Connect with us

Delaware

Delaware’s ethics watchdog concludes no wrongdoing after declining to investigate

Published

on

Delaware’s ethics watchdog concludes no wrongdoing after declining to investigate


Delaware Coalition for Good Government spokesman John Flaherty said the public should have been informed when the police investigation concluded.

“There’s a lot of people just very concerned over the integrity of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund,” he said. “When you have a theft of $18[1],000 by someone who previously had stolen from a homeowners association and then he got promoted while overseeing the unemployment fund, it lends itself to troubling questions about how government is operating.”

Brittingham was convicted of felony theft during his employment with the Department of Labor for taking nearly $42,890 between June 2018 and April 2019 from his homeowners association and was serving a two-year suspended prison sentence and probation.

Before the embezzlement became public knowledge, the only sign of trouble with the trust fund was a special report by State Auditor Lydia York. The report called the fund “unauditable” because independent auditors could not prove how much money was in the state’s UI trust fund for fiscal year 2023. It came after accounting firm CliftonLarsonAllen issued a “disclaimer of opinions,” meaning it couldn’t rely on the state’s documentation to confirm bank statements that there was about $390 million in reserve.

Advertisement

“We knew from York’s report there were serious problems in terms of the auditability of the fund,” said State Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, in May. “But to know there were more problems, including theft of funds from the unemployment fund, which is a fund paid for by our businesses that have employees in the state, it’s really disturbing.”

The Public Integrity Commission reviewed the civic league’s request in August and decided to deny the request because the civic group didn’t have standing, which means they were not injured by the lack of disclosure, and a failure to state a claim over which the commission has jurisdiction.

The meeting minutes show the commission characterized the request as “a request for an investigation into [two state employees] for not contacting the media about an ongoing investigation.” Those employees, according to the decision issued to the civics league, appear to be Hubbard and Gisenberger.

The Public Integrity Commission said in its decision and in the minutes that because the two agency heads reported the theft after it was discovered to other state agencies and the U.S. Department of Labor, there was no attempt to “fool” the public and the agencies could delay informing Delawareans if there were concerns about preserving the integrity of an investigation.

Stirk said the reasoning was typical of the “Delaware Way.”

Advertisement

“Pretend it didn’t happen and move on until the next time, when the exact same thing happens all over again,” he said. “And we’ll pretend that, ‘Oh, wow, this has never happened before.’”

While House and Senate Republicans have pushed for hearings, House and Senate Democrats have said the report given to lawmakers in July by Department of Labor and Department Of Finance made it clear to them it was an isolated incident, with no hearings planned.

Stirk and Flaherty are calling for the creation of an inspector general office. Legislation sponsored by State Sen. Laura Sturgeon to do that stalled in committee earlier this year. She said she plans to introduce a similar bill next year that would create the position to examine wrongdoing, waste, fraud and abuse.

“We don’t have an office where, if somebody makes a complaint and it falls within the purview of the inspector general they would do an investigation and they would publish the results of any findings that you know are of public interest,” she said. “It would apply to all branches of government, every executive branch, including separately elected executives, and the legislature.”

Delaware has two independently elected officials – attorney general and state auditor. These two offices also have the ability to conduct investigations, but Sturgeon and supporters of the legislation argue an inspector general does not overlap the duties of those officials and could look into issues where neither have purview.

Advertisement

New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, a Democrat, is seeking the governor’s office in November along with House Minority Leader Mike Ramone, a Republican. Both have gone on record supporting the creation of a non-partisan state inspector general.



Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Delaware

Delaware Lottery Powerball, Play 3 Day winning numbers for April 20, 2026 – AOL

Published

on

Delaware Lottery Powerball, Play 3 Day winning numbers for April 20, 2026 – AOL


The Delaware Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Monday, April 20, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from April 20 drawing

09-17-36-47-64, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Advertisement

Winning Play 3 numbers from April 20 drawing

Day: 2-2-8

Night: 4-8-2

Check Play 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 4 numbers from April 20 drawing

Day: 5-8-5-9

Night: 8-8-4-8

Advertisement

Check Play 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Multi-Win Lotto numbers from April 20 drawing

02-04-06-10-11-25

Check Multi-Win Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from April 20 drawing

05-07-31-41-43, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Advertisement

Winning Play 5 numbers from April 20 drawing

Day: 1-5-6-0-1

Night: 0-6-7-5-5

Check Play 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky?Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

  • Sign the Ticket: Establish legal ownership by signing the back of your ticket with an ink pen.

