Broward County leaders denied access to BSO headquarters as budget showdown intensifies

The budget showdown between Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen and Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony is continuing to intensify.

Bogen went to the Broward County Sheriff's Office headquarters on Monday morning to demand access for details on what he calls "wasteful spending," but he wasn't let inside.

And that's exactly what was expected to happen.

Video showed Bogen and some county commissioners arriving at the front door, holding paperwork stating that they owned the building and wanted to be let inside.

"It's 10 a.m. We're going in," Bogen said.

When he reached the front, a deputy stopped him.

"We'd like to enter the building, and we'd like to only go to the gym, the unsecured area of the gym," Bogen said.

Bogen, along with two commissioners, several administrators, and a group of supporters, was denied access.

"We are told to tell you that all tours have to be scheduled through the office of the sheriff," a deputy told him.

Bogen and other commissioners specifically want to see the inside of the fourth-floor gym and spa, where he says the sheriff spent money on luxury items, including a cold plunge and a sauna.

"If the voters want him to have 10 cold plunges, 10 saunas, whatever. That's fine," he said. "Let the voters at least know about it. That's all."

Tony said they have been audited before and that the Broward County Commission knew about the cold plunges and sauna from a county audit completed in 2024.

So, CBS News Miami asked Bogen about the audit.

"The 2024 audit did show, did state that this was there," he said. "Yes, it's two years ago, and so only until recently, when he stopped coming to us, and talking about how he was investigating, it made me, I don't know about my other commissioners, think about what is going on," he said.

Bogen then tried to enter the sheriff's office to see the facility for himself and showed paperwork from the property appraiser, which lists the commission as the building's owners.

Video shows a deputy denying access to the mayor and Broward commissioners 

"I was told to tell you that all tours have to be scheduled through the office of the sheriff," a deputy was heard saying.

"Yeah, I did contact the sheriff," Bogen responded. "I already texted him, so I did make the contact."

The front door was locked. Carolyn Drakas was caught in the middle while there to get fingerprinted.

"Well, that's a shame because we have work to do. I have a notice that says if I'm not here by 10:30, I won't be able to conduct my job," Drakas said.

At issue is the gym in the training building and upscale amenities. Commissioners want the sheriff to open the books.

"We have no idea how much his total budget is. He won't share it with us. We have no idea how he spends his money," Commissioner Steve Geller said.

Sheriff Gregory Tony warned them on Sunday that they would not be allowed in because the commission is under state investigation for a feasibility study.

"We cannot allow this moment to turn into politics. I will not allow this organization to be bullied or intimidated by anyone," Tony said.

In a new allegation, the sheriff accused Bogen of a quid pro quo, saying he met with the mayor to discuss pay raises and was later asked via email to donate to a political action committee.

"I am not for sale to anyone. They will never purchase me, and they will never break my spirit to fight like hell for the people of this community," he said.

Tony sent the donation request email to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Bogen said Tony asked him to send information about a medical screening initiative on the ballot and described the request as a form letter. He called Tony a compulsive liar.

"Any time someone stands up to the sheriff, he calls them a liar. He calls them corrupt," Bogen said.

This isn't the only issue that the BSO has been facing recently regarding its budget.

The county voted to remove BSO Fire Rescue from the sheriff and is considering taking back security for the airport and seaport, the jail, and the 911 center.

Deerfield Beach is also parting ways with the BSO.

Bogen said they will hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday at 9 a.m. to take legal action against the BSO for refusing to let them inside.