Former top election official in Albemarle accused of embezzling public funds

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A former top election official in Albemarle County is accused of embezzling public funds.

The Albemarle County Police Department began investigating suspected financial misconduct within Albemarle County's Office of the Registrar in August. Investigators learned that, between January and August, about $34,000 in public funds were used to make private purchases.

Warrants were obtained for Lauren E. Eddy, who served as the county's general during the time period when this money was spent.

Eddy, who turned herself in on Thursday, Oct. 9, faces counts of felony embezzlement and one count of felony forgery. She has since been released on bond.

In a general sense, a locality's registrar's office is responsible for overseeing vital parts of that locality's local elections. The person appointed to lead such an office, a registrar, is described by the Virginia State Board of Elections as "the public face of the local electoral process," who maintains voter rolls and engages with the public about voter registration, among other duties.

According to CBS19, the Albemarle County Electoral Board accepted Eddy's resignation from her role of registrar as of Aug. 12. An interim registrar has since taken her place while the board continues to search for a permanent replacement.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing. If you have any information, you are asked to contact the Albemarle County Police Department at 434-296-5807.