Baltimore lawmaker’s ex-treasurer charged with theft of $87,000 in campaign cash

A Baltimore lawmaker’s former campaign treasurer has been charged with taking money from his campaign account — more than $87,000 — without his knowledge, according to court documents.

Maryland State Prosecutor Charlton T. Howard, III charged Melissa Ann Smith in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County with felony theft scheme, embezzlement, and perjury. Smith worked for Del. Luke Clippinger, a Democrat who represents Downtown, South and Southeast Baltimore in the General Assembly.

The complaint alleges Smith was “systematically stealing funds raised by the committee” between 2018 and 2025.

Smith wrote herself dozens of checks over the eight-year span, deposited them in her own account and failed to disclose the transactions on required campaign finance reports. She then signed the reports under penalty of perjury, according to the complaint.

“Treasurers of campaign finance committees have an important role in ensuring funds raised to support a political candidate are used to benefit the purpose of the campaign,” Howard said in a statement announcing the charges. “Our Office strives to hold individuals in positions of public trust in the electoral process accountable if they violate that trust for personal financial gain.”

Smith did not respond to a voicemail left on a phone number listed to her.

Clippinger, when reached by text, declined to comment because of the open case against Smith. He’s provided information to the prosecutor’s office when requested, he said.

Clippinger said in January he’d reported Smith to the prosecutor after learning there were questionable withdrawals from his account, according to online news site Maryland Matters.

Clippinger replaced Smith with Sophia Silbergeld, a longtime Democratic fundraiser and campaign strategist to some of Maryland’s most powerful politicians. Clippinger won reelection on Tuesday and also serves as an assistant state’s attorney for Anne Arundel County.

If convicted, Smith could face prison time or fines up to $15,000.