Annapolis' finance director, whose tenure was marked by the still-unsolved theft of more than $150,000 in checks and cash from a city hall vault, is retiring after 26 years in city government, officials announced Monday.

Timothy Elliott, who faced criticism for not immediately informing Mayor Joshua J. Cohen of the June theft, plans to leave his post Sept. 1 to pursue a job in the private sector. No arrests have been made in the theft. Elliott declined to comment.

Cohen spokesman Phillip McGowan said Elliott was not forced to retire or resign. Elliott was hired as chief accountant for the city in 1983 and was appointed finance director in 2002.

"I want to thank Tim for his years of service to the city," Cohen said in a statement. "His experience has been a considerable help during these first few months of my administration."