Update - July 18, 2024:
Griswold received a suspended 18-month sentence, plus two years probation, which means she will avoid any prison time.
Update:
Griswold has pleaded guilty to misconduct in office, admitting to accepting a check for personal use when it was intended to satisfy a state tax bill. Prosecutors say Griswold has since reimbursed the state. Sentencing is scheduled for July 18. According to their website, Griswold is still heading up Anne Arundel County's Register of Wills.
Original Story:
Anne Arundel County's Register of Wills has been indicted by state prosecutors for alleged theft and misconduct in office.
Erica Griswold, who was elected to office in November 2022, is accused of keeping an inheritance tax payment that was owed to the state.
Last June a county resident wrote a $6,645.00 cashier's check to Griswold to satisfy a non-probate inheritance bill.
Six days later prosecutors say Griswold cashed the check at her personal bank.
Meanwhile, the resident who wrote the check continued receiving letters from the Register of Wills stating they still owed money.
The resident finally called Griswold's office last August, asking why they continued getting notices when they'd already paid.
Prosecutors say Griswold was fully aware of the resident's inquiry, yet never reimbursed the state for the money she took.
WMAR is reaching out to Griswold's office for comment. As of Thursday morning Griswold was still active in her role as Register of Wills, according to her Facebook page.