  • Prizes up to $599: Claim at any Delaware Lottery Retailer, in person at the Delaware Lottery Office, or mail your signed ticket and claim form; print your name/address on the ticket’s back and keep a copy/photo for records. By mail, send original tickets and documentation to: Delaware Lottery, 1575 McKee Road, Suite 102, Dover, DE 19904.

  • Prizes up to $2,500: Claim in person at Delaware Lottery Retailer Claim Centers throughout Kent, Sussex and New Castle Counties.

  • Prizes of $5,001 or more: Claim in person at the Delaware Lottery Office (business days 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with a photo ID and Social Security card.

  • For all prize claims, directions to the Delaware Lottery Office are available online or via mapquest.com for a map.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Delaware Lottery.

Advertisement

Can I claim a jackpot prize anonymously in Delaware?

Fortunately for First State residents, the Delaware Lottery allows winners remain anonymous. Unlike many other states that require a prize be over a certain jackpot, Delawareans can remain anonymous no matter how much, or how little, they win.

How long do I have to claim my prize in Delaware?

Tickets are valid for up to one year past the drawing date for drawing game prizes or within one year of the announced end of sales for Instant Games, according to delottery.com.

When are the Delaware Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

  • Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.

  • Play 3, 4: Daily at 1:58 p.m. and 7:57 p.m., except Sunday afternoon.

  • Multi-Win Lotto: 7:57 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

  • Lucky for Life: Daily at 10:38 p.m.

  • Lotto America: 11:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday

Missed a draw?Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Delaware Online digital operations manager. You can send feedback using this form.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware Lottery Powerball, Play 3 Day winning numbers for April 20, 2026

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Delaware

ViVA Awards luncheon celebrates service across Delaware County

Published

on

ViVA Awards luncheon celebrates service across Delaware County


MUNCIE, IN — Five individuals and one organization were recognized for their contributions to Delaware County during the annual ViVA (Very Important Volunteer Award) luncheon on April 14, according to a community announcement.

The event, hosted by the Muncie Noon Rotary Club in partnership with the Muncie Sunrise Rotary Club, has been a tradition since 1993. The ViVA Awards celebrate those who dedicate their time and resources to uplift the community.

Vickie Armstrong Oliver, Ken Glaub, Dottie Kreps and Beth Kroehler each received individual ViVA Awards for their volunteer efforts and commitment to various causes.

Advertisement

The Muncie Central High School Alumni Association was presented with the 2026 ViVA Organizational Award. Since 1995, the association has supported the high school through philanthropy and historical preservation.

The association has awarded more than $76,000 in scholarships to seniors and nearly $39,000 in teacher grants. It has also financed various campus needs, including the restoration of the school’s Abraham Lincoln statue. The board maintains a public Memorabilia Room to preserve the school’s legacy.

Linda Gregory received the Edmund F. Ball Lifetime Achievement Award for her lifelong dedication to service in the community.

The ViVA Awards luncheon served as a reminder of the generosity and compassion that define Delaware County’s volunteer heritage, according to the announcement.

Advertisement

This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.



Source link

Continue Reading

Delaware

Man speeds past leading runner in photo finish at Delaware Marathon

Published

on

Man speeds past leading runner in photo finish at Delaware Marathon


The Delaware Marathon Run Fest on Sunday ended with a photo finish that proved nothing is over until it’s over.

In a video taken by the Instagram user @aktiv8edleem and shared with NBC10, a runner is seen jogging in the lead with his arms raised as if he’s won. But then, another man sprints up the final stretch and passes him for the win.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending