Former Visit PCB VP pleads not guilty to all remaining charges

Aaron Lee faces charges of grand theft and fraudulent use of a credit card.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 5:01pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up of a crumpled, torn financial document reflecting harsh, dramatic lighting, conceptually representing the investigation into financial impropriety.The investigation into alleged financial misdeeds at the Panama City Beach tourism office has uncovered troubling evidence.Panama City Beach Today

Former Visit Panama City Beach Vice President of Administration Aaron Lee pleaded not guilty to all remaining charges against him in court on Thursday. Lee was first arrested on January 3 and charged with grand theft over $100,000 and five counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, to which he had previously pleaded not guilty.

Why it matters

The charges against Lee relate to his time as a high-ranking official at Visit PCB, the tourism organization responsible for promoting Panama City Beach. The case has raised concerns about financial impropriety and misuse of public funds within the organization.

The details

Lee was accused of stealing over $100,000 from Visit PCB and fraudulently using the organization's credit cards. He has now pleaded not guilty to all remaining charges against him, indicating he plans to fight the allegations in court.

  • Lee was first arrested on January 3, 2026.
  • Lee pleaded not guilty to the initial charges on January 5, 2026.
  • Lee appeared in court again on April 16, 2026 to plead not guilty to the remaining charges.

The players

Aaron Lee

The former Vice President of Administration at Visit Panama City Beach, who is facing charges of grand theft and fraudulent use of a credit card.

Visit Panama City Beach (Visit PCB)

The tourism organization responsible for promoting Panama City Beach, Florida, where the alleged financial impropriety took place.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The case will now proceed to trial, where a judge and jury will determine Lee's guilt or innocence on the charges.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of financial oversight and accountability within public-facing organizations that are entrusted with taxpayer funds. The outcome of the trial will have significant implications for the reputation and operations of Visit PCB going forward.