NORFOLK, Neb. -- Former North Fork Area Transit director Jeffrey Stewart was denied a reduction in his bond when he appeared in court on Tuesday. 

According to court records, Stewart's bond will stay at 10% of $500,000. 

Stewart also requested to leave Nebraska, which was overruled. 

All of the conditions are to remain as they were. 

Stewart is being charged with felony theft, with authorities accusing him of embezzling approximately $750,000.

Approximately seven months after authorities announced that they were seeking the arrest of Stewart, he turned himself in at the border of Texas and Mexico last month.

Stewart was previously asked in an earlier court hearing how much money he had available, and he stated $0.

Stewart is accused of embezzling money for flights, purchases at casinos, meals at area restaurants, home goods and more, all for personal use, according to investigators.

An audit issued by the Nebraska State Auditor's office also levied allegations against Stewart from his time running the transit operation.

NFAT was unable to make payroll on Dec. 16, shortly after Stewart submitted a request to the board for medical leave. The board then sought $88,155.59 from the Norfolk City Council to ensure employees were paid.

The service was forced to cease operations on Jan. 6 due to a lack of funds. Operations resumed in the spring after a successful fundraising campaign brought in $1 million -- $500,000 from the community and a matching $500,000 donation from the Johnny Carson Foundation.

During that time, Stewart was in Mexico. In a phone interview prior to his arrest, Stewart claimed he was dealing with “mental health issues" at the time of his departure from Nebraska. 

Stewart also claimed that he was unaware that police were searching for him. Madison County officials said they had been searching for him since December.

Stewart said in a phone call to News Channel Nebraska on July 13 that the funds that had been reported missing from North Fork Area Transit had to do with longer wait times for reimbursement from the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Stewart's next court hearing has been set for Sept. 26 at 2:45 p.m.