantis, to fill a vacancy. In November 2020, Tony won election to the office of sheriff, which he had previously held by appointment.
== Early life and education== Tony was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the youngest of five children of Gloria Tony and William Scott.<ref name=know/> He attended Olney High School in Philadelphia, graduating in 1997.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.floridabulldog.org/2020/05/sheriff-gregory-tony-shot-killed-man-as-teenager/|title=Sheriff Gregory Tony has a secret: As a teenager, he shot and killed a man|first=Dan|last=Christensen|date=May 2, 2020|work=Florida Bulldog}}</ref>
Tony moved to Tallahassee, Florida, and attended Tallahassee Community College.<ref name="auto1"/> He then attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, where he played football under Bobby Bowden. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminology in 2002.<ref name="auto1"/> He later obtained a master's degree in criminal justice from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.<ref>Burke, Peter. [https://www.local10.com/news/2019/01/11/who-is-new-broward-county-sheriff-gregory-tony/ "Who is new Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony?"], WPLG (11 Jan 2019): "Tony received his undergraduate degree in criminology from FSU and earned a master's degree in criminal justice from Nova Southeastern University".</ref><ref name="auto15">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/scott-israel-gregory-tony-broward-sheriff/|title='I'm Here To Serve': New Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony On New Position|website=CBS News|date=January 11, 2019}}</ref><ref name="auto17">[https://www.sheriff.org/Pages/Sheriff/Biography.aspx "Sheriff Gregory Tony"] Broward County Sheriff's Office. 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2021.</ref> In 2024, Tony was awarded a doctor of philosophy degree in criminal justice from Nova Southeastern University.
==Early career (2005-18)==
He was first employed as a police officer by the suburban Coral Springs Police Department from 2005, when he was 26 years old, to 2016, ultimately becoming a sergeant.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/florida-sheriff-fires-deputy-union-head-after-covid-19-fight/|title=Florida sheriff fires deputy union head after COVID-19 fight|date=January 27, 2022|website=The Seattle Times|author=Terry Spencer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/556611-winner-and-loser-of-the-week-in-florida-politics-week-of-9-11-22/|title=Winner and Loser of the Week in Florida politics — Week of 9.11.22|first=Joe|last=Henderson|date=September 18, 2022|work=Florida Politics}}</ref><ref name=know>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-ne-who-is-sheriff-tony-20200508-5ui4ql2zwngn3mliqdtuvtoh5i-story.html|title=From rough past to top cop, here's what we know — and don't know — about Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony|date=May 8, 2020|author=Rafael Olmeda, Brittany Wallman and Eileen Kelley|website=South Florida Sun Sentinel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mynorthwest.com/3332448/florida-governor-considering-punishment-for-broward-sheriff/|title=Florida governor considering punishment for Broward sheriff|date=February 1, 2022|website=MyNorthwest}}</ref> Tony's resume indicates that for years he has also served as an adjunct professor.<ref name="auto15"/><ref name="auto17"/>
Tony started an active shooter training company, Blue Spear Solutions, with his wife in 2015.<ref name="olmeda">{{cite news |title=Broward sheriff used to work for company that sold emergency kits to his agency |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2020/05/12/broward-sheriff-used-to-work-for-company-that-sold-emergency-kits-to-his-agency/ |work=Sun Sentinel |date=12 May 2020}}</ref> From 2016 through 2017, Tony worked as Director of Community Development at North American Rescue, a South Carolina company that sold bleeding-control kits and stations.<ref name="olmeda" />
== Sheriff of Broward County (2019–present)== ===Appointment=== While running for Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis made a campaign promise to replace Broward Sheriff Scott Israel.<ref name=Swisher>{{cite news |title=Newly released records shed light on Gov. Ron DeSantis'hurried vetting' of Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony |first=Skyler |last=Swisher |newspaper=Sun Sentinel |date=June 8, 2020 |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-ne-greg-tony-desantis-background-check-20200608-usoennsjancnjk7ph2n5e4bfra-story.html}}</ref> Press reported that Tony was one of three possibilities for the position, along with former sheriff Al Lamberti and county judge John Fry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.local10.com/news/2019/01/11/with-desantis-announcement-looming-this-could-be-israels-last-day-as-sheriff/|title=With DeSantis' announcement looming, this could be Israel's last day as sheriff|first=Peter|last=Burke|date=January 11, 2019|website=WPLG}}</ref>
