Delaware

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

Published

2 weeks 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

Sprinter Brady Robidas To Swim At University of Delaware (2024)

Published

19 mins ago

June 2, 2024

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Sprinter Brady Robidas To Swim At University of Delaware (2024)

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Brady Robidas has announced his commitment to swim and study at the University of Delaware, beginning this upcoming fall with the 2024-2025 season. Robidas hails from Reading, Pennsylvania, where attends Muhlenberg High School and trains with the Boyertown YMCA.

In addition to swimming, Robidas also played baseball and water polo in high school. He was named to the All-State first-team in Water Polo and was nominated as a finalist for the Pennsylvania Water Polo Player of the year award.

“Delaware was a great fit for me both academically and athletically. The school has great athletic facilities and the team and coaches made me feel like a Blue Hen from Day 1 of the recruiting process. There are also a lot of opportunities available with my major at Delaware which made the school a great fit.”

Robidas, a NISCA All-American, is the school record holder individually in the 50 & 100 free, as well as was a member of the school record-setting 400 freestyle relay. Both of his individual records were set at the Pennsylvania High School State Championships (3A) this spring, where he earned 3rd in the 50 (20.52) and 4th in the 100 (45.10).

More recently, Robidas wrapped up his short course season at the YMCA National Championships. He advanced to finals in the 50 free, where he ultimately finished 15th with a time of 20.66 in finals.

Top SCY Times

50 free – 20.52
100 free – 45.10
200 free – 1:41.95

Under the direction of head coach Pablo Marmolejo, the Delaware men were the runner-up finishers at the 2024 Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Championships. Following the CAA championships, rising senior and breaststroker Toni Sabev became the first swimmer from Delaware to qualify for the NCAA Division I Championships.

This year it took a 20.57 to qualify for the B-final in the 50 free at CAAs, putting Robidas right on the inside of scoring range. The 50 free was a relatively weaker event for Delaware this season, as the team’s top finisher was Addison Collins in 11th (20.41). Collins will overlap with Robidas for two seasons in Newark.

Robidas joins Derek Estep, Will Cross, Kade Snyder, Tyler Wilmore, James Haney, and Malcolm Collins in the Blue Hens’ incoming class this fall.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].

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Delaware

Update – One Suspect Arrested State Police Detectives Searching for Second Suspect in Seaford Shooting – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Published

7 hours ago

June 2, 2024

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*Update – One Suspect Arrested* State Police Detectives Searching for Second Suspect in Seaford Shooting – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Date Posted: Sunday, June 2nd, 2024

The Delaware State Police have arrested 20-year-old Lukas Morrison of Georgetown, Delaware for a shooting that occurred in Seaford on Wednesday.

On May 29, 2024, at approximately 6:21 p.m., troopers responded to a home on the 26000 block of Kelly Circle in Seaford for a report of a shooting. When troopers arrived, they learned that two unknown suspects fired several rounds at an occupied house and injured a 15-year-old girl. She was transported to an area hospital with a gunshot wound to her foot. Through investigative means, detectives identified Lukas and Tyler Morrison as the suspects in the shooting. On May 31, 2024, detectives arrested Lukas and continue to search for Tyler.

Lukas Morrison was arrested at Troop 4, charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $130,000 cash bond.

Lukas Morrison

Assault 1^st Degree (Felony)
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
Reckless Endangering 1^st Degree (Felony) – 7 counts
Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
Criminal Mischief – 2 counts

Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Detectives are still investigating this shooting. Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed or has information regarding this case to contact Detective W. Saylor by calling 302-752-3897. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

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Delaware

Colorado Springs Police searching for missing Delaware woman | KRDO

Published

14 hours ago

June 2, 2024

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Colorado Springs Police searching for missing Delaware woman | KRDO

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Police are searching for a missing teen out of Delaware who they think could be here in the Colorado Springs area.

Investigators say 17-year-old Joselyn Gonzