We reported in August that something seemed to be up with the shock sudden resignation of Lauren Eddy, the director of elections and general registrar in Albemarle County.
Now we know what was up.
Eddy, 45, of Charlottesville, has been charged following an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of county funds, specifically, $34,000 that police say went toward private purchases unrelated to county business.
Eddy has been charged with two felony counts of embezzlement and a third felony forgery count.
Per Albemarle County Police, Eddy turned herself in on Thursday, and after her arrest, she was released on an unsecured bond.
Eddy had served as the registrar and director of elections in Albemarle County since 2022, after being promoted from the deputy registrar position.
In all, Eddy had worked for 20 years in the county registrar office prior to her resignation in August.
Just three weeks before her resignation, the Albemarle County Electoral Board met to complete a required annual performance review for Eddy, and the minutes of that meeting tell us that Clare Belle Wheeler, the board’s chair, “moved to commend Lauren for being with us today, for doing a splendid job, and for her service to the Board and to Albemarle County.”