Former Columbia Nonprofit Leader Sentenced To Jail For Theft

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A woman formerly in charge of a nonprofit in Columbia was sentenced to three years in prison recently for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the organization. As a result of the theft, officials said the office had to close and lay off three employees.

Carrie Diamond, 45, admitted she stole more than $381,000 from the National Society for Histotechnology, according to the state's attorney. She was the executive director of the nonprofit from 2004 to 2015, when she resigned.

Diamond pleaded guilty to one count of theft that was more than $100,000, between 2011 and 2015, court records show.

Police and prosecutors said that Diamond drew from her corporate credit card and the organization's checking account to pay for personal expenses. Specifically, she used her power over the National Society for Histotechnology's funds for the following, according to Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen McGuinn:

• More than $50,000 for two personal vehicles
• $35,000 for parochial school tuition for her daughters
• $31,000 for a Bayliner boat
• $7,400 at Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
• $6,800 to StubHub for concerts and sporting events
• $2,400 for home delivery of milk through South Mountain Creamery

The charges were "astounding," McGuinn said at the Feb. 15 sentencing hearing.

Diamond's successor testified in Howard County Circuit Court that the organization suffered a 32 percent decline in membership because of the thefts.

The nonprofit, which is located on Stanford Boulevard, represents experts who study cells. As a result of the thefts under Diamond, her successor said the office had to close its physical location and lay off staff, according to a statement from the state's attorney.

The office is completely virtual now, without an actual building but with a mailing address of Ellicott Mills Drive in Ellicott City, according to the executive director.

Judge Richard Bernhardt sentenced Diamond to 20 years in prison with all but three years suspended.

"Three persons lost their jobs because of you,” Bernhardt said at sentencing. "It’s difficult to me that you couldn’t comprehend the fullness of what you were doing every day."

Diamond, of the 300 block of Montpelier Court in Westminster, was sentenced to three years in jail and will be on supervised probation for three years following her release. She also has to reimburse the Society for Histotechnology as part of her restitution. Court records show she must pay $231,004.46 to National Society of Histotechnology. She must also submit to a mental health evaluation and complete treatment.

Image via Shutterstock.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to reflect that the office had to close permanently, not temporarily.