Indictment Announced in Carroll Arts Center Embezzlement Case

CARROLL COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY ANNOUNCES INDICTMENT OF FREDERICK WOMAN FOR ALLEGED THEFT SCHEME FROM WESTMINSTER NONPROFIT

Carroll County State’s attorney, Haven N. Shoemaker, Jr., announces an Indictment of a Frederick woman, Randi Lynn Ryan, age 48, related to a Theft Scheme $1,500 to under $25,000, from the Carroll County Arts Council, Inc. (Arts Council), a non-profit agency.  A Carroll County Grand Jury handed down an Indictment on Thursday, February 22^nd.

On Thursday, February 22, 2024, Randi Lynn Ryan was indicted by the Grand Jury for Carroll County for Theft Scheme $1,500 to under $25,000.  It is alleged that on or between October 15, 2021, and September 20, 2023, Ryan stole money from her employer, Carroll County Arts Council, a local non-profit.

The State contends that the evidence to be presented at trial would show that Ryan was employed as a Financial Coordinator with the Arts Council and was issued a Bank of America credit card to use for Arts Council business.  In June 2023, the Arts Council Board requested a formal audit, and an outside accounting firm was hired to complete the audit. Ryan was to assist the firm by turning over all documents needed to complete the audit. Ryan was not compliant in turning over the requested documentation, and misrepresented to the Board that she did turn over the requested records when, in fact, she had not.

On September 29, 2023, the Executive Director of the Arts Council notified Ryan that she needed to come into work so her credit card could be accessed. Ryan stated to the Executive Director that she was too sick to come in and told her that she had used her Carroll County Arts Council credit card to purchase something, confusing it with one of her personal cards. The Executive Director was eventually able to review the statements and discovered that Ryan had been using her Arts Council credit card for personal use as far back as October 2021. The Executive Director confronted Ryan and informed her of her discovery and Ryan asked her not to fire her and Ryan stated that she would “pay it back.”

Further investigation by the Westminster Police Department determined that from October 15, 2021, through September 20, 2023, Ryan made over 100 unauthorized purchases using the Arts Council’s credit card that was assigned to her, totaling $11,669.77. At no time did Ryan have permission or the authority to make these purchases.

On Thursday, February 22, 2024, Ryan was indicted by the Carroll County Grand Jury on one count of Theft Scheme- $1,500 to under $25,000, and a warrant was issued for her arrest. Ryan was subsequently arrested and then released on $12,000 secured bond.  A court hearing, an Initial Appearance, has been set for March 15, 2024, to determine if Ryan is represented by an attorney.

“The alleged thefts by Ryan from a local nonprofit that led to this Indictment represent a blatant breach of trust, one that this Office will prosecute with vigor and tenacity,” exclaimed State’s Attorney Haven Shoemaker.

Individuals who are charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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