Three Maryland School Board Candidates Have Tax Liens
Court records show active or past state tax liens for three individuals seeking school board positions across Maryland.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Administration
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A review of court records for 138 candidates running for school board in Maryland has identified three individuals with state tax liens. These findings, uncovered through the state judicial database, highlight financial filings associated with the local political candidates.
Why it matters
Understanding the financial backgrounds of those seeking public office is a central element of vetting candidates for local education leadership. These public records provide voters with additional context regarding the fiscal history of those who would manage school district budgets.
Court filings reveal state tax liens against Brenda Diaz totaling $9,906.91 and Darren Badillo totaling $6,486.33. Lori Lepley had an $8,159.02 lien filed in 2022, which is now marked as satisfied.
The players
Brenda Diaz
She is a school board candidate with two state tax liens filed against a property in Gaithersburg.
Darren Badillo
He is a school board candidate currently facing two unresolved state tax liens.
Lori Lepley
She is a school board candidate who previously had a state tax lien filed against her that has since been satisfied.
The details
Capital News Service cross-referenced candidate identities with court documents using the Maryland Judiciary Case Search and Records Portal. While Lori Lepley saw her lien satisfied following an appeal related to a denied Historic District Tax Credit, other liens identified in the search remain on record.
Timeline
Brenda Diaz had a $5,247.46 tax lien filed in 2021.
A $4,659.45 tax lien was filed against Brenda Diaz in 2022.
Lori Lepley had an $8,159.02 state tax lien filed in August 2022.
Darren Badillo had a $5,629.19 tax lien filed in November 2023.
A state tax lien of $857.14 was filed against Darren Badillo in February 2025.
Culture Shift
This report highlights the intersection between local political vetting and the transparency provided by state judicial databases. It follows a trend of utilizing digital public records to scrutinize the financial history of candidates seeking administrative roles in public education.
Voters can use public search portals to review the legal and financial histories of candidates appearing on their local ballots. These records help residents make informed decisions about who is best suited to manage the financial interests of their school districts.
The takeaway
Financial transparency is a vital component of local governance, allowing voters to examine the economic track records of those seeking office. Citizens are encouraged to use available public databases to research candidates before heading to the polls.
Further reading
For more on how local officials are vetted, review the Administration section of our site.
More information
Residents can search for additional public court documents via the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bethesda Magazine.
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