Former LCSO Finance Director Nicole Gore arrested, accused of embezzling $23K

Levy County Sheriff's Office (LCSO)

Bronson, Florida - On March 24, 2025, forty year-old Nicole Gore of Bell, Florida, the former Finance Director for the Levy County Sheriff's Office, was arrested as the result of an embezzlement investigation conducted by the the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

Ms. Gore was suspected of embezzling funds for almost six months before discrepancies were identified and verified, according to Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum. To ensure transparency, Sheriff McCallum requested that the FDLE conduct the investigation, which determined that Ms. Gore had embezzled approximately $23,000 from the LCSO.

According to LCSO Lieutenant Scott Tummond, after a warrant for Gore's arrest was secured by FDLE investigators, Ms. Gore turned herself in at the Levy County Detention Bureau in Bronson, Florida. She was charged with one count of fraud by swindling to obtain property in the amount of $20,000 or more but less than $50,000, and one count of fraud by illegal use of a credit card more than two times within six months to obtain money or goods in the amount of $100 or more. Her total bond was set at $40,000.

Ms. Gore's employment with the LCSO was terminated by Sheriff McCallum on January 6, 2025. Gore had been hired by the LCSO in the capacity of assistant finance director in 2015, and in 2019, she was promoted to finance director.

“I want to express my appreciation to the FDLE and the State Attorney’s Office (District Eight) for their assistance in this investigation," said Sheriff McCallum. "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.”