The former treasurer of the Hillsborough County Republican Party, Patrick Karry Bailey, 50, was arrested Thursday after investigators found he had stolen $14,400 from the party’s bank account. Bailey allegedly wrote checks to himself and made unauthorized electronic transfers to his personal account.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Bailey committed the theft after serving as treasurer from January to November. Investigators found two checks made payable to him, along with four unauthorized transfers, all coded in the party’s accounting software under “PKB Bookkeeping Services” – a service that was never agreed upon.
Bailey was arrested at his home in Brandon and charged with grand theft and falsifying business records. He was released after posting $5,000 bail.
The Hillsborough GOP’s leadership expressed disappointment, with chairperson Carmen Edmonds stating that the incident would not overshadow the party’s goals for the upcoming midterm elections.
Sheriff Chad Chronister emphasized that the arrest serves as a reminder of the importance of trust and integrity in the community.
