BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA) — Bradenton police arrested a Biology professor and researcher on Tuesday who stole more than $300,000 dedicated to shark and stingray research.
Christine Bedore, 44, a biology professor employed at Georgia Southern University, traveled from Georgia to Bradenton to turn herself in.
Police detective Michael Carpenter began an investigation on Bedore in November 2023 after the non-profit’s, American Elasmobranch Society, president found that she was stealing from their organization’s checking and savings account.
The nonprofit works with students and researchers in marine biology with sharks and stingrays.
“She appeared to be putting her own personal interests, above the work of other scientists,” Meredith Censullo, the PIO with the Bradenton Police Department said.
Bedore was the organization’s former treasurer since 2018. Over the past five years, officials said she made several electronic transfers and transactions of more than $300,000 to use on personal expenses.
Police said these expenses included medical procedures, a car, subscription services, items on Amazon, utilities, pet insurance, travel, entertainment, and laboratory specimens and equipment.
The AES released a statement Wednesday saying:
The American Elasmobranch Society is a non-profit organization that seeks to advance the scientific study of living and fossil sharks, skates, rays, and chimaeras, and the promotion of education, conservation, and wise utilization of natural resources. In November, 2023 the American Elasmobranch Society confirmed it was the victim of financial fraud. On Tuesday, February 27, 2024 the former American Elasmobranch Society treasurer, Dr. Christine Bedore, turned herself into the Bradenton, Florida Police Department in connection to this finding. She has been charged with felony scheming to defraud in excess of $50,000 and criminal use of personal identification in excess of $100,000. Both charges are first-degree felonies. This information has been made public by the Bradenton Police Department. This news is very unfortunate. However, our members are continuing with the important research and conservation work that supports our mission. Our dedication to support the next generation of scientists in the discovery and conservation of sharks, skates and rays will continue to remain strong.
Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza, Past President
“The point of that society is to continue to improve on scientific research and to foster research among younger generations of students,” Censullo added. “She actually ended up possibly hurting that research because she put her personal desires above the scientific community.”
Georgia Southern also released a statement on her arrest.
“We are aware of an ongoing investigation that has led to the arrest of an employee. The University is working with authorities and following our own policies to work through this situation.”
Bedore is being charged with felony scheming to defraud of more than $50,000 and criminal use of personal identification of more than $100,000.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Michael Carpenter at michael.carpenter@bradentonpd.com or report it anonymously to Crime Stoppers at manateecrimestoppers.com or 866-634-8477.
This remains an ongoing investigation.