Court reverses Harford County Councilmember Aaron Penman’s removal

HARFORD COUNTY, Md. (WBFF) — The Harford County Circuit Court issued an order Friday fully reversing the removal of Councilmember Aaron Penman.

This comes after the Harford County Board of Ethics determined Penman violated ethics laws. He was previously ordered to resign his employment with the sheriff’s office or to step down from the county council.

ALSO READ | Councilman’s resignation ordered by Feb. 9 after board finds violated ethics laws

According to the Board of Ethics’ findings that were unsealed on Jan. 10, Penman was found to have violated ethics laws by repeatedly lobbying his fellow council members and voting to benefit the Harford County sheriff, which in turn, directly affects Penman’s salary, benefits, assignments, and even career advancement.

The board ruled that Penman must recuse himself from future deliberations and votes on the sheriff’s budget, and must refrain from involvement in all matters affect the office without first seeking and receiving permission from the board.

According to the release from Harford County, Penman attempted to prevent the ethics boards’ investigation by filing suit in circuit court, which led to a court ruling that Penman also violated Section 207 of the county charter, which reads, in part:

“During the term of office, the Council member shall not hold any other office of profit or employment in the government of the State of Maryland, Harford County, or any municipality within Harford County except a position held by virtue of being a Council member.”

The Maryland Appellate Court’s April 9 ruling was a “clear win” for residents and District B, according to a statement from Penman.

Penman’s statement continued:

Finally, on June 12, 2026, the Harford County Circuit Court issued an order fully reversing the unlawful action initiated by County Executive Bob Cassilly that removed Councilmember Aaron Penman from his rightfully elected office.

This action restores the voices of District B voters who elected Penman to the Harford County Council in an open, free election. It is a direct rejection of the Cassilly Administration’s “lawfare” efforts to silence his voice and the voices of the constituents residing in District B.

The Court made it clear: Councilmember Penman is NOT disqualified from serving as both a deputy sheriff and a member of the Harford County Council. That decision restores what should never have been taken away from voters, their constitutional right to choose their representative, not vindictive politicians or legal bureaucrats trying to rewrite the rules in their favor.

Let’s be honest about what this was: an attempt to sideline a public safety professional who has spent his life protecting this community as a police officer and our country as a U.S. Marine. This ruling sends a strong message: you cannot push aside the will of the people. The voices of our citizens and the votes they cast matter the most, nor can you silence public safety voices when they step up to lead!

Councilmember Penman is back, stronger than ever, and more committed than ever to fighting for District B. We stand for safe neighborhoods, accountable government, common sense policy, and we stand with the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to make those things possible.

District B has a voice, and it is by the people and for the people. Together, we will ensure public safety remains our top priority.