Former EMA official accused of embezzlement

The former deputy director of Bedford County Emergency Management Agency was named in a 70-count indictment claiming embezzlement, according to law enforcement and court sources.

Eugene Nichols turned himself in to the Bedford County Sheriffs Department Tuesday after he was charged with theft of property and forgery, according to Kristen Helms of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Nichols, 43, allegedly diverted a total of $117,000 in funds from the county's Emergency Management Agency to a personal account over a period of several years, according to state officials.

The 70 counts against Nichols include one count of theft over $60,000; 38 counts of theft from $1,000 to $10,000; two counts of theft between $500 and $1,000; two counts of theft under $500; one count of theft between $10,000 and $60,000; and 26 counts of forgery.

Helms said the investigation was conducted by the state comptroller's office and that TBI assisted with the investigation.

The matter was brought to the comptroller's office's attention in August by Bedford County Finance Director Robert Daniel, according to Roxanna Pierce, communications officer with the state comptroller's office.

Once the comptroller's office made its findings, the evidence was handed over to District Attorney Chuck Crawford, Pierce said. The 70-count indictment was handed down by the Bedford County grand jury on Monday.

Pierce stated that financial records dating from July 1, 2003, until July 30, 2007, have been examined and that the investigation is still ongoing.

Nichols is free on $75,000 bond and will appear in Bedford County General Sessions court on Dec. 22.