GA Shark Researcher Who Stole $450K From FL Nonprofit Headed To Prison

BRADENTON, FL — The former treasurer of the American Elasmobranch Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to shark and stingray research, pleaded no contest to felony charges of scheme to defraud ($50,000 or more) and fraudulent use of personal identification information, according to a Bradenton Police Department news release.

Dr. Christine Bedore, 45, a former biology professor at Georgia Southern University and a shark researcher featured on National Geographic’s “SharkFest” was sentenced to 36 months in the Department of Corrections, followed by 27 years of probation.

She also must pay $452,953 in restitution to the nonprofit, $20,000 of which was paid in court on Wednesday, police said.

• Also Read: 'Shark Week' Featured Researcher Stole $300K

Bedore was arrested by Bradenton police in February 2024.

Detective Michael Carpenter began investigating her in November 2023 after the president
of the organization discovered Bedore had fraudulently used the nonprofit's finances for more than five years, starting in 2018.

The organization, the world’s oldest and largest society devoted to the scientific study of sharks and their relatives, uses a Bradenton mailing address.

Subpoenaed financial records show that Bedore used the organization’s checking and savings accounts for personal shopping and expenses, including medical procedures, a vehicle, subscription services, utilities, pet insurance, travel, and entertainment, police said.

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Bedore also bought laboratory specimens and equipment for her university research.

Several members of the society, including student researchers, were present for Bedore's hearing.

“The American Elasmobranch Society (AES) is satisfied to have reached a conclusion in this case and to begin to put this financially damaging and emotionally/psychologically painful event
behind us. This will allow us to focus on our efforts to rebuild AES finances and restore the trust
and confidence of our community of dedicated shark and ray scientists, especially our young
student members who were particularly wronged by the defendant's actions,” the organization said in a provided statement. “We are hopeful that this judgment represents the start of a good-faith effort by the defendant to accept responsibility and show remorse for her actions and work towards rebuilding her life.”