FORMER CHAMBER PRESIDENT ARRESTED

The former president of the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce has been arrested for stealing more than $77,000 in Chamber funds. 45-year-old Valerie Lott, of Crestview turned herself in at the Okaloosa County Jail yesterday afternoon on a charge of grand theft over $20,000. Investigators say they found evidence that Lott stole money by using the Chamber credit card for personal purchases, she forged Chamber member signatures on checks, and made cash withdrawals from Chamber bank accounts. The investigation began in August 2017 when a new Chamber President went to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office after being contacted by multiple vendors about overdue unpaid bills.

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