HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has arrested Patrick Bailey, the former treasurer of the Hillsborough County Republican Party, on charges of embezzling party funds for personal use.
Bailey, 50, was taken into custody on December 12, 2024, in the 300 block of Lake Drive in Brandon by the HCSO Economic Crimes Section.
According to investigators, Bailey illegally transferred funds from the party’s business account to his personal bank account and wrote himself personal checks. In total, Bailey is accused of embezzling $14,400 from the Hillsborough County Republican Party’s accounts.
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Detectives uncovered the fraudulent activity through a detailed investigation, which revealed false entries in the organization’s financial records.
Bailey was arrested without incident and is now facing the following charges:
- False Entry in Books of Business Entity
- Grand Theft Third Degree ($10,000 – $20,000)
When someone exploits their position to take what doesn’t belong to them, it hurts the organization and the people who trusted them,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Our detectives worked diligently to uncover the truth and hold this individual accountable. We hope this serves as a reminder that trust and integrity are the foundations of our community, and we are here to protect them.”
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