Under the direction of the Appellate Court of Maryland, Harford County Circuit Court Judge W. Michel Pierson ruled that Aaron Penman must be restored to his elected seat on the Harford County Council.

A recent ruling by the Appellate Court of Maryland, directed the reversal of a prior court order that had ultimately lead to Aaron Penman’s removal from the Harford County Council seat that he was elected to fill. The case began in 2023 when ethics concerns were raised about the dual employment of Penman as a Harford County Council member and employee of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office.

That prior ruling leading to his removal was issued in January of 2025 by Harford County Circuit Court Judge Richard S. Bernhardt Sr. At that time, Penman was given the option to resign from his employment with the sheriff’s office or resign from the council seat. A temporary delay of that decision was lifted when the Supreme Court of Maryland denied a petition to review the lower court ruling which then triggered his automatic removal from the council.

The latest decision by Judge Pierson effectively returns Penman to the position he was elected to hold and reverses his removal from the County Council. Harford County officials are anticipated to file a stay of the more recent order to reinstate Penman to the council while they file a motion to appeal the Pierson decision.

Read full Appellate Court of Maryland decision from April 9th.