Delaware
Delaware agencies say only a small group of lawmakers will see embezzlement probe report
From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!
This story was supported by a statehouse coverage grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Delaware Director of Finance Rick Geisenberger said his department and the Department of Labor still plan to fulfill their promise to update state lawmakers this month on their investigation into a former DOL employee’s theft of taxpayer funds.
To make good on that vow, the agencies must submit their report to the General Assembly within the next week.
WHYY News reported exclusively in May that former unemployment insurance administrator Michael Brittingham stole about $181,000 from the unemployment insurance trust fund last year. He took his own life in April 2023 shortly after he was told he was under investigation.
Lawmakers received letters in June from the DOL, the finance department and the auditor of accounts promising to give lawmakers an accounting of the embezzlement last month. Those letters came after groups like the Delaware Coalition for Open Government (DelCOG) began calling for investigations and hearings into what happened and why it was not made public until it was uncovered in WHYY News’ reporting. WHYY News obtained a copy of the letters, which were not made public by the agencies themselves.
DELCOG spokesperson John Flaherty said the group was planning to ask the U.S. Department of Labor to get involved because of the lack of transparency by Gov. John Carney’s administration about the theft.
“We have a known embezzlement of state funds from a fund that is so screwed up that the auditor says they can’t even audit that fund,” Flaherty said. “There’s a deep abiding interest in the public and making sure that the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund is being operated in the public good.”
In the June letters to lawmakers, DOL Secretary Karryl Hubbard and Geisenberger argued that not disclosing embezzlement of taxpayer funds was the right move while acknowledging state lawmakers’ supervisory role.
“We fully understand the General Assembly’s important oversight responsibilities,” the administration leaders said. “We are committed to ensuring that you and your colleagues have accurate information and access to a full accounting of findings and actions to date and our recommended path forward.”
Hubbard and Geisenberger promised the General Assembly it would get “a full accounting of findings and actions to date and our recommended path forward.”
However, Geisenberger told WHYY News the report would only go to the legislative leadership, which consists of five Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and five in the House. He did not respond to a question about why it would not go to all lawmakers if he and Hubbard were committed to making sure all lawmakers had accurate information.
Flaherty said the Carney administration doesn’t get to decide who is entitled to information about the theft of taxpayer funds.
“Members of the Executive Cabinet — the Division of Accounting, Department of Labor — for them to say we’re going to pick and choose who gets to read a public document is outrageous,” he said. “This is a public document, about an incident that affected the public and everybody has the right to observe and monitor the actions of our public officials. That’s in the law.”
Delaware
Delaware Sen. Chris Coons leading congressional delegation to Greenland as Trump threatens takeover
A video of tips on how to clean your snow boots and keep them in great condition.
A video of tips on how to clean your snow boots and keep them in great condition.
Winter is about to make another rush into Delaware, and it might include a little snow.
The First State is going to see highs drop from the mid- to upper-40s to the freezing mark by the end of the week, according to the National Weather Service forecast.
After a pleasant Jan. 13, which will feature sunny skies and highs around 46 in New Castle and 50 in Sussex County. However, that will change on Jan 14 as colder temperatures and precipitation move into the area.
There won’t be much snow, but with temperatures at or below freezing the commute will be rough.
What’s the Delaware weather forecast?
New Castle County: The front will move into the county after 1 p.m. on Jan. 14 with a 30% chance of rain in the county. Highs will be in the mid-40s. Rain will continue through the overnight hours and chance over to snow as temperatures drop into the upper 20s. Little to no snow accumulation is expected, but roads could be icy Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Rain and snow are expected until 1 p.m. Jan. 15 with highs near 35.
Kent County: The county will enjoy a sunny Jan. 13 with temperatures hitting 51 degrees. The cold front will move in during the overnight with rain before 4 a.m. and a wintery mix after 4 a.m. with the lows dropping to 30. On Jan 14, there’s a chance of rain and snow before 1 p.m. with highs reaching 38. Little to no snow accumulation is expected, but roads could be icy Wednesday night into Thursday morning
Sussex County: The county will enjoy a sunny Jan. 13 with temperatures hitting 53 degrees. The cold front will move in overnight with rain after 1 a.m. and a low around 30. On Jan 14, there’s a chance of rain and snow before 1 p.m. with highs reaching 39. Little to no snow accumulation is expected, but roads could be icy Wednesday night into Thursday morning
What is black ice?
