Stolen valor or smear? Police union-paid ad says Sheriff candidate lied about Army service

An attack video in the Palm Beach Sheriff’s race says Republican Michael Gauger lied about serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

Gauger calls it a “smear.”

The ad – funded by a police union that has donated to incumbent Democratic Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and Gauger’s Primary opponent, Lauro Diaz – claims Gauger “never served in the Army.” It shows Gauger describing himself as an Army draftee.

Because he was. Gauger was drafted, then honorably discharged after a health emergency during boot camp.

He’s filed an Internal Affairs complaint against the Sheriff’s Office’s release for releasing his personal information.

– Jesse Scheckner,  Florida Politics