According to the ''Sun Sentinel'', newly elected governor DeSantis's vetting of Tony was "rushed."<ref name=Swisher /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.floridabulldog.org/2022/05/what-about-broward-sheriff-lies-scalding-fdle-report-no-decision-yet-from-desantis/|title=What to do about Broward Sheriff, scalding FDLE report? No decision yet from DeSantis|first=Dan|last=Christensen|date=May 6, 2022|work=Florida Bulldog}}</ref> The governor's office requested that a background check be performed on Tony one day before DeSantis appointed Tony to the position.<ref name="auto16">{{Cite web|url=https://tribunecontentagency.com/tns_articles/state-confirms-wider-investigation-into-broward-county-sheriff-gregory-tony/|title=State confirms wider investigation into Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony|website=Tribune Content Agency|date=November 24, 2020 }}</ref>
On January 11, 2019, days after Florida governor DeSantis took office, DeSantis suspended the prior sheriff for allegedly mishandling the Fort Lauderdale airport shooting and the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. DeSantis at the same time appointed Tony the Sheriff of Broward County, Florida.<ref name="auto12">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/ethics-commission-finds-broward-sheriff-gregory-tony-gave-false-info-misused-position/2858217/|title=Ethics Commission Finds Broward Sheriff Tony Gave False Info, Misused Position|first1=Phil|last1=Prazan|first2=Brian|last2=Hamacher|work=NBC Miami|date=September 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flgov.com/2019/01/11/governor-ron-desantis-appoints-gregory-tony-sheriff-of-broward-county/|title=Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Gregory Tony Sheriff of Broward County|date=January 11, 2019|publisher=flgov.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/EO-19-14.pdf |title=State of Florida Office of the Governor Executive Order 19–14 |publisher=flgov.com |date=January 11, 2019 |access-date=2022-09-30}}</ref> DeSantis appointed Tony largely on the recommendation of a parent of a Stoneman Douglas High School shooting victim, who had met and worked out with Tony in a gym.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.floridabulldog.org/2020/05/bso-spent-big-on-bleed-control-kits-from-sheriffs-ex-company/|title=BSO spent big on bleed control kits from sheriff's ex-company|first=Dan|last=Christensen|date=May 11, 2020|work=Florida Bulldog}}</ref><ref name="auto23">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/broward-sheriff-facing-more-controversy-over-drug-use-question-on-job-application/2236312/|title=Broward Sheriff Facing More Controversy Over Drug Use Question on Job Application; Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony, who failed to reveal his arrest on murder charges as a juvenile when he applied for his only Florida law enforcement job, also misrepresented his use of the hallucinogen LSD on that application.|date=May 20, 2020|first=Tony|last=Pipitone|work=NBC Miami}}</ref> ''The Miami Herald'' called Tony "an unlikely choice."<ref>[https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article225234535.html "Local,"] ''The Miami Herald'', February 13, 2019.</ref>
===Union vote of no confidence, and call for Tony's removal=== In April 2020, four days after a 39-year-old Broward Sheriff's Office deputy died from COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida, and after 20 other deputies tested positive for the virus, President Jeff Bell of the Broward Sheriff's Office Deputies Association – a 1,400-member branch of the International Union of Police Associations – criticized Tony over the lack of personal protective equipment for the officers, and Tony's failure to respond to their memos about the situation.<ref name="auto8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/bso-union-president-who-clashed-with-sheriff-fired-after-investigation/2672778/|title=BSO Union President Who Clashed With Sheriff Fired After Investigation|work=NBC Miami|date=January 27, 2022}}</ref><ref name=union/><ref name=vote/> Tony said Bell's actions were "dishonorable."<ref name="auto8"/> Three days later, Tony suspended the union president without pay, and placed him under administrative investigation. Tony then terminated the union president in January 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.local10.com/news/local/2020/04/10/after-public-dispute-with-sheriff-union-president-suspended/|title=Sheriff suspends union president accusing him of politicizing coronavirus|first=Janine Stanwood, Michelle|last=Solomon|date=April 10, 2020|website=WPLG}}</ref><ref name=union>{{cite news|title=BSO deputy dies of COVID-19. 'And we're probably going to lose another'|first=Howard|last=Cohen|date=April 4, 2020|newspaper=Miami Herald|url=https://news.yahoo.com/bso-deputy-dies-covid-19-133142614.html}}</ref><ref name="auto8"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.floridabulldog.org/2022/02/bso-deputy-thurston-fired-for-social-media-post-brass-countermands-3-day-suspension/|title=BSO deputy Thurston fired; brass countermands 3-day suspension|first=Dan|last=Christensen|date=February 11, 2022|work=Florida Bulldog}}</ref>
