Bend, Ore. – A former Deschutes County sheriff’s captain is accused of stealing more than $200,000 from the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team. Scott Beard was fired Friday after FBI agents took him into custody for theft, money laundering, and passport fraud.
Deschutes County Sheriff Shane Nelson says he became aware of discrepancies in confidential funds managed by Beard back in September, 2015. During the past 5 months, Nelson agreed with the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office to give the federal criminal investigation priority over taking employment action against Beard. That criminal investigation resulted in a federal criminal indictment Wednesday.
Nelson says a transition audit revealed the discrepancies done upon him taking office. These accounts involved investigative funds, which were used by the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office detectives.