Timonium Woman Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud

A Timonium woman pleaded guilty Friday to federal charges of tax fraud connected to her work for a Towson real estate title firm, the Maryland U.S. Attorney's office announced.

Federal prosecutors say Collette Snyder, 42, embezzled $382,000 from her employer, Maple Leaf Title, and did not disclose the money in her 2007 and 2008 tax returns.

Snyder began working at Maple Leaf Title in 2005, according to prosecutors. She was granted the authority to sign checks for the company and in 2007 she began making company checks out to her husband, forging his signature and depositing them in their bank account.

Prosecutors say she then used the money to pay for jewelry, furniture, clothes, a car, private school tuition and other goods and services.

Without a plea bargain, Snyder could have faced up to six years in prison and a $500,000 fine if convicted. Sentencing is set for Feb. 3.

Snyder's embezzlement contributed to legal troubles for now-defunct Maple Leaf Title. In March, the firm's owner, Anthony Weis, on a wire fraud conviction.