The union announced a vote of no-confidence by its officers in Tony.<ref name=vote>{{Cite web|title=Deputies vote no confidence in Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony|url=https://www.local10.com/news/local/2020/04/20/broward-sheriff-gregory-tony-no-confidence-vote-results/|last=Anwer|first=David Selig, Terrell Forney, Saira|date=April 20, 2020|website=WPLG|language=en|access-date=May 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502075431/https://www.local10.com/news/local/2020/04/20/broward-sheriff-gregory-tony-no-confidence-vote-results/|archive-date=May 2, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 3, 2020, the union wrote governor DeSantis to formally request that Tony be removed.<ref name="auto7">{{Cite web|url=https://cbs12.com/news/local/bso-deputies-association-asks-desantis-to-remove-sheriff-tony-from-office|title=BSO Deputies Association asks DeSantis to remove Sheriff Tony from office|first=Sabrina|last=Lolo|date=June 4, 2020|website=WPEC}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Broward deputies union asks Gov. DeSantis to remove Sheriff Gregory Tony |publisher=WPLG (local10.com) |first=David |last=Selig |url=https://www.local10.com/news/local/2020/06/04/broward-deputies-union-asks-gov-desantis-to-remove-sheriff-gregory-tony/ |date=June 4, 2020}}</ref> The governor did not take any action.<ref>{{cite news |title=Governor's office passes on union's request to oust Sheriff Gregory Tony |first=Skyler |last=Swisher |date=June 4, 2020 |newspaper=Sun Sentinel |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-ne-bso-union-request-20200604-g5oowf744nfonhty36bnk2gwhy-story.html}}</ref>
=== 2020 election === Tony first ran against Scott Israel (whom he defeated with 37% of the vote, to 35% for Israel) and several lesser-known candidates in the August 2020 Broward County Democratic primary election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://enr.electionsfl.org/BRO/2703/Summary/|title=Summary Results – Election Night Reporting|website=Joe Scott; Broward Supervisor of Elections}}</ref> As of May, Tony had raised $1.1 million, to $0.1 million raised by Israel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/332280-tony-100k-april-bso/|title=Gregory Tony adds more than $100K in April, remains atop BSO field in fundraising|work=Florida Politics|first=Ryan|last=Nicol|date=May 13, 2020}}</ref> In the November general election, Tony then won against Republican H. Wayne Clark and independent Charles "Chuck" Whatley, with 63% of the vote in the overwhelmingly Democratic county.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/elections/fl-ne-2020-election-broward-sheriff-20201104-ymslbgycvjcrhd2y4o2ferkun4-story.html|title=Gregory Tony wins brutally fought race for Broward sheriff|website=Sun Sentinel|author= Eileen Kelley|date=November 3, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The clash between sheriff's candidates Scott Israel and Gregory Tony |first=Anthony |last=Man |newspaper=Sun Sentinel |date=January 17, 2020 |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/elections/fl-ne-broward-sheriff-campaign-scott-israel-gregory-tony-20200117-iarijnewmrhxvfr7giykdohiiy-story.html |access-date=May 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505075400/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/elections/fl-ne-broward-sheriff-campaign-scott-israel-gregory-tony-20200117-iarijnewmrhxvfr7giykdohiiy-story.html |archive-date=May 5, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Discovery of 1993 killing by Tony ==== During the 2020 election campaign, the ''Florida Bulldog'' reported that Tony had shot and killed his neighbor when he was 14 years old and living in Philadelphia.<ref name="auto1" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Boryga |first1=Andrew |title=Report: Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony involved in fatal shooting when he was 14 |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2020/05/02/report-broward-sheriff-gregory-tony-involved-in-fatal-shooting-when-he-was-14/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=3 May 2020}}</ref> Tony was arrested for murder and weapons offenses and initially charged and ordered to stand trial as an adult and held without bail pending a preliminary hearing.<ref name="auto12"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2020/05/04/broward-sheriff-defends-93-shooting-he-kept-secret/|title=Broward sheriff defends '93 shooting he kept secret|website=Tampa Bay Times|author= David Smiley and Charles Rabin|date=May 5, 2020}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/fdle-investigation-broward-sheriff-gregory-tony-lied/|title=FDLE Investigation Finds Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony Lied Multiple Times On Official Documents|website=CBS News|date=February 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Russell|first=Don|date=May 5, 1993|title="Joke" turned sour for 2 pals in North Phila|work=Philadelphia Daily News|page=5|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50019153/philadelphia-daily-news/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gibbons |first1=Thomas Jr. |title=Suspect, 14, surrenders in killing of friend |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50019337/the-philadelphia-inquirer/ |access-date=May 9, 2020 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=May 5, 1993 |page=18}}</ref> The case was then transferred to juvenile court.<ref name="auto20">{{Cite web|url=https://www.floridabulldog.org/2020/05/broward-sheriff-gregory-tony-under-oath-i-had-no-case-sealed/|title=Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony under oath: I had no case sealed|first=Dan|last=Christensen|date=May 6, 2020|work=Florida Bulldog}}</ref> There, he was found not guilty after he maintained that the shooting was in self-defense; the family of the deceased disputed that assertion, witnesses who said they had seen the killing and that the deceased had not been armed nor was it a case of self defense were not called.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="lyons">{{cite news |last1=Lyons |first1=David |title=Witness statements raise questions about Broward sheriff's self-defense claim in 1993 deadly shooting |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2022/09/17/witness-statements-raise-questions-about-broward-sheriffs-self-defense-claim-in-1993-deadly-shooting/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=17 September 2022}}</ref> The court records relating to the killing are sealed.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto21">{{Cite web|url=https://www.floridabulldog.org/2021/04/fbi-probes-broward-sheriff-tony-for-bid-rigging-in-bleeding-control-kits-deal/|title=FBI probes Broward Sheriff Tony for bid rigging in bleeding control kits deal|first=Dan|last=Christensen|date=April 8, 2021|work=Florida Bulldog}}</ref>
Tony did not disclose the killing when he applied for law enforcement jobs.<ref name="auto"/> When asked about the shooting, Tony denied he had been arrested, asserting that he simply went to the police station to provide a statement and was allowed to leave with his father.<ref>{{Cite web|author= Willard Shepard|date=May 4, 2020|title=Broward Sheriff Gives Details on Fatal Shooting When He was 14|url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/broward-sheriff-gives-details-on-fatal-shooting-when-he-was-14/2228801/|website=NBC 6 South Florida|language=en-US|access-date=May 5, 2020}}</ref><ref name="sunsentinel" />
DeSantis did not know about Tony's killing prior to appointing Tony, and it did not come up in a background check of Tony during vetting.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dean |first1=Mensah |last2=Brennan |first2=Chris |title=Fla. sheriff under scrutiny for not disclosing that he killed a man 27 years ago in Philadelphia |url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/gregory-scott-tony-hector-chino-rodriguez-sheriff-broward-county-fatal-shooting-20200504.html |access-date=May 6, 2020 |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |date=May 6, 2020}}</ref><ref name="sunsentinel">{{cite news |last1=Bryan |first1=Susannah |last2=Man |first2=Anthony |last3=Wallman |first3=Brittany |title=Broward sheriff's race rocked by decades-old incident: When Gregory Tony was 14, he killed a man |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-ne-broward-sheriff-gregory-tony-shot-philadelphia-neighbor-20200503-xbaozb6glje7rfx7wyvoccolfq-story.html |access-date=May 6, 2020 |work=South Florida Sun Sentinel |date=May 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505200100/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-ne-broward-sheriff-gregory-tony-shot-philadelphia-neighbor-20200503-xbaozb6glje7rfx7wyvoccolfq-story.html |archive-date=May 5, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> When DeSantis found out about Tony's killing in May 2020, he distanced himself from Tony, but said that the shooting had not come up in the background check because it was self-defense and would not have made a difference. DeSantis added that he would leave the matter for Broward voters to decide.<ref>Swisher, Skyler and Man, Anthony (May 4, 2020). [https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-ne-ron-desantis-tony-comments-20200504-oae67h5dmzfjjax7xl3m7oe2gi-story.html "'I didn't even know the guy.' Gov. Ron DeSantis distances himself from Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony, whom he appointed'"], ''South Florida Sun Sentinel''</ref>
=== 2024 election === Tony was re-elected to a second full term in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moolten |first1=Shira |title=Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony wins reelection, will serve second full term |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2024/11/06/broward-sheriff-gregory-tony-wins-reelection-will-serve-second-full-term/ |access-date=30 March 2026 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=6 November 2024}}</ref>
== Investigations of Tony== Due to a complaint about whether Gregory made misstatements about his past on law enforcement documents, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) began an investigation in May 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=State starts investigating Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony's paperwork|date=May 8, 2020|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-ne-gregory-tony-fdle-investigation-20200508-bnohhwcndvglbpiuatos4cs7wq-story.html|last=Huriash|first=Lisa J.|website=Sun-Sentinel|access-date=May 9, 2020}}</ref> In January 2022, they released a report that alleged that Tony failed to disclose his arrest for the 1993 killing, his driver license suspension, his LSD use, and a charge against him for passing a bad check.<ref name="auto11"/><ref name="auto12"/> Tony could not be charged criminally because the relevant statute of limitations had expired and FDLE referred its report to the Florida Ethics Commission for its consideration.<ref>Terry Spencer (February 1, 2022). [https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2022-02-01/florida-governor-considering-punishment-for-broward-sheriff "Florida Governor Considering Punishment for Broward Sheriff,"], ''U.S. News & World Report''.</ref><ref name="auto11">{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-israel-police-shootings-florida-eeead04da09dfb0f388d8cd525dbe4eb|title=Florida governor considering punishment for Broward sheriff|author=Terry Spencer|date=February 1, 2022|website=AP News}}</ref><ref name="auto12"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-ne-fdle-ethics-commission-greg-tony-20220201-cintbsgkmzedfocfwduqfmo6lq-story.html|title=Gov. DeSantis on Sheriff Gregory Tony: 'We're going to review everything' now that state found he concealed his past on forms|author=Lisa J. Huriash|website=Sun Sentinel|date=February 1, 2022}}</ref>
In June 2022, another FDLE investigation found that Tony had in February 2019 provided false information on his Florida driver's license application by not disclosing a previous license suspension in Pennsylvania.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/criminal-justice-panel-moves-forward-disciplinary-process-for-broward-sheriff-gregory-tony/|title=Criminal justice panel moves forward disciplinary process for Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony|date=June 21, 2022|website=CBS News}}</ref> The Fort Myers state attorney's office did not pursue charges because the driver's license office clerk could not remember the incident with certainty.<ref name="wallman">{{cite news |last1=Wallman |first1=Brittany |title=State finds Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony lied about his murder arrest and much more. But he won't be prosecuted. |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2022/01/31/state-finds-broward-sheriff-gregory-tony-lied-about-his-murder-arrest-and-much-more-but-he-wont-be-prosecuted/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=31 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rabin |first1=Charles |title=FDLE probe finds Broward Sheriff Tony lied about past on forms. But state won't prosecute |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article257905813.html |access-date=11 May 2023 |work=Miami Herald |date=31 January 2022}}</ref> A three-member Florida Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission panel recommended that a disciplinary process be initiated, and that Tony be barred from being a law enforcement officer in Florida.<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.floridabulldog.org/2022/08/broward-sheriff-fights-criminal-justice-standards-commission-move-revoke-police-license/|title=Tony fights Criminal Justice Standards move to revoke police license|first=Dan|last=Christensen|date=August 18, 2022|work=Florida Bulldog}}</ref> In July 2022, Tony filed a request for an administrative hearing to dispute his police license being revoked.<ref name="auto4"/> In May 2024, the administrative judge issued an order recommending that Tony receive a written reprimand, be required to complete ethics training, and be put on 18-month probation.