Las Vegas, Nevada: Former Lieutenant Tim Bedwell and Wife Indicted in $60,400 Nonprofit Theft
Tim Bedwell, a former North Las Vegas police lieutenant who later led Lutheran Social Services of Nevada, and his wife Michele each face a felony theft count. Prosecutors say the two converted $60,400 from the nonprofit in 2024.
Key points
- A Clark County grand jury has indicted former North Las Vegas police lieutenant Tim Bedwell and his wife Michele Bedwell on felony theft charges, accusing the two of taking $60,400 from Lutheran…
- Tim Bedwell and Michele Bedwell each face one count of comprehensive theft involving $25,000 or more but less than $100,000, a category B felony, according to the court records.
- Tim Bedwell served as chief executive officer of the nonprofit during that period, according to prior public statements he made about the organization's work.
A Clark County grand jury has indicted former North Las Vegas police lieutenant Tim Bedwell and his wife Michele Bedwell on felony theft charges, accusing the two of taking $60,400 from Lutheran Social Services of Nevada. The indictments were filed on November 6 in Clark County District Court, according to court records reported by Las Vegas Focal and FOX 5 Vegas.
One theft count each, tied to his time as the nonprofit chief
Tim Bedwell and Michele Bedwell each face one count of comprehensive theft involving $25,000 or more but less than $100,000, a category B felony, according to the court records. Prosecutors allege the two fraudulently converted $60,400 belonging to Lutheran Social Services of Nevada for unauthorized personal gain between January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025.
Tim Bedwell served as chief executive officer of the nonprofit during that period, according to prior public statements he made about the organization's work. The indictments do not detail how the alleged conversion took place, and no additional charges have been announced.
From the police department to a sheriff run
Bedwell spent years as a lieutenant with the North Las Vegas Police Department and ran unsuccessfully for Clark County sheriff in 2018, a race he lost to Joe Lombardo, who later became governor of Nevada. After leaving the department, he moved into nonprofit leadership and became the public face of Lutheran Social Services of Nevada, an organization that helps Las Vegas Valley families with food assistance, housing support and other basic needs.
During the grand jury proceedings, a judge ordered indictment warrants for both defendants. Bail was set at $64,000 cash only for Tim Bedwell and $60,400 cash only for Michele Bedwell, and the judge barred both from contacting former board members of Lutheran Social Services of Nevada. Arraignments will be scheduled once the two are taken into custody, and no future court dates had been set as of Friday.
Under Nevada law, a category B felony is punishable by one to six years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000, with sentencing set by the court. Attorneys for the Bedwells were not listed in the court records reviewed on Friday, and no public statements from the couple or their representatives were available. The charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Timeline
- Jan 1, 2024Prosecutors allege Tim Bedwell and Michele Bedwell began fraudulently converting funds belonging to Lutheran Social Services of Nevada. Tim Bedwell served as the nonprofit chief executive in this period.
- Jan 1, 2025End of the period named in the indictments, in which prosecutors allege $60,400 was converted for unauthorized personal gain.
- Nov 6, 2026Clark County grand jury indictments are filed against Tim Bedwell and Michele Bedwell, one felony theft count each, with cash only bail set and no contact orders for former board members.