{"id":1204,"date":"2026-05-20T23:34:56","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T23:34:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tampamovingjournal.com\/?p=1204"},"modified":"2026-05-20T23:34:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T23:34:56","slug":"polk-county-deputy-accused-of-stealing-more-than-4k-by-falsifying-time-cards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tampamovingjournal.com\/?p=1204","title":{"rendered":"Polk County deputy accused of stealing more than $4K by falsifying time cards"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A now-former deputy with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is accused of falsifying his time card. Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff’s Office<\/span> <\/p>

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WINTER HAVEN, Fla.<\/strong> – <\/span>A now-former deputy with the Polk County Sheriff\u2019s Office is out of a job after investigators said he falsified his time cards.\u00a0<\/p>

Polk County time card fraud investigation<\/h2>

The backstory:<\/p>

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According to the Polk County Sheriff\u2019s Office, Ezekiel Williams, 25, who had been with the sheriff’s office since 2024, was approved to work light duty at Animal Control because on an ongoing medical issue.\u00a0<\/p>

His hours were Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. \u2013 5 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>

On Mondays, Williams was reportedly approved to use PTO\/FMLA to attend medical appointments.<\/p>

Dig deeper:<\/p>

Investigators said Williams started calling out of work frequently in April 2026 by texting his supervisor.\u00a0<\/p>

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After several occurrences, the supervisor contacted Williams’ law enforcement chain of command with his concerns about Williams not showing up to his light-duty assignment.\u00a0<\/p>

According to PCSO, a preliminary review of Williams\u2019 time card was done and there were discrepancies about the hours he worked versus the hours he falsely claimed to have worked.\u00a0<\/p>

A full investigation that included an audit of each pay period and the hours Williams actually worked, compared to the hours he claimed that he worked showed that during three separate pay periods, Williams falsely claimed he worked 131.5 hours, which totaled $4,318.39, according to PCSO.\u00a0<\/p>

He was arrested and charged with:\u00a0<\/p>