(Atlantic) Former Atlantic Chamber of Commerce Director Bailey Smith was sentenced today.
Smith pleaded guilty in June to first-degree theft and unauthorized use of a credit card over $10,000. She was originally charged with ongoing criminal conduct, first-degree fraudulent practice, first-degree theft and unauthorized use of a credit card over $10,000.
Judge Margaret “Maggie” Reyes sentenced Smith to 10 years in prison for Count 2, first-degree theft. That sentence was suspended. Smith was also sentenced to 10 years in prison on Count 4, unauthorized use of a credit card over $10,000. That sentence was also suspended. Smith was given five years of probation on each count, with the sentences to be served concurrently.
Counts 1 and 3 were dismissed. Smith will also be required to pay restitution, but the amount has not yet been determined.
According to the complaint filed when Smith was charged, Smith made 761 personal transactions using Chamber funds between January 2020 and August 2025, totaling $26,913.22. She also allegedly charged approximately $25,065.71 in personal expenses to Chamber-issued credit cards. Smith acknowledged $6,632.38 in unauthorized expenses in a letter to the Chamber Board.
Prior to sentencing, Smith’s attorney, Jonathan James Mailander, read a statement prepared by Smith apologizing to the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce and the Atlantic community for her actions. Smith stated that she “lost herself along the way.”
Victim impact statements were presented today by Kolton Hewlett, Chamber Treasurer, and Anne Quist, Chamber Board President. Quist said she was the board member who uncovered the financial misconduct.
Quist said another area of loss included the AtlanticCash program.
Those were just a couple of instances Quist noted. She said, unfortunately, they will never know exactly how much money was taken. Quist said Smith was terminated from the Chamber, and to date, she has not made any payments toward the losses owed to the Chamber.
Hear the full victim impacts statements below:
