Report: Ex-Okaloosa Tourism Director Found Dead After Making Off with Cash

Mark Bellinger

A Florida Panhandle county’s former tourism director died of an apparent drug overdose Friday, a day after being accused of misusing public money sent by BP after the 2010 oil spill to buy a $747,000 home, authorities said.

Mark Bellinger, 52, also had admitted just days earlier to using tax dollars to buy a $710,000 yacht. He said the yacht was to be used for county tourism promotions, though county commissioners said they did not know about those plans.

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