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Christina Board member failed to disclose ties to shell companies billing district

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Christina Board member failed to disclose ties to shell companies billing district


In August 2020, Longfellow sent Latif, the Tarbiyah school director, a letter telling her to stop charging the school district for services.

“We have every reason to believe that Tristate Health Consulting Inc … is operated by Naveed Baqir, with whom you share an address and to whom you are or were married,” the letter obtained by WHYY News states. “As required by law, we invite you to consult with us on the lack of independence between Tarbiyah and the Tristate entities, and in the interim will immediately fund services to be rendered by companies independent of you and your family.”

The letter said Silber had reported the situation to the auditor and the district was waiting on the auditor to take action. Longfellow, now a consultant, said he never heard back from the auditor’s office.

The school district began to be billed for professional development services for the Tarbiyah School later that year by a vendor named AVM Solutions LLC. That company is registered by Antonio Adams, who is shown on the Tarbiyah School’s 2015 webpage to be the director of finance. The owners of the Wilmington address listed for the shell company are Antonio and Monica Adams. Monica is listed on the Tarbiyah School 2015 webpage as school board president.

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AVM Solutions billed the Christina School District from December 2020 to June 2022 for a total of $59,000 for professional development services.

“It wouldn’t have been obvious to us that AVM was another company of Naveed’s if that’s the case,” Longfellow said. “At the time, it must have seemed like a legitimate expense.”

Christina School Board members Monica Moriak and Doug Manley said they’re concerned about the grand jury investigation and shell companies connected to Baqir billing the school district.

Manley said he believes Baqir has lived out of the state since January which would already preclude him from board membership, but if he is a member, he argued he could be removed for certain illegal activity.

“If I recall correctly, there are basically two categories of crime that can get you removed from a school board,” Manley said. “One of them is any kind of abuse or things related to children, but the other is financial. And, you know, given the school board’s position with regard to lots and lots of public money, financial stuff is super serious.”

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The next Christina School Board meeting is on August 13th. The General Assembly mandated that the Delaware Department of Justice monitor the board over the next year because of the board’s violation of the Freedom of Information Act in public meetings.



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Delaware

Delaware Justice Departing to Head Up New University Law Center

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Delaware Justice Departing to Head Up New University Law Center


Delaware Supreme Court Justice Karen L. Valihura announced Wednesday that she will lead a new corporate law institute at the Wilmington University Farnan School of Law.

She will step down from the bench of Delaware’s highest court in late July, after choosing not to seek reappointment at the end of her 12-year term. She revealed her plans for the next phase of her legal career in a special session of the court in Wilmington.

As well as joining the Wilmington University law school faculty, Valihura will be the founding director of the school’s new Corporate Law, Governance and Practice Institute. …



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Delaware

16-year-old boy killed in Wilmington, Del., shooting Monday night, officials say

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16-year-old boy killed in Wilmington, Del., shooting Monday night, officials say


Wilmington Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy Tuesday night in Wilmington’s Hilltop neighborhood. 

According to police, the shooting occurred at approximately 8:33 p.m. in the 1600 block of West 5th Street. 

On their arrival at the scene, police say they located the 16-year-old with at least one gunshot wound and transported him to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

This incident remains under investigation.

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Police did not share whether there have been any arrests in connection with the shooting or a possible motive.

Wilmington Police encourage anyone with information about this incident, contact Detective Justin Wilkers at (302) 576-3634. Information can also be sent to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, or Delawarecrimestoppers.com.  

The Wilmington Police Department (WPD) Victim Service Unit and Youth Response Unit are available to provide information and support to victims, children, and families affected by this incident. 

The Victim Service Unit can be reached at (302) 576-3622, and the Youth Response Unit can be reached at (302) 576-3183. 

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Delaware

Vigil held for 2 teens killed in hit-and-run in New Castle County; driver in custody

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Vigil held for 2 teens killed in hit-and-run in New Castle County; driver in custody


Two 17-year-olds, Cara and Nathan, were struck and killed while walking on South Dupont Highway, according to Delaware State Police. Police say the driver did not stay at the scene, but investigators have now arrested a suspect.

Community mourns teens killed on South Dupont Highway

What we know:

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Delaware State Police say the crash happened around 1:10 a.m. last Sunday while Cara and Nathan were walking an e-bike in or near the left lane of southbound Dupont Parkway near Denny Lynn Drive. Police say the driver initially stopped but then left the scene.

Troopers later arrested 23-year-old Nizaiah Ellis during a traffic stop and say the car had damage consistent with the crash.

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Police say the two teens were headed to Cara’s house to leave for a trip with her family later that day.

Family and friends gathered Tuesday for a memorial to remember Cara and Nathan. 

“It’s still new. It comes in waves but sometimes you just feel paralyzed and numb,” said Rachel Roderick and Heather Feeley, the teens’ mothers. 

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“I want others to hug their babies extra tight. Take so many photos you don’t know what to do to them. (Say yes to your kids more.)” said Roderick and Feeley.

“Forgiveness would have been easier had he not left our babies. Left. So senseless,” said Cara’s mother, Heather Feeley.

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Roderick said, “It’s beautiful. The love is what’s keeping us going. The support of the community.”

The teens’ lives and dreams remembered

Cara graduated high school a year early and was a student at Del Tech, hoping to become a cosmetologist. 

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Nathan would have been a senior in high school this fall and wanted to own a mechanics business working on boats, motorcycles and cars.

Family and friends described the teens as kind and deeply loved. 

“They were so kind. They loved everyone as is displayed here today. No one was not a friend and they loved each other immensely,” said Feeley. “They both touched so many lives and I don’t even think they realized how big of an impact they left on everyone,” said Roderick.

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Kaelynn Miller, one of Cara’s best friends who helped organize the memorial, said, “Kara and Nathan never deserved this. If anyone is listening to this they weren’t just a person. The people you took were some of the most genuine souls out there.”

Today would have been Cara’s 18th birthday. Parents said the two were dating at the time of their deaths.

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A GoFundMe has been set up for Cara’s family and Nathan’s family.

What we don’t know:

Police have not released further details about the investigation or any potential charges for the driver. 

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Additional information about the ongoing case has not been provided.

The Source: Information from Delaware State Police and interviews at the memorial.

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Crime & Public SafetyNewsNew Castle County



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