BEL AIR, MD—A forensic accounting expert has alleged that Visit Harford, Inc., the tourism promotion contractor for Harford County, spent nearly $372,000 in taxpayer funds on “unjustified expenses” during a single year, according to documents filed in court by the county government.
The expenses, which the county claims were not justified under the contractor’s agreement, included such expenditures as “trips, gift cards, alcohol, parties, and restaurant tabs,” according to the forensic accountant’s report.
The findings come amid an ongoing legal dispute between the private tourism entity and the county government, initiated after County Executive Bob Cassilly withheld funds from Visit Harford for allegedly failing to provide strict accountability for the tax dollars it received.
The county’s press release stated that for nearly a decade, Visit Harford had received up to $1 million annually in taxpayer funds with minimal oversight. Upon taking office, Cassilly maintained funding but imposed new contract terms requiring detailed accountability.
In 2024, after the tourism group allegedly failed to uphold its contractual duty to account for the spending, Cassilly refused to make further payments.
The dispute escalated when County Council President Pat Vincenti successfully pushed through council legislation that would have required the county to pay Visit Harford over $600,000 per year without accountability. Citing a violation of the county charter, Cassilly refused to make the council-demanded payments.
Visit Harford subsequently filed a lawsuit against the county. The county claims that the organization hired a public relations firm to release critical social media posts attacking the very county it was contracted to promote as a tourism destination.
During the discovery phase of the lawsuit, Visit Harford fought the county’s request for bank records where taxpayer funds were deposited. After a court order compelled disclosure, the county turned the documents over to a forensic accountant.
In court filings, the accountant reported that “Total Unjustified Expenses incurred by VH [Visit Harford] … are $371,994.64” for just one year.
The county also claims that when it took a deposition as part of the lawsuit, Visit Harford sent junior employees rather than senior management to answer questions under oath. Those employees were reportedly “unable or unwilling to explain how certain taxpayer-funded expenditures were justified.”
On Sept. 9, the court dismissed Visit Harford’s initial lawsuit against the county. However, the county has been allowed to proceed with a counterclaim for damages against the organization, with that case currently pending.
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