The legal battle surrounding the termination of Donna Manley Liberto, the former superintendent of Lake Waterford Park, is set to test the authority of the Anne Arundel County auditor's office. Liberto was dismissed last year following an investigation that revealed she used a county pickup truck for personal purposes.
Liberto claims her firing was unjust and that the investigation led by the county auditor violated her Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure. Her attorney, Jeffrey McFadden, argues that the auditor's methods, which included secret surveillance, were improper.
The controversy began when a county employee alerted the Office of Law about Liberto's management practices. The employee reported that Liberto frequently used a county vehicle as her personal car, raising questions about her adherence to county policies regarding take-home vehicles.
In July 2025, Liberto was terminated after the auditor's findings were presented, which also implicated other staff members in misconduct. The case has drawn attention to the auditor's powers, particularly since the County Council expanded these powers in 2024 to enhance transparency within the government.
County Executive Steuart Pittman and Recreation and Parks Director Jessica Lays have not commented publicly on the allegations or the steps taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. Meanwhile, the auditor's office, now led by Executive Director Louis Duncan Jr., has refrained from discussing the ongoing appeal.
Liberto, who has a long history with the county's Recreation and Parks Department, is appealing her dismissal and seeking reinstatement, back pay, and damages. The outcome of her case could have significant implications for the auditor's ability to investigate fraud and misconduct within the county government.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the auditor's office continues to develop its processes under the oversight of the County Council, which has expressed a desire for greater accountability and transparency in local government operations.
Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).
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