Ex-St. Paul’s Schools employee sentenced for embezzling more than $55,500

A former St. Paul’s Schools employee was sentenced Wednesday to spend three years on probation for embezzling more than $55,500 between 2023 and 2025.

Baltimore County Circuit Judge Julie Glass called the crime “somewhat disturbing” and stated that Melanie Wagner abused her position of trust at the private school.

At the same time, Glass said Wagner expressed remorse for her actions and had already repaid between $19,000 and $21,000. The sentencing guidelines for theft, the judge noted, also called for a punishment ranging from probation to six months in jail.

Wagner, 53, of Parkton, apologized to her former coworkers and employer as well as her loved ones.

“It’s like the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my life,” Wagner said. “I’m really sorry.”

She vowed to repay the rest of the money she stole and never wind up back in court.

David Love, Wagner’s attorney, said his client is a mother of four with no prior criminal record who graduated from Mercy High School and worked as a bookkeeper.

Wagner was in “desperate straits” after her husband lost his job, Love said. She used a Sam’s Club Mastercard for personal expenses and then wrote a check from the school to pay some of the balance, he said.

Love said his client now works at a convenience store and makes minimum wage.

“Ms. Wagner’s taken responsibility for this matter,” Love said. “She has taken this incredibly seriously.”

But Assistant State’s Attorney Dan Scapardine noted that Wagner also used the credit card to pay Southwest Airlines, Disney Resorts, YouTube, Etsy, Amazon and DoorDash.

Most of the dispute centered on the amount of restitution. That’s because the bank has so far refused to waive late fees and interest. Glass ruled that Wagner owes almost $47,000 in restitution.