Overview
- Chief Tony Araujo upheld the firings Thursday after the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Internal Affairs investigation sustained multiple policy violations by command staff.
- Investigators documented specific post‑software overlapping entries, including 55 for Capt. Troy Marchese and 40 for Capt. Joseph Ahern, and found some leaders admitted lapses in oversight.
- The probe focused on whether command staff continued overlapping time entries after a July 2022 payroll system change that was meant to prevent such overlaps.
- The Palm Beach County State Attorney previously declined criminal charges, and internal affairs used a lower administrative standard to sustain policy violations.
- The Fraternal Order of Police says the conduct reflected long‑standing department practices, alleges evidence was omitted, and will pursue binding arbitration while the case raises questions about discipline, morale and public trust.