Delaware

Delaware worker’s embezzlement revelation renews interest in inspector general bill

Published

6 months ago

May 20, 2024

Delaware worker’s embezzlement revelation renews interest in inspector general bill

Some lawmakers and open government activists say last year’s theft just coming to light now highlights the state’s lack of transparency with the public.

“The administration should let the public know what’s going on, in terms of a theft of this size of money from the state of Delaware,” said Senate Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn, a Republican from Georgetown. “Whether it’s a fund that’s contributed to by businesses, or whether it is your general fund money, that’s paid by all taxpayers in the state. When there’s this kind of theft, we should be informed about it.”

The legislation sponsored by State Sen. Laura Sturgeon, a Democrat from northern Delaware, would create an inspector general’s office. The inspector would be charged with investigating state agencies, and the General Assembly, when there’s an allegation of waste, fraud, abuse or corruption. The inspector general would hire a staff of 10 and would be required to be certified in investigation, auditing or evaluation within three years.

Under the proposal, the IG would be independent because it would not be an elected position. A selection panel would provide three names to the sitting governor, who would choose one to nominate for the position. The appointment must be confirmed by the Senate. The IG would serve five-year terms.

Sturgeon said an Office of Inspector General would make incidents like the theft of taxpayer money from the UI trust fund more transparent to the public. She said it would add to the oversight of the attorney general and auditor of accounts, not duplicate them.

“The only way the public ever finds out about an investigation is if it leads to prosecution, and in which case, then you find out whatever comes out during the trial, if there’s a trial,” Sturgeon said. “If they don’t find enough evidence to prosecute, or there is no trial, it’s not like the attorney general then gives a big press release to the public sharing all the information that they gathered in their investigation. It’s just all kept very quiet. So these exact kinds of situations where — but for an Office of the Inspector General — the public may never know what’s happening behind closed doors.”

The sponsor said the office would investigate allegations of misconduct. Sturgeon said the IG would create a report that would be released to the public and posted to its website, but Sturgeon said the reports might not be released right away. Reports would not be created if the office determined there was no wrongdoing.

Sturgeon said the IG will have subpoena power and will be able to obtain documents currently barred from view by the public through exemptions under Delaware’s open records law. However, the new office would be able to exempt information of its own from the public, such as investigative documents.

The Delaware Coalition for Open Government’s John Flaherty said the creation of an IG office will provide a layer of transparency the public lacks due to the amount of information state officials are currently able to shield because of exemptions in the open records law. He said open government advocates have fought for over 20 years to make Delaware’s Freedom of Information Act laws more transparent, only to encounter fierce pushback from government officials.

“[The inspector general’s office] will release a report and that report will have the critical information that we’re looking for,” he said. “We really don’t need to see the specific documents, as long as the substance of those documents are contained in a report released to the public.”

The bill has bipartisan support, including Republicans Sen. Pettyjohn and Rep. Mike Smith. Long-time former Auditor Tom Wagner opposes the concept.

“You’re just creating another office with more overhead,” he said. “And then how do you differentiate between who gets the fraud: the inspector general, the auditor’s office or the AG’s office?”

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Delaware

Autumn’s newest tradition: The Delaware Fall Festival at Battery Park

Published

1 hour ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Autumn’s newest tradition: The Delaware Fall Festival at Battery Park

Sunday’s autumn weather was perfect for the inaugural Delaware Fall Festival.

The event took place at Battery Park in the historic Old New Castle area of New Castle, providing the ideal setting for a community gathering and a worthy cause.

The free event was organized to raise funds and awareness for the New Castle Outdoor Recreation Coalition’s planned expansion of the park’s playground. Phase 2 of the Battery Park Playground Project will feature a replica of the Kalmar Nyckel, the Swedish flagship that brought settlers who established the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley in 1638.

The festival featured live entertainment, children’s activities, and various food vendors.

Renee Duval, a three-year resident of New Castle, attended the festival with her husband and two children. As regular visitors to Battery Park who often stroll the path near Deemers Beach, they were excited to explore the event after hearing about the food trucks, music, and vendors.

Among the vendors was Theresa Batts, owner of Batts Concessions from Hartford County, Maryland, who learned about the festival through social media. She said the timing was perfect. She and her husband prefer to sell on weekends, but it is very hard to find events on a Sunday. And this weekend, they were celebrating their business’s first anniversary. Batts Concessions offered an array of treats, including kettle corn, homemade peanut brittle, various nuts, and cotton candy. When asked how sales were going, Batts replied, “Fantastic. No complaints. We would definitely do it again next year.”

Delaware Fall Festival organizers hope to make this an annual tradition for the historic waterfront community.

You can contact Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

AAA predicts heavy travel over Thanksgiving holiday

Published

10 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

AAA predicts heavy travel over Thanksgiving holiday

For many people, Thanksgiving means full stomachs, full hearts … and full roads.

According to AAA, travel over the Thanksgiving holiday is expected to set records. Jana Tidwell is with AAA.

“Nearly 217,000 Delawareans will travel 50 miles or more for the holiday,” she said. “That’s more than 20% of the population. Of those traveling in Delaware, more than 91% will travel by car.”

Tuesday and Wednesday are likely to be the worst travel days on the roads.

“The challenge with Tuesday and Wednesday is that holiday travelers will be mixing with commuters, especially in the late afternoon time,” Tidwell said.

Tidwell suggests traveling during off-peak times, like early in the mornings or after the evening rush hour. Whenever you travel, Tidwell says to be patient, follow the rules of the road, and avoid distractions like cell phones and eating behind the wheel.

AAA notes the window for holiday travel is longer this year, adding Tuesday before Thanksgiving and the Monday after to their definition of the holiday weekend. Tidwell says that’s because the advent of remote work and changes in school schedules have allowed for more flexibility in travel.

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Delaware

Delaware Lottery Powerball, Play 3 Day winning numbers for Nov. 23, 2024

Published

18 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Delaware Lottery Powerball, Play 3 Day winning numbers for Nov. 23, 2024

The Delaware Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

12-13-34-44-67, Powerball: 08, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 3 numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

Day: 7-9-1

Night: 8-5-1

Check Play 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 4 numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

Day: 8-4-2-0

Night: 3-6-9-6

Check Play 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Multi-Win Lotto numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

02-05-09-20-27-31

Check Multi-Win Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

11-20-21-26-31, Lucky Ball: 07

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

02-08-10-14-49, Star Ball: 09, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 5 numbers from Nov. 23 drawing

Day: 9-3-5-9-8

Night: 9-9-6-1-6

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.

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.

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