Ex-Baltimore County Official Gets Jail Time In Embezzlement Case

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — A former Baltimore County official was sentenced to six months in jail Monday for stealing more than $140,000 in campaign funds and contributions, according to reports.

William McCollum, former deputy director of economic development for Baltimore County and a longtime fundraiser for Democratic candidates, pleaded guilty to theft and perjury charges in May. In his plea, McCollum confessed to stealing more than $31,000 from the Baltimore County Victory Slate and more than $111,000 from Friends of Cathy Bevins, the financial committee of ex-Baltimore County Councilwoman Cathy Bevins.

In addition to jail time, a judge ordered McCollum to serve three years probation following his release, the Baltimore Banner reported.

“The level of deceit is sickening to me,” Bevins said at his sentencing on Monday in Baltimore County Circuit Court, according to the Banner's report.

The Maryland Office of the State Prosecutor filed charges against McCollum earlier this year. Prosecutors accused McCollum of exploiting campaign resources for a vacation in Puerto Rico with a romantic partner and for trips to Florida and Iceland. The expenses were not recorded in the campaign finance reports, prosecutors said.

The Baltimore County Victory Slate was founded by former Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. in 2006 to financially support his favored political candidates. Members can funnel limitless amounts into the fund, which are then distributed to members or candidates without restrictions.

In August 2020, McCollum was appointed as the interim director of economic development for Baltimore County. He discontinued his county employment in 2021 following reports of excessive expenditure at the Baltimore County Agricultural Center, a position he was appointed to in 2010.

Even after leaving the county, McCollum was reportedly paid for nearly a year by making use of his accrued sick leave.

Patch's Van Fisher contributed to this report.