A former Franklin County School Board member was indicted Tuesday by a grand jury on felony charges of embezzling money and could face up to 20 years in prison.

Steve Flora, who had served 14 years on the board and resigned abruptly last month, is accused of embezzling money and property from 1996 to 2007 from the Penhook Minute Market in Franklin County, where he worked as a manager.

Flora was not employed at the store at the time of the indictment.

Neither Flora nor store owner Danny Perdue could be reached for comment after repeated calls.

"It's always a disappointment when an elected official is even accused of criminal misconduct," said Henry County Commonwealth's Attorney Bob Bushnell, who will serve as special prosecutor in the case.

Bushnell's counterpart in Franklin County, Cliff Hapgood, removed himself from the case because he said he knows Flora and also that Flora had been a prosecution witness for Hapgood in the past.

Lt. Tim Lyon of the Virginia State Police said he was contacted by Bushnell to investigate the case Sept. 18 because Flora was an elected official.

"It normally takes us this long to investigate the case because we have to go through so many documents," Lyon said.

Bushnell would not say how much money or property was taken but said Flora is charged with grand larceny by embezzlement.

Grand larceny by embezzlement is when the value of the property or goods exceeds $200, Bushnell said.

It would be "inappropriate" to comment on whether a plea agreement could be worked out with Flora, Bushnell said.

Flora made $400 a month as a school board member, according to Lee Cheatham, finance director for the division.

Citing unspecified family commitments, Flora resigned during a school board meeting last month. His 14-year tenure is one of the longest served by a county school board member. He had more than a year of his present term left.

School Superintendent Charles Lackey said he and the school board members were surprised by the indictment of Flora.

"Steve Flora was a respected member of the board and served with distinction," Lackey said. "He was very child-oriented. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family with what must be a very difficult time right now."

Charles Wagner, chairman of the board of supervisors, said there had been rumors circulating that Flora might be involved in embezzling money -- but said he was still shocked when Flora resigned.

"I don't think it [Flora's indictment] affects the job the school board does," Wagner said. "We all have to keep working."