Tag Archives: Broward Sheriffs office

SAFERWATCH CEO, A Close Ally Of Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony, Facing Federal Bribery Charges; Allegedly Bribed NYPD Official with Cash, Vacations & Helicopter Rides

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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.”

Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony promotes the Saferwatch app.

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.

Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony And Command Staff Flying First Class Around The World

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Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony flew first class to Romania
Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony’s pricey trip to Brazil

Broward Sheriff Gregory spent the last six months begging, cajoling and (some say) bullying Broward County and local municipalities to add more money to his budget. Tony claims the money is desperately needed to pay employees being squeezed by living costs in South Florida. From the Sheriff’s demeanor at public meetings and social media, one might think it is penny-pitching time at BSO, right?

Not when it comes to Gregory Tony’s globetrotting.

REDBROWARD obtained travel records for overseas trips by Sheriff Tony and his command staff.

In September, Tony plastered his official social media accounts with pictures from his trip to Romania. Tony’s travelogue included a visit to the Romanian border with Ukraine.

One thing Tony never mentioned was the cost of the trip.

According to the records, Sheriff Tony’s penny-pinching ways stopped at the county line.

Tony and two members of his staff flew first-class from Miami on Delta Airlines. Tony & Co. flew to Atlanta where they caught another first-class flight to Frankfurt, Germany.

In Germany, the guys hopped aboard a Tarom Airlines flight to Bucharest.

Eight days later, Tony flew on Tarom Airlines to Amsterdam. Once in Amsterdam, Tony boarded a first-class flight to Detroit, Michigan and then a connecting flight to Miami.

The price Tony’s first-class tickets was $5,785.61 round trip.

The total cost for the three BSO bigwigs was $17,314.83 round trip.

Earlier this year, Sheriff Tony and a BSO Colonel made a pricey trip to Brazil.

Two tickets on Azul Airlines were $7,831.44 round trip.

Once again, Tony documented his pricey trip on official BSO social media.

If money is so tight at BSO, why is Sheriff Tony and staff buying first class tickets?

If money is tight, why is Sheriff Gregory Tony flying to Romania, Brazil and elsewhere?

BSO insiders believe the trip was funded by a charity associated with BSO.

Nobody at BSO had a better use for the $25K spent on first class travel?