If you are driving, you’ll need to watch out for black ice.
According to The Weather Channel, black ice is a thin layer of ice that forms on roads and is difficult to see. It’s generally found on bridges, overpasses and spots on the road shaded by trees or other objects.
If roadways are wet from rain, snow or fog and temperatures drop below 32 degrees, black ice can form on roadways.
If you hit black ice, you should do the following:
- Keep your steering wheel straight.
- Do not brake
- Take your foot off the accelerator to reduce speed
Ryan Day takes ‘responsibility for not getting everyone ready’ in OSU loss
Ohio State’s saw an early exit in the CFP after an extended break from play.
An Ohio State alumnus, a former Cincinnati Bengals player, a Super Bowl champ and an insurance agent walk into a room … but there’s no punchline because they’re all the same person.
Tito Paul is well-known for his gridiron past, which includes playing for Ohio State, where he was selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft in 1995, and winning Super Bowl XXXIII with the Denver Broncos in 1999.
But some folks may not be aware that he’s also a superstar in Delaware County, where his State Farm agency receives consistently high reviews.
Football fans will have the chance to meet Paul at Game On, a fundraiser for the Delaware County Historical Society (DCHS) on Jan. 14 at the Meeker House and The Barn at Stratford, 2690 Stratford Road, Delaware. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.
The event will begin with a meet-and-greet from 6:15-7 p.m. in the Meeker House before moving to The Barn for the rest of the evening. A pizza party and soft drinks are included in the admission price, and beer will be available for purchase.
Paul will be joined by friends who also played for Ohio State, the NFL or both for an evening of football stories, NFL experiences and personal accounts of what it means to play in and win a Super Bowl. A Q&A period will follow the discussion.
In addition to Paul, guests will include:
- Ty Howard: Ohio State, Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans
- Michael Wiley: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Dee Miller: Ohio State, Green Bay Packers
- Mike “Buster” Tillman: Ohio State
Adult tickets for Game On cost $50 for the full event or $35 for the pizza party only. Tickets for ages 10-18 cost $15. Members of the DCHS pay $45 for the full event or $30 for the pizza party only. Tickets are available at bit.ly/3N4frsg.
In the event of a Level 2 or Level 3 snow emergency, the event will be canceled, with a rescheduled date to be determined.
Contact features and entertainment reporter Belinda M. Paschal at bpaschal@dispatch.com.
‘My role was making movies that mattered,’ says Jodie Foster, as ‘Taxi Driver’ turns 50
Meta is closing down three VR studios as part of its metaverse cuts
Iran state TV acknowledges ‘a lot of martyrs’ as death toll surpasses 3,000: report
Playing catchup to Republicans, Democrats launch ‘largest-ever’ partisan national voter registration campaign
Simple daily habit may help ease depression more than medication, researchers say
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Playing catchup to Republicans, Democrats launch ‘largest-ever’ partisan national voter registration campaign
Fact check: Machado can’t ‘share’ her Nobel Peace Prize with Trump
Scott Adams, the controversial cartoonist behind ‘Dilbert,’ dies at 68
Rep Ro Khanna demands prosecution of ICE agent in Minneapolis fatal shooting
Syrian army sends troops to rural Aleppo to stop any SDF attempt to regroup
-
Detroit, MI1 week ago2 hospitalized after shooting on Lodge Freeway in Detroit
-
Technology1 week agoPower bank feature creep is out of control
-
Montana3 days agoService door of Crans-Montana bar where 40 died in fire was locked from inside, owner says
-
Delaware4 days agoMERR responds to dead humpback whale washed up near Bethany Beach
-
Dallas, TX5 days agoAnti-ICE protest outside Dallas City Hall follows deadly shooting in Minneapolis
-
Dallas, TX1 week agoDefensive coordinator candidates who could improve Cowboys’ brutal secondary in 2026
-
Iowa7 days agoPat McAfee praises Audi Crooks, plays hype song for Iowa State star
-
Virginia3 days agoVirginia Tech gains commitment from ACC transfer QB