Man Facing Federal Embezzlement Charges Is County Employee

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (AP) -- A man who's facing federal charges of embezzling money from employees of a nonprofit health organization is working as a fiscal officer for the Howard County government.

County government spokesman Andy Barth tells our media partner  The Baltimore Sun that William "Kris" Hathaway works in the county's Department of Citizen Services.

Barth says Hathaway underwent a background check before he was hired and there was nothing found that would have prevented him working for the government. He declined to comment further.

Hathaway is the former CEO of Baltimore Behavioral Health, which offered mental health and addiction treatment. Federal prosecutors allege that the company held onto payroll tax dollars due to the IRS and that Hathaway mishandled $344,000.

Hathaway's attorney has said his client is not accused of taking money for personal gain.

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