Ashley Honored as a “True Hero of Florida”
AUGUST 28, 2009
Okaloosa Chief Deputy Received the Senate Medal of Excellence for Bringing Down “Culture of Corruption”
Senator Don Gaetz described Larry Ashley as someone parents should tell their children about – “a man who held his honor and his oath above everything, risking his career to put wrong things right.”
Senate President Jeff Atwater called Okaloosa’s Chief Deputy a “true hero of Florida” while decorating him with the Senate Medal of Excellence, the legislature’s highest award for service to the people of Florida.
The plaudits came this morning at the Emerald Coast Conference Center where a standing room only crowd applauded Ashley for his central role in investigating and ending an illegal bonus kickback scheme operated by Sheriff Charlie Morris. Morris pleaded guilty to federal charges and is on his way to prison.
In late 2008, Ashley, then a member of the Sheriff’s Office management team, suspected wrongdoing and began his own unauthorized investigation. He uncovered a pattern of large bonuses being given to some Sheriff’s employees with substantial portions of the money then returned in cash to Morris. Ashley brought in the FBI, which credits him as the person most responsible for ending the “culture of corruption” that pervaded the Sheriff’s high command.
In accepting the award, Ashley praised his fellow law enforcement officers who he said were earning and restoring the public’s confidence in the Sheriff’s Office. Ashley’s family and current Okaloosa Sheriff Ed Spooner and Escambia Sheriff David Morgan were among the attendees.
AUGUST 17, 2009
Okaloosa Lawman Exposed “Culture of Corruption” That Led to Conviction of Former Sheriff Morris
When Larry Ashley decided to investigate his boss’ suspicious money-handling practices he knew he was putting his own job and career at risk. What Ashley didn’t know then was that the “culture of corruption” he exposed would send Sheriff Charlie Morris to a federal penitentiary.
Now Ashley, the chief deputy of the sheriff’s department, will be honored by the Florida Senate for his role in ending the widespread illegality that permeated the county’s top law enforcement office.
Senator Don Gaetz has nominated Ashley for the Senate Medal of Excellence, the legislature’s highest award that can be bestowed on a citizen of Florida. Senate President Jeff Atwater (R-Palm Beach) will join Gaetz in presenting the honor to Ashley on August 28 in Fort Walton Beach.
“Larry Ashley could have done what others did – take the money and turn his back,” Gaetz (R-Niceville) said, in recommending the award. “Instead, he acted on his deep commitment to his oath as a sworn officer of the law and his sense of obligation to his community. Because Larry Ashley put honor above all else, a culture of corruption was exposed and ended. Because of Larry Ashley’s integrity and courage, Okaloosa County’s trust in law enforcement can be re-earned and restored.”
In late 2008, Ashley, a member of the command team in the sheriff’s office, suspected wrongdoing when he heard about “bonuses” paid to departmental staff and sworn officers, who then returned part of the money to Morris. He instituted an “unauthorized investigation” of the sheriff and took the initiative to involve the Federal Bureau of Investigation on January 10, 2009.
The sheriff was arrested on February 27, pled guilty to six federal felonies on May 19 and was sentenced on August 10. He still awaits trial on state charges. Ashley is credited by the FBI as the person most responsible for bringing down Morris and ending the intricate bonus scheme.
“Morris’ removal as sheriff, his arrest by federal agents, and his confession and conviction occurred because an honest, courageous officer stood up against corruption and illegality,” Gaetz explained. “Out of this sorry, sordid tale of broken trust comes a person of integrity and guts who we can point to with pride and gratitude.”
