Annapolis Office Worker Indicted for Embezzling $42K

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Checks totaling more than $42,000 were allegedly written by an office worker for a political action committee to herself, according to a state prosecutor. Marta Gates-Jones, 57, of Annapolis, the former office manager of the Washington, Maryland, Delaware Service Station and Automotive Repair Association, is charged with felony theft and fraudulent filing under oath.

According to Emmet C. Davitt, state prosecutor, Gates-Jones stole $42,650 between January 27, 2012, and July 31, 2015, from the Service Station Dealers Political Committee PAC. Gates-Jones had access to a stamp with the signature of the PAC’s treasurer, and part of her job was to file the PAC’s campaign finance reports. Prosecutors say Gates-Jones used her access to write numerous checks payable to herself and cashing those checks for her personal use.

The theft charges carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine.

Authorities say Gates-Jones also lied on the PAC's 2014 annual campaign finance report by fraudulently listing several advertising expenses that she was reimbursed for. That charges carries a maximum 10 year jail term.

A spokesman for the service station trade association told the Capital-Gazette it has cooperated with prosecutors since the missing money was noticed.

"It's a very unfortunate thing," said Roy Littlefield III. "We've got a schedule, and we're getting the money back."