Opening arguments begin Wednesday in the trial of former Jefferson County Clerk Kirk Reams

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – After a mistrial earlier this year and a postponement earlier this week, the trial of former Jefferson County Clerk of Court Kirk Reams has begun. He faces fraud and theft charges for allegedly embezzling county funds.

Reams is one of three people arrested by the FDLE in September 2023. They are accused of spending county funds on things like advertising and sponsorships and “misusing the county purchasing card (P-Card) to pay for non-office related travel expenses.”

Three months ago, a mistrial was declared after one of the co-defendants, Charles Culp, took the witness stand and referred to previous charges against Reams that were not relevant to the case at hand.

Both of Reams' co-defendants accepted a deal with prosecutors in exchange for their testimony against him.

Jury selection was completed Tuesday after being postponed Monday, and testimony could drag on into next week.

WCTV's Staci Inez is in the courtroom and will provide detailed coverage on Eyewitness News at 5 and 6.

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