A Harford County councilman on Thursday accepted responsibility for stealing more than $23,000 from a union that he led for more than 50 years.

Dion Guthrie, a Democrat who’s represented the Joppatowne area at various points since 2006, pleaded no contest to one count of theft between $1,500 and $25,000, a felony. That means he did not admit guilt but acknowledged that there was enough evidence for prosecutors to secure a conviction.

Prior to the hearing, Guthrie, 86, of Joppa, paid almost $23,500 in restitution.

He spoke at length in court about the personal tragedies that he’s experienced over the last several years and stated that he was distracted. But he also said he was not making excuses.

“I’m taking responsibility,” Guthrie said. “It’s on me.”

Circuit Judge Dennis M. Robinson Jr. described the allegations as serious and troubling, but at the same time brought up Guthrie’s age and lack of criminal record. That’s along with the fact that he made restitution.

Robinson then struck the guilty finding and sentenced him to probation before judgment.

Outside the courtroom, Guthrie said “if the voters want to remove me, the voters can remove me two years from now.” But the Maryland Constitution states that any elected official who pleads no contest to a felony “shall be removed from the elective office by operation of law and the office shall be deemed vacant.”

Later, the Harford County Council released a statement that reiterated that Guthrie was removed from office due to entering the no contest plea and that his seat is deemed vacant.

Starting on Friday, a majority of the remaining council members must appoint someone within 60 days from a list of at least three names that the Harford County Democratic Central Committee submits to fill the vacancy, according to the statement.

Between 2017 and 2021, Guthrie stole from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1501 and used the money to pay for personal expenses, such as condo and homeowner association fees, prosecutors allege. He served as president and business manager for almost 52 years.

In 2021, Lonnie Stephenson, the president of the IBEW at the time, placed the local under trusteeship after discovering “significant irregularities in the operations,” according to a statement.

Following an investigation, the statement continued, IBEW notified the U.S. Department of Labor that it had uncovered “potentially unlawful conduct.”

The Office of Labor-Management Standards found that Guthrie misappropriated more than $60,500, which including making 179 purchases on a union credit card at businesses including Spirit Airlines, Burlington and Amazon Music. He admitted that some of those charges were for personal use, according to an investigative report.

Meanwhile, Guthrie claimed that the prosecution was political. IBEW Local 1501, he said, owed him more than $39,200.

Domenic Iamele, Guthrie’s attorney, reiterated that his client denied the accusations.

“He simply, at this stage in his life, does not have the resilience to contest the allegations,” Iamele said.

Guthrie, he said, is receiving care for a heart condition and colon cancer. Iamele said his client made a payment but pushed back on the characterization that it was restitution.

“It demonstrates his own personal code of honor,” Iamele said. “He’s always, always willing to make things right.”

During his long tenure as president and business manager, Guthrie “significantly enriched” IBEW Local 1501, Iamele said.

Two supporters including Terry Hanley, deputy director of the Harford County Department of Parks and Recreation, spoke on behalf of Guthrie and praised his work ethic and dedication to the community.

Outside the courtroom, Iamele said his client never intended to take money from the rank and file, adding that he believed that the case should have been handled in civil court.

Iamele said “personal use and union use is an ambiguity.” He said his client also attended conferences and did not charge the union for hotels and meals.

But Assistant State’s Attorney Adam Lippe said he had no proof that Guthrie did anything other than steal.

“I am not teaching an old dog new tricks,” Lippe said. “He has his view of the world, but the state has control of the facts.”

Guthrie first served on the Harford County Council from 2006 until 2014, when Mike Perrone Jr., a Republican, defeated him.

In 2022, Guthrie ran again and won the seat back. His official biography on the Harford County government website includes the following motto: “Champion of the People; For the People.”

Toward the end of the hearing, Guthrie brought up his claim that IBEW Local 1501 owed him more than $39,200, but stated that he was going to donate the amount.

The union, he said, needs the money.