<ref name="huriash3">{{cite news |last1=News Service of Florida |first1=|last2=Huriash | first2=Lisa |title=Judge urges reprimand for Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2024/05/20/judge-urges-reprimand-for-broward-sheriff-gregory-tony/ |access-date=11 September 2024 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=20 May 2024}}</ref> In February 2025, the commission voted to issue a written reprimand, a lesser punishment than what the judge had recommended.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reyes |first1=Cristobal |title=Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony to be reprimanded, state panel says |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/02/06/broward-sheriff-gregory-tony-to-be-reprimanded-for-not-disclosing-prior-drivers-license-suspension-panel-says/ |access-date=30 March 2026 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=6 February 2025}}</ref>
In early September 2022, the Florida Commission on Ethics, at a hearing arising from the FDLE referral, found probable cause that Tony misused his public position when he provided false information or did not disclose information which benefited him in getting his jobs.<ref name="huriash">{{cite news |last=Huriash |first=Lisa J. |title=Sheriff Gregory Tony faces more scrutiny from ethics panel over lies, omissions on forms |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2022/12/07/sheriff-gregory-tony-faces-more-scrutiny-from-ethics-panel-over-lies-omissions-on-forms/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=7 December 2022}}</ref><ref name="cetoute">{{cite news |last=Cetoute |first=Devoune | title=Broward Sheriff Tony lied on job forms, state board alleges. He could be removed from office |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article265829046.html|work=Miami Herald|access-date=11 May 2023 |date=15 September 2022}}</ref> As a result of the ethics commission's statement, Tony was added by Broward state prosecutors to its list of law enforcement officials who could be perceived as having credibility issues that might render their testimony in a trial less than credible.<ref name="huriash2">{{cite news |last1=Huriash |first1=Lisa |title=Sheriff Gregory Tony added to prosecutors' list of cops with potential credibility issues |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2022/09/20/sheriff-gregory-tony-added-to-prosecutors-list-of-cops-with-potential-credibility-issues/ |access-date=11 May 2023 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=20 September 2022}}</ref> In December 2022, the Florida Commission on Ethics, at a hearing arising from a separate citizen complaint, again found probable cause to believe that Tony misused his public position during the appointment process for the Broward County Sheriff position.<ref name="huriash"/> In March 2025, the commission reached a settlement with Tony for him to receive a public censure and reprimand from DeSantis.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Christensen |first1=Dan |title=Gregory Tony cleared: Broward Sheriff ethics case ends without trial |url=https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/local/gregory-tony-cleared-broward-sheriff-ethics-case-ends-without-trial/article_5762d6e2-fefb-11ef-8fb5-db2630cb3fb6.html |access-date=30 March 2026 |work=The Miami Times |date=11 March 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Broward prosecutors also removed Tony from its list of witnesses who have credibility issues.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Olmeda |first1=Rafael |title=Broward sheriff removed from prosecutors' list of witnesses with potential credibility issues |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/10/06/broward-sheriff-removed-from-prosecutors-list-of-witnesses-with-potential-credibility-issues/ |access-date=30 March 2026 |work=Sun Sentinel |date=6 October 2025}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == *[https://sherifftony2020.com/ Gregory Tony 2020 campaign site]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tony, Gregory}} Category:1978 births Category:Date of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:Sheriffs in Florida Category:American people acquitted of murder Category:Law enforcement officials from Florida Category:People from Boca Raton, Florida Category:People from Coral Springs, Florida Category:People from Philadelphia Category:People from Tallahassee, Florida Category:African-American people in Florida politics Category:African-American police officers Category:Florida Democrats Category:Florida State Seminoles football players Category:Nova Southeastern University alumni Category:Tallahassee Community College alumni Category:21st-century African-American people Category:20th-century African-American people