A Harford County councilman was charged Tuesday with stealing money from the electrical workers union that he led for more than a half-century and could be forced from office.

Councilman Dion Guthrie, 86, a Democrat who’s in his second stint representing the Joppa area on the council, is charged in Baltimore County Circuit Court with one count of theft between $1,500 and $25,000, a felony, for stealing from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1501 between 2017 and 2021.

Assistant State’s Attorney Adam Lippe said Guthrie siphoned money from the union’s coffers to pay for personal expenses, such as condo and homeowners association fees. Lippe said Guthrie struck a deal to enter an Alford plea — in which a defendant maintains innocence but admits there’s enough evidence to support a conviction — and receive probation before judgment, as well as pay $23,500 in restitution. A court hearing is expected to take place next week, Lippe said.

If so, Guthrie would be removed from office under the state constitution. But reached by phone Tuesday night, he said he had no intentions of leaving.

Guthrie said he was the victim of “politics.” He served as business manager and president of IBEW Local 1501 for nearly 52 years until his retirement in December 2021. He said the union owes him more than $39,200, but that he wanted to settle the matter.

“They haven’t paid me, or are not even trying to pay me,” Guthrie said. “They want to try to come up with these things that happened five, six, seven years ago, and though I have evidence against a lot of that, it doesn’t seem to make any difference.

“I stood 18 elections, never had a problem. Now all of a sudden, after I retire, they dream this stuff up?” he added.

Lippe said Guthrie was removed from his position with the union after financial problems forced it into receivership, and that subsequent audits found the misappropriated funds. The case was referred to Baltimore County prosecutors by the U.S. Department of Labor. Lippe said Guthrie believed his use of the funds was justified because he was owed money for unused vacation.

“If you think you’re entitled to the funds, you sue, not steal,” Lippe said. “I hope he finds remorse between now and the day of the plea.”

In a statement, IBEW said the case against Guthrie comes as a result of the union’s “years-long pursuit of justice for the members of Local 1501.”

“The IBEW has no tolerance for the conduct outlined in the charges and welcomes this action from the Maryland State’s Attorney,” the statement continued.

Then-President Lonnie Stephenson placed Local 1501 under trusteeship in 2021 after discovering “significant irregularities in the operations,” according to the statement. Following an investigation, IBEW notified the Department of Labor that it had found “potentially unlawful conduct.”

Guthrie, whose official bio includes the motto “Champion of the People; For the People,” said he had no intention of stepping down from the council. He was first elected in 2006 and served until 2014, when he was defeated by Mike Perrone Jr., a Republican.

In 2022, Guthrie won the seat back. The councilman said the union has been suffering in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a significant loss of members.

Harford County Council President Pat Vincenti, a Republican, said the case is concerning to him. But he said he wanted to hold off on making further comments.

Vincenti said he plans to speak with Guthrie.

“I want to wait to hear the rest of the information,” Vincenti said.

In a statement, Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly, a Republican, said he respects the legal process and will not comment on a pending case.

Said Cassilly: “However, I have worked well with Dion for many years and have known him to be a dedicated public servant to his community.”