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State: Ex-commissioner behind bogus body armor that doesn't stop bullets

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A former Ocoee city commissioner's body armor business is under investigation by the state because of sales made at gun shows.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents said they believe former Ocoee City Commissioner Scott Anderson sold bogus body armor at gun shows throughout Florida that investigators say didn't stop anything when tested.

Agents said Anderson along with two other men, Scott Williams and Arami Rodriguez, worked out of the Ocoee business to manufacture the vests and made good money selling them.

"It's very disturbing that an individual that was in some version of a public service agency would do such a thing and not understand the consequences," said Daniel Warren of the FDLE.

Anderson, Rodriguez and Williams were arrested. However, Anderson and Williams bonded out, authorities said. Rodriguez was still in custody of U.S. Marshals Monday night.

Channel 9 was told the investigation started when someone who bought bulletproof vests that were advertised as being made by Point Blank Body Armor became concerned about the vests' authenticity.

“You're a former city commissioner, should you know better?" asked Channel 9’s Kenneth Craig as Anderson bonded out of jail Monday.

Anderson didn't say a single word.

Authorities said Point Blank outfits 80 percent of the law enforcement agencies in the state.

A representative from Point Blank told Channel 9's Karla Ray that the company tested the suspect bulletproof vests at a lab in Pompano Beach and bullets passed through the vests.

"We had that tested and every round went through it. It does not do what it's supposed to do at all," said Warren. "If an individual is wearing this, God forbid they get shot. It will not do what it's supposed to do."

Officials believe the sales of substandard body armor had been going on for five years, and the fake vests, labeled with high-end brands, were going for at least $600 apiece for the past two years. Agents said thousands may have been sold.

Ocoee's mayor said Anderson served as a commissioner for more than 10 years and did a good job.

“Well, it's a surprise, it certainly is,” Mayor Scott Vandergrift said.

Authorities said they're going to be investigating whether he used that position and political power to get away with the scheme for the last five years.

“That's always a possibility, but I'm not aware of him using his powers to do that,” Vandergrift said.