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There are new allegations against embattled Miami Police Chief John Timoney by his own police officers' union as we learn that the investigation is widening into his use of a free car.

The Miami Dade State Attorney's Office of Public Corruption is reportedly making inquiries about Timoney's fee free car deal which was first revealed in a CBS4 investigation.

According to CBS4'S Gary Nelson, sources say the inquiries by those public corruption investigators may be a prelude to a formal criminal investigation.

This information came on the same day that Chief Timoney came under further attack from the Miami Fraternal Order of Police which leveled new accusations against him.

The President of the Miami FOP, Detective Armando Aguilar, said Timoney permitted crime statistics to be altered to reflect a lower crime rate.

"A burglary changed to a theft, another assault changed to a disturbance, another assault changed to a disturbance, a robbery changed to a theft," said Aguilar at a Friday morning news conference

The union produced police reports and dispatch logs that support the claim that crime stat have been doctored under orders from commanders who are under intense pressure to present a rosier picture no matter what.

Timoney called the charges "pretty serious" and fired a preemptive strike Thursday when he called for an independent probe into the union's allegations.

"I'm going to request an outside agency to come in and do an independent audit of how we track our crime statistics," said Timoney.

An investigation continues into the chief's acceptance of a free luxury Lexus SUV, something he first denied but later admitted to driving the car for more than a year.

"I kept that vehicle for too long, because there's a perception that's been created that somehow I was getting something for nothing," said Timoney.

The officers' union didn't agree that the issue with the Lexus is only about perception.

"He not only accepted the gift but failed to report it and was untruthful when first questioned about it. These are severe violations to our departmental orders," said FOP President Armando Aguilar.

Timoney insisted he broke no laws but acknowledged that his use of the Lexus RX Hybrid provided by the Lexus of Kendall dealership raises ethical questions. Timoney has asked the city manager and the city's ethics board to determine if he did anything wrong.

Chief Timoney also said Thursday that he doesn't plan to resign over his controversial car deal especially since he paid for the SUV, at full sticker price.

"I work for the manager and the mayor," said Timoney. "They will determine my future, so let's see what it is."

City Manager Pete Hernandez says he'll await the results of an ethics investigation, and Mayor Manny Diaz told us he has already corrected his mistake. There are no apparent plans on his end to fire the chief.

"He made a mistake, he's admitted his mistake, he's corrected his mistake," said Diaz.

The Florida Department of Revenue has also opened an "inquiry" into Timoney's free use of the luxury SUV.

In addition, Miami's Police Union will vote on September 4th on whether to declare a lack of confidence in their leader.

Timoney said Thursday that it's not uncommon for organizations like FOP to call for votes of no confidence and in no way, shape or form does he plan to resign.

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