What Can I Do If My Ex-Boyfriend Files False Police Reports Against Me in Florida?
Start a free AI-assisted chat and connect with an experienced Florida attorney, with no obligation.
Reviewed & verified by A. Jason Velez, Esq.*
Managing Attorney, 1LAW · Last reviewed January 1, 2026
Legal Inquiry
Consumer Legal Issue
My now ex-boyfriend is fabricating information and evidence to local law enforcement. I think he is attempting to sue me for the money and gifts he provided to me during our relationship. He started doing this after I declined to reconcile due to his infidelity, anger issues, and alcohol consumption problem.
Attorney Answer
Two different legal issues are tangled together here: what your ex is doing with law enforcement, and whether he can actually sue you to get back gifts and money. Florida law treats them very differently, and it helps to think about each one separately.
Filing false reports with police If your ex is knowingly giving law enforcement information he knows to be false, that is itself a crime in Florida. Florida Statute 837.05 makes it a crime to knowingly give false information to a law enforcement officer about the commission of a crime. If you are contacted by police or learn of an investigation, do not try to explain the whole relationship history on the spot. Politely say you want to speak with an attorney first, and contact a Florida criminal defense lawyer right away. Keep a written timeline of what has happened, along with any texts, calls, or witnesses connected to your breakup and his conduct since.
Could he actually sue you for the gifts? Under Florida law, an unconditional gift, once delivered, generally belongs to the person who received it. Someone cannot usually sue an ex-partner just to get back money or property that was freely given during a relationship. Florida treats an engagement ring a bit differently, as a conditional gift that can be returnable if the engagement ends, but ordinary gifts, cash, or shared expenses during a dating relationship do not typically work that way. If he does file a civil suit, he would need to show something more, such as fraud, a documented loan, or a written agreement that the money was meant to be repaid.
What you can do now 1. Save every message, receipt, and record connected to the relationship and the gifts. 2. Avoid contacting him directly about this; route communication through an attorney if needed. 3. If police contact you, ask for an attorney before answering questions. 4. Consult a Florida attorney who handles both criminal defense and civil disputes, so you have one point of contact if both fronts move forward.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. A local Florida lawyer can review the specifics of your situation and advise you on the best way to protect yourself.
*Attorney review is supported by AI-assisted drafting and legal research algorithms. Use of this Chat does not create an attorney-client relationship.
By using this service you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.
Courts & Legal Aid in Florida
- File or look up a case through the Florida State Courts, which serves Florida and the surrounding area.
- Get free civil legal help from FloridaLawHelp.
- Use the LSC — Find Legal Aid to find a local legal-aid office by ZIP code.
- Use the LawHelp.org to browse free legal information and self-help resources.
- Use the ABA Lawyer Referral Directory to get matched with a local attorney through your state bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my ex-boyfriend get in trouble for lying to the police about me?
Yes. Knowingly giving law enforcement false information about a crime is itself a crime in Florida under Florida Statute 837.05. You can report this conduct to the same police department or the state attorney's office, ideally with an attorney's help.
Do I have to pay back gifts my ex gave me during our relationship?
Generally no. Once a gift is freely given and delivered, Florida law treats it as belonging to the recipient, with narrow exceptions like an engagement ring. Your ex would need to prove something more, such as a loan or fraud, to have a real claim.
What should I do if police contact me about his allegations?
Stay calm and remember you have the right to have an attorney present before answering substantive questions. Contact a Florida criminal defense attorney as soon as possible rather than explaining the relationship history to police yourself.
