Saferwatch CEO Geno Roefaro is facing Federal bribery charges in a scheme to gain a contract with the NYPD, the US Department of Justice announced on Thursday. According to the DOJ, after Saferwatcher failed to secure contracts with the New York Police Department, Roefaro “bribed” an NYPD official with multiple cash payments, vacations, high-end dinners and even a helicopter ride. In exchange for the bribes, the official “pressured others, including other high-ranking officials at the NYPD and the City Council of New York, to procure goods and services from [Saferwatch].”
Roefaro, a Pompano Beach resident, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and one count of honest services wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and one count of bribery.
Saferwatch offers a crime reporting app that is used by the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) and the Broward Schools District.
Roefaro is a staunch supporter of Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony. He made multiple large financial contributions to Tony’s campaigns via the Broward First political committee.
In return, Sheriff Tony has repeatedly sung the praises of Saferwatch. Tony made videos touting the Saferwatch app and even made public appearances with Roefaro.
Tony is featured prominently on the Saferwatch website. “It is of the utmost importance that no one in Broward County feels unsafe. The SaferWatch App gives anyone the ability to send non-emergency text, video, and audio tips from your smartphone directly to us,” Tony writes. “It’s a fast, easy, and effective way to report a threat or something suspicious. Become a part of the safety solution. Download the SaferWatch App today.”
In 2024, published reports detailed Roefaro’s role in Sheriff Tony’s bid to be the “kingmaker” in the Miami-Dade Sheriffs election.
Campaign reports “disclosed that Tony’s political action committee, Broward First, gave another $100,000 to [James] Reyes’s Safe & Secure PAC.” At the time of the report by the Florida Bulldog, Tony’s PAC made a total of $250,000 in contributions to Reyes’ committee.
According to the report, Roefaro contributed $49,500 to Reyes.
Reyes, a Democrat, lost the election to his Republican opponent Rosie Cordero-Stutz.
