FDLE Closes Credential Probe Against Sheriff Al Lamberti
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the state attorney's office has closed a case against Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti after allegations surfaced that he credentialed his teenage son for the 2010 Super Bowl, despite not being a BSO employee.
After a year long investigation, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that FDLE investigators determined no laws were broken when Nick Lamberti, then 15, was given a free ticket to the game, usually reserved for media, game, and law enforcement officials.
"Everyone involved in issuing the credentials knew this kid and that he was there to accompany his dad," said Lamberti's lawyer, Bruce Udolf about the game held in Miami Gardens. "We believe false allegations that were made were politically motivated."
Lamberti is up for re-election in November.
Sheriff Lamberti defended his actions to FDLE investigators, saying his son aspires to be in law enforcement after finishing school
"Everybody knows my son…This is kind of a matter of routine for me; I mean, I take him everywhere I can take him," said Lamberti.
On the day of the game, Lamberti and his son rode in the front of the Indianapolis Colts BSO SWAT and motorcycle escort from the team's Plantation hotel to Sun Life Stadium. Investigators found that at no time did Nick Lamberti pose for pictures with the players or staff of the team.
According to statements made to FDLE, Sheriff Lamberti took Nick home at halftime and then returned to the game, because it was a school night.
Lamberti is not out of the woods just yet; a sources tell the paper that a similar complaint was filed against the sheriff with the Florida Commission on Ethics. The commission will look into and make a ruling on the allegation when it meets on March 30th.
Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
