Maryland Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing $185k from Employers

AG: Maryland News

Filed March 16th, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

Carolyn Rae Aldridge pleaded guilty to two felony theft schemes, stealing a combined $185,296.28 from two Maryland employers between 2017 and 2021. She stole over 100 checks from ABC Builders and 13 checks from the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund. Sentencing is scheduled for August 11, 2026.

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What changed

The Maryland Attorney General announced that Carolyn Rae Aldridge pleaded guilty to two felony theft schemes, admitting to stealing a total of $185,296.28 from two former employers. In the first scheme, Aldridge, an office manager at American Builders Corporation, Inc., stole 96 checks totaling $173,004.43 between August 2017 and January 2021. In the second scheme, she stole 13 checks totaling $12,291.85 from the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund between January 2020 and February 2021, where she worked in the fiscal department.

This case highlights the risks employers face from internal fraud, particularly when employees are in positions of financial trust. Employers should review internal controls, segregation of duties, and check handling procedures to prevent similar occurrences. While this is an individual prosecution, the scale of the theft underscores the importance of robust oversight. Aldridge is scheduled for sentencing on August 11, 2026, and faces potential penalties associated with felony theft convictions.

What to do next

Review internal financial controls and check handling procedures.
Assess segregation of duties for employees with financial responsibilities.
Ensure robust oversight mechanisms are in place for financial transactions.

Penalties

Felony theft conviction with potential penalties including imprisonment and fines.

Source document (simplified)

Anne Arundel County Woman Pleads Guilty to Two Felony Theft Schemes After Stealing Over 100 Checks from Her Former Employer

Published: 3/16/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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BALTIMORE, MD – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced today that Carolyn Rae Aldridge, 56, of Crofton, Maryland, pleaded guilty in two separate felony theft schemes in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County before the Honorable Stacy W. McCormack. Aldridge admitted to stealing a combined total of $185,296.28 during the two schemes.

In the first scheme, between August 2017 and January 2021, Aldridge stole 96 checks from her then-employer, American Builders Corporation, Inc. (ABC Builders), for a total loss of $173,004.43. Aldridge worked as the office manager for ABC Builders and used her position to steal the checks and deposit them into her personal bank account. ABC Builders is an Anne Arundel County-based small business engaged in home improvement and general contracting services.

In the second theft scheme, between January 2020 to February 2021, Aldridge stole 13 checks from her then-employer, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF), for a total loss of $12,291.85. Aldridge stole the checks while working as an associate in the fiscal department for MAIF. All the checks were deposited into her personal bank account. Established by the Maryland General Assembly, MAIF is an independent Maryland automobile insurance provider.

A Grand Jury for Anne Arundel County handed down two indictments charging Aldridge with both felony theft schemes on June 27, 2025. Aldridge is scheduled to be sentenced on August 11, 2026.

In making today’s announcement, Attorney General Brown thanked his Criminal Division, specifically Division Chief Katie Dorian, Fraud and Corruption Unit Chief Alexander Huggins, and Assistant Attorney General Timothy Lake, who prosecuted this case. Attorney General Brown also thanked Maryland Insurance Administration Investigator William Wagner and former Forensic Auditor Suzzanne Jones. Finally, Attorney General Brown thanked State’s Attorney for Anne Arundel County Anne Colt Leitess for her assistance with this prosecution.