Maryland State Prosecutor Charlton T. Howard, III, announced that on November 5, 2026, a criminal information was filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, charging Melissa Ann Smith with felony theft scheme, embezzlement, and perjury. According to the charges, Smith embezzled $87,155.33 from the Friends of Luke Clippinger bank account from February 2018 through at least December 2025 by writing checks to herself and failing to disclose the expenses on campaign finance reports.
The criminal information alleges that Smith prepared, signed under penalties of perjury, and filed these reports with the State Board of Elections without the knowledge or approval of the candidate. A copy of the charging document can be found here.
Press Release: Maryland Office of the State Prosecutor
Published November 5, 2026. Reproduced in full from the Maryland Office of the State Prosecutor.
November 5, 2026 Former Treasurer of Political Committee “Friends of Luke Clippinger” Charged with Felony Theft Scheme, Embezzlement, and Perjury.
Maryland State Prosecutor Charlton T. Howard, III, announced today that a criminal information has been filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, Maryland, charging Melissa Ann Smith, the former treasurer of the campaign finance committee, Friends of Luke Clippinger, with felony theft scheme, embezzlement, and perjury.
According to the charges filed today, Ms. Smith, who served as treasurer for Friends of Luke Clippinger, was systematically stealing funds raised by the committee. The charges allege that from February 2018 through at least December 2025, Smith embezzled $87,155.33 from the Friends of Luke Clippinger bank account by writing checks to herself and electronically depositing the checks into her personal bank accounts without the knowledge or approval of the candidate.
The criminal information also alleges Smith failed to disclose the expenses on the required campaign finance reports that she prepared, signed under penalties of perjury, and filed with the State Board of Elections.
“Treasurers of campaign finance committees have an important role in ensuring funds raised to support a political candidate are used to benefit the purpose of the campaign,” said State Prosecutor Howard. “Our Office strives to hold individuals in positions of public trust in the electoral process accountable if they violate that trust for personal financial gain.”
All individuals who are charged with a criminal offense are presumed to be innocent.
A copy of the charging document can be found HERE.