Former shark researcher convicted of fraud; on the hook for $453,000 restitution
May 21, 2025
Case #: 2023-009703
Today, Dr. Christine Bedore, the former treasurer of the American Elasmobranch Society (AES), a 501(c)(3) 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.
Bedore, 45, a former biology professor and 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, $20,000 of which was paid to AES in court today.
The Bradenton Police Department arrested Bedore in February 2024.
Detective Michael Carpenter began investigating Bedore in November 2023 after the president of AES discovered Bedore had fraudulently used the nonprofit's finances for over five years, beginning in 2018. AES is the world's oldest and largest society devoted to the scientific study of sharks and their relatives. The nonprofit organization uses a Bradenton mailing address.
Financial subpoenas indicate that Bedore used the AES checking and savings accounts for personal shopping and expenses, including medical procedures, a vehicle, subscription services, utilities, pet insurance, travel, entertainment, and more. Bedore also purchased laboratory specimens and equipment for her research at Georgia Southern University.
Several members of AES, including student researchers, were present for Bedore's hearing.
The American Elasmobranch Society provided the following statement and additional information about the organization to BPD for release:
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. 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. We thank the staff of the Bradenton Police Department, the Office of the State Attorney, 12th Judicial Circuit, and all other law enforcement agencies and other individuals who contributed to the resolution of this case.
About the American Elasmobranch Society
The American Elasmobranch Society (AES) is the world's oldest and largest society devoted to the scientific study of sharks and their relatives. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the society obtains its revenue from membership dues and member fundraising activities, along with charitable donations. This includes the tireless actions of AES student member volunteers, who oversee the society's largest annual fundraisers at our annual meeting. The society's operating funds are used to support the costs of its annual meeting, where students and professionals present new, often groundbreaking research on sharks and their relatives. Society funds also support a variety of grant programs intended to support student travel to our annual conference, as well as the research activities of shark biologists at the beginning of their careers.
Christine Bedore