Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen ripped into Sheriff Gregory Tony on Tuesday, accusing the top law enforcement official of grandstanding, bullying and hiding behind \u201cridiculous, disparaging videos\u201d instead of having an honest dialogue about spending.<\/p>\n
The unusually harsh rhetoric came a day after Tony announced he was suspending budget negotiations with the commission while the county faces scrutiny from the statewide prosecutor\u2019s office<\/a>. Prosecutors haven\u2019t specified a reason for an investigation, though subpoenas issued last month show their review includes looking into the county\u2019s contracts with a consultant for law enforcement studies at the airport and seaport.<\/p>\n The sheriff on Monday announced he was suspending<\/a> budget negotiations with county leaders, saying any such discussion would not be \u201cprudent.\u201d He was not at the county meeting Tuesday. Bogen said the budget negotiations ended weeks ago when the county passed a budget.<\/p>\n \u201cWe already passed the budget, so I don\u2019t know what you\u2019re suspending,\u201d Bogen said before mocking the sheriff\u2019s declaration that Broward citizens deserve stable government, responsible stewardship of public resources, fairness, and accountability.<\/p>\n \u201cI certainly agree that we do,\u201d Bogen said. \u201cSo let us audit your budget, sheriff! \u2026 If you believe in accountability, let us audit your $850 million budget so we can have accountability to the people of Broward County. \u2026 We need to audit your budget so you\u2019re not above scrutiny.\u201d<\/p>\n County Auditor Bob Melton weighed in with a rare, public criticism of an elected official. Melton chastised Tony for ignoring suggestions to improve the delivery of law enforcement services at the airport. Recommendations \u201cthat were not implemented were because the sheriff did not cooperate or furnish the detailed data,\u201d Melton said. \u201cMany of them dealt with the sheriff\u2019s failure to provide actual expenses to compare to the budgeted expenses. \u2026 This is not proper stewardship on the part of the sheriff.\u201d<\/p>\n Tony has not appeared personally before the commission since May. Instead he has posted numerous videos to the sheriff\u2019s social media pages arguing his case without interruption or questioning from elected officials, which drew more criticism from Bogen on Tuesday.<\/p>\n \u201cStop bullying us,\u201d Bogen said. \u201cStop doing your ridiculous, disparaging videos. Be professional and come and talk like a professional.\u201d<\/p>\n The commission voted unanimously to begin a process that would ultimately lead to a county takeover of 911 services from the sheriff by next October. Some commissioners initially balked at the idea in the absence of further study, but Bogen pointed out studying the matter would be part of the process, and that Tony has already made it clear a dialogue on any issue is off the table for now.<\/p>\n The South Florida Sun Sentinel has reached out to the Sheriff\u2019s Office for comment.<\/p>\n