An unnamed Montgomery County Council staff member “inappropriately charged $11,400 worth of reservations for county athletic fields to the county’s Active Montgomery account,” according to an investigation by the Montgomery County Office of Inspector General.
That account is how residents reserve and pay for public spaces, request permits and register for classes.
The employee has been placed on administrative leave, according to Council President Evan Glass.
The matter has been referred to the state Office of Inspector General, the county’s Ethics Commission and the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office.
According to the investigation, during 2022 and 2023, the “employee intentionally misled staff” and had them believe the reservations for athletic fields were made on behalf of the county council “when in fact they were doing so for the benefit of their spouse.”
The employee received permits worth $19,190 of which $11,400 were reserved under the council’s Active Montgomery account and never paid for.
According to the report, attempts to receive payment were ignored and “at times the employee made reference to their position at the County Council. During the investigation, the employee also intentionally made false statements.”
The staff person, according to the Office of Inspector General, violated abuse of prestige of office, misappropriations, false statements during the course of an investigation and misconduct by a public employee.
When asked by MCM, Glass did not name the employee or their office.
“Council employees, like elected officials, have a profound duty to maintain the public’s trust and adhere to Montgomery County’s ethical standards, policies and laws. While I cannot comment on the specifics of a personnel matter, I want to assure our residents that allegations of inappropriate or unethical behavior, misappropriation of government services or abuse of power are thoroughly investigated, and personnel discipline is implemented when appropriate,” Glass wrote in a statement.
He also noted, “As soon as this personnel matter was brought to the attention of the Council’s executive director, it was turned over to the Montgomery County Office of the Inspector General for an independent investigation. In response to the findings of the investigation, the employee has been placed on administrative leave and appropriate action is being taken by the Council’s executive director under Montgomery County’s personnel regulations.”
Glass said the council will “pursue all appropriate action in this matter to ensure accountability. The Council takes all ethics rules and personnel matters extremely seriously.”
