An Annapolis man who was president of the Oyster Harbor Citizens Association for nearly a decade was found guilty Monday of using nearly $20,000 of the organization’s money to pay for personal expenses.

Eric Epstein, 64, paid $18,344 in restitution and will serve two years of supervised probation, according to Heather Stone, spokesperson for the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office. He will avoid jail time as long as he doesn’t violate his probation conditions. It is unclear to whom the restitution was paid. Epstein was sentenced by Anne Arundel County Circuit Judge Stacy W. McCormack.

As president — a volunteer position — Epstein controlled the association’s bank account, which was meant to be used for “community-related expenses.”

Between November 2016 and May 2022, he used $18,344 from an Oyster Harbor account to make 68 transactions with Comcast and a veterinarian service in Crofton. A detective wrote in charging documents that the Comcast account associated with the payments was a company owned by Epstein’s wife.

Following a 14-month investigation, Epstein was charged with four counts of felony theft in September, including a theft scheme, as well as embezzlement. He was found guilty of an embezzlement misdemeanor charge Monday, according to the Maryland Judiciary.

Located just south of Highland Beach, the Oyster Harbor community has been a special tax district, meaning the association collects “an additional tax on [themselves]” to fund additional services such as clearing snow, stormwater management, and road repair, among other things, according to the organization’s constitution. Residents elect six people every year to fill positions such as president, vice president and treasurer. A nine-member board of directors assumes legal responsibility for all the organization’s actions for three years.

Epstein was president of the Oyster Harbor Citizens Association for nearly 10 years.

Robin Henley, Epstein’s attorney, and the Oyster Harbor Citizens Association did not return requests for comment.

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