SALISBURY, Md.- The former executive director of the Wicomico Humane Society on Wednesday pleaded guilty to felony theft for stealing of tens of thousands of dollars from the organization.
Aaron T. Balsamo, 32, of Salisbury, was issued a criminal summons and placed on administrative leave in August 2018 upon allegations that he misappropriated the agency's funds.
A forensic audit last year revealed Balsamo made 668 unauthorized purchases with the Humane Society's credit card over the course of two years -- from August 2016 to July 2018 -- totaling nearly $59,000. To ensure conflict-free proceedings, Wicomico State's Attorney Jamie Dykes deferred Balsamo's case to Cecil County prosecutors. Balsamo's guilty plea -- for felony theft scheme of $25,000 to $100,000 -- drew him a 10-year jail sentence from a Wicomico County Circuit Court judge, who suspended all but 90 days, according to a spokesperson with the Wicomico County State's Attorney's Office. Balsamo was expected to report to the Wicomico County Detention Center later Wednesday to begin his sentence.
