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Investigation clears Orange Co. sheriff after crime stats allegations

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced Wednesday that it determined Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings did not misrepresent statistics to indicate crime was down in the county.

In August, John Tegg, Republican candidate for sheriff, accused Demings of instructing officers to downgrade burglary charges to theft in an effort to keep crime statistics down.

"I appreciate the professionalism and objectivity displayed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement during this investigation.  It is unfortunate that individuals conspired to create the controversy for their own political gain and thereby waste the time and valuable resources of FDLE investigators and the Orange County Sheriff's Office," Demings said in a press release.

Tegg was defeated by Demings in the November election.