Former Manatee Sheriff's Detective Accused Of Stealing Funds

BRADENTON, FL - A former detective with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office was arrested Wednesday, Sept. 13, after being accused of stealing $2,800 from the sheriff's investigative fund.

The sheriff's office began investigating Christopher Gallagher, 31, on Aug. 28 after supervisors became suspicious of a “Use of Investigative Funds Receipt” for a narcotics purchase of $60.

The sheriff's office said it discovered Gallagher had stolen a total of $2,800 on 33 occasions since November 2017.

Gallagher started working at the sheriff's office in 2008 and was assigned to the Special Investigations Division's Tactical Two Unit as an undercover narcotics detective. According to the sheriff's office, Gallagher reportedly took money from the investigative fund and then falsified the receipts and the signatures of other deputies, allowing him to pocket the funds.

“Gallagher has disgraced the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and betrayed the trust of our employees and the public,” said Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells. “Now, he will face the consequences of his actions.”

He was fired on Aug. 28 after admitting to taking the money, and this week was charged with official misconduct and scheme to defraud.

Image via Manatee Sheriff