FL Police Hire Cop Fired For Lying And Excessive Force, Say He's A 'Nice Guy'

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A former Orange County Sheriff's Office deputy who was fired for excessive force is now working elsewhere as a police officer, WFTV has learned.

Jeff Iannuzzi was fired from the Orange County Sheriff's Office in 2010, but was later hired at the Ocoee Police Department.

Ocoee city leaders defended their decision. Sources told WFTV reporter Shannon Butler that Iannuzzi is a nice guy, but has had some anger issues during arrests.

He was sworn in two weeks ago. They did not address his past firing, but said he is qualified for what he is doing now.

A little more than four years ago, Brandyn Reynolds told WFTV that Iannuzzi slammed his head into a patrol car and tried to choke him.

"He was just rough, like trying to rough me up the whole time for no reason," said Reynolds.

Reynolds filed the complaint that launched an excessive force investigation on Iannuzzi.

"He tried to bounce my head like a basketball three or four times," said Reynolds.

The sheriff's office fired Iannuzzi saying he not only used excessive force, but lied.