HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. – A former Hernando County Sheriff’s deputy and treasurer of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 164 is under investigation for allegedly using FOP funds for personal expenses.
The investigation was initiated after the FOP notified the Sheriff’s Office on November 8th of their suspicions regarding Bruce Nichols, 45, who served as the organization’s treasurer. Following an internal review, the FOP formally requested a criminal investigation on November 14th.
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Nichols resigned from his position with the Sheriff’s Office on November 15th.
Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis said, “Despite Nichols having a career marked with significant achievements, we can assure the victim organization and the public, the investigation will be thorough and complete. It is our hope that the investigation will either definitively exonerate Nichols or provide the State Attorney with a prosecutable case that will allow the victim organization to obtain justice.”
Nichols had been with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office since November 2006.
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The investigation is ongoing, and further details will be released as they become available.
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