Tiffany Knupp’s embezzlement trial ends with Alford Plea
Worcester County, Md. – Tragedy struck Worcester County when 14-year-old Gavin Knupp was killed in a hit-and-run in the summer of 2022. His mother Tiffany created the Gavin Knupp Foundation in his memory, but just last year, allegations surfaced of embezzlement and theft.
After losing her son over a year ago, Tiffany Knupp chose to take the Alford Plea, so there wouldn’t be a chance she could lose her freedom as well. Tuesday, September 24, Knupp finally answered those charges in court. Thomas Maronick Jr. of Maronick Law, LLC represented her, and said he was overall satisfied with the outcome, saying “Somebody who’s not lost a child can’t fully understand what she’s gone through.”
Tiffany Knupp appeared somber in court Tuesday morning, facing nine charges involving embezzlement and theft in connection with the Gavin Knupp Foundation. She helped start the non-profit following the death of her son – 14-year-old Gavin – back in 2022 after a hit and run accident. Her lawyer says entering an Alford Plea doesn’t mean she admits guilt, she just agrees there is enough evidence to convict her.
“Obviously, we would’ve loved have had a completely not guilty, and acquittal of all charges, have the state dismiss the charges, that wasn’t in the cards, but this offer was too much to turn down, says Maronick. “She went out today and said I’m innocent of these charges, however, the State made a very compelling offer and that was a chance to keep her record entirely clean… The fact that she could potentially get this expunged, in three or maybe less than 3 years, that’s a fantastic outcome.”
As part of the deal, she agreed to one year of unsupervised probation, plus paid $6,500 in restitution to the foundation. The judge also ordered the foundation to be dissolved, and all remaining funds be donated to a local non-profit. Knupp however, is barred from being a part of that process, so the remaining board members will handle it.
Character witnesses at the trial were close friends of 3 years Rich and Laura Mathabel. They both maintain Knupp had no bad intentions. “It was a little bit of a gray area with regards to some payments to her legal services, honestly, a lay person you know, who’s not a lawyer, doesn’t understand the ins and outs of the legality with regards to where a payment can come from.” They say, overall, they are pleased with the outcome. “Ideally, you know, they would’ve been dismissed fully, but I think this was a nice compromise. Restitution was made, and like I said, I just don’t believe it was malicious, something that kind of fell through the cracks.”
Knupp wouldn’t comment on the outcome or respond to how she feels about her son’s foundation ceasing as a part of the deal. But when asked if she was ready to put this all behind her she had this to say, “I am, I am, we’re looking to start over…” Maronick added that Knupp plans to move out of the area- to be closer to her daughter in college.
As for the hit and run case involving Gavin, that trial is scheduled to start early next year.
