HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. — A now-former Hernando County Sheriff's detective is being criminally investigated after he allegedly stole money from his local Fraternal Order of Police.
The investigation began on Nov. 8 when the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 164 (FOP) told the sheriff's office it suspected their (now-former) treasurer, Detective Bruce Nichols, was using FOP credit and debit cards for his own personal use.
On Nov. 14, the FOP asked the sheriff's office to pursue a criminal investigation.
The following day, on Nov. 15, Nichols resigned from his position with the sheriff's office. The Hernando County Sheriff's Office had employed the 45-year-old since November 2006.
Few other details about the active criminal investigation have been made available, but Sheriff Al Nienhuis did release the following statement:
"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."
