An embezzlement investigation led to the arrest of former Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) Finance Director Christina “Nicole” Gore on Monday.

According to an LCSO release, Gore, 44, turned herself in on Monday to the Levy County Detention Facility after a warrant for her arrest was secured by Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigators. Her bond is set at $40,000.

Gore was fired on Jan. 6 after she allegedly embezzled funds for nearly six months before accounting discrepancies were identified and verified. The FDLE investigated the incident and found that Gore had embezzled approximately $23,000.

The longtime LCSO finance director was promoted in 2019 after serving as an assistant finance director in 2015.

“I want to express my appreciation to the FDLE and the State Attorney’s Office for their assistance in this investigation,” said Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum in the release. “I want to ensure my citizens that I will hold my employees accountable. Theft will not be tolerated and as a recipient of the public funds that were stolen I will request prosecution to the fullest extent and full restitution.”