The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and State Attorney Norm Wolfinger announced today the arrest of former Chief Deputy Lance Larsen of the Brevard County Property Appraiser's Office.

An information charging Larsen with one count of grand theft in excess of $20,000 but less than $100,000, a second-degree felony, and seven counts of official misconduct, a third-degree felony, was filed today with the Brevard County Clerk's Office.

The arrest is the result of a criminal investigation conducted by FDLE and the State Attorney's Office of the 18th Judicial Circuit that began in December 2006 following complaints of alleged misconduct within the Property Appraiser's Office. Larsen allegedly illegally devalued various properties of Brevard County citizens resulting in a loss of $61,000 in revenue to Brevard County that cost the victims, the tax payers of Brevard County, approximately $61,000 in revenue.

Larsen surrendered to authorities at the Brevard County Jail, accompanied by his attorney, and was arrested by FDLE agents. Larsen was booked with a bond of $19,000.00 that was set in accordance with the bond schedule.

For questions regarding the arrest and investigation, please contact FDLE Melbourne Field Office Resident Agent in Charge of the Brevard County Field Office Robert "Wayne" Ivey at (772) 216-3529 or State Attorney Wolfinger at (321) 617-7544 or 617-7548. Wolfinger and Ivey will be available at 4 p.m. at the Viera State Attorney's Office to answer questions although legal parameters will limit their comments.