Local
Broward helicopter funding claim challenged amid budget dispute
Jeff Lefcourt told deputies that he and about 20 others paid roughly $5 million for a Broward Sheriff’s Office helicopter. County records show commissioners approved $15 million for replacement aircraft, while unnamed sources said Lefcourt’s account was not true.
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — A South Florida donor’s claim that he and a group of private contributors bought a Broward Sheriff’s Office helicopter is being disputed by people described as high-ranking sources, as the sheriff and county commissioners spar over the agency’s finances.
Jeff Lefcourt made the claim to deputies responding to a false alarm at his classic-car collection in September 2025, according to body-camera footage. Lefcourt said about 20 people contributed and described the helicopter as costing $5 million. He also said the others had written checks totaling about $400,000.
The account conflicts with public funding records. After a fatal BSO helicopter crash in summer 2023, the Broward County Commission approved $15 million for a replacement. Records show Sheriff Gregory Tony later ordered three helicopters and sought county funding to cover the costs. The available public documents do not show private contributions for a helicopter already funded through the county allocation.
On Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, unnamed sources high in the agency’s chain of command disputed Lefcourt’s account, saying the arrangement he described did not happen. They stopped short of calling him a liar. Lefcourt did not respond to requests for comment that day.
The dispute comes as Tony seeks a larger budget and commissioners press for a more detailed accounting of the $870 million currently allocated to BSO. The sheriff, an elected official, is not required to provide the accounting sought by commissioners, according to the report.
The footage also captures Lefcourt describing Tony as a friend and saying he could help deputies access the sheriff’s office training-center gym. Those remarks are separate from the central question of who paid for the aircraft, which remains contested.