BRISTOL, Fla. (WTXL) — The Liberty County Supervisor of Elections has been arrested after FDLE investigators say she and a friend fraudulently used more than $40,000 for personal purchases.
The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office arrested Liberty County Supervisor of Elections (SOE) Gina McDowell on one count of organized scheme to defraud and two counts of official misconduct on Friday.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement's investigators found that over a period of several years McDowell and a companion utilized more than $40,000 in SOE funds for personal purchases not associated with official business for the office.
The investigation also showed that McDowell tried to hide the fraud by making misrepresentations in public records. A warrant for one count of organized scheme to defraud was obtained for McDowell’s companion Nolan Kobe Pigott.
State Attorney Jack Campbell’s Office assisted with the investigation.
McDowell was booked into the Liberty County Jail on Friday. The same day, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order suspending her from office.
McDowell has been serving as the county's supervisor of elections since 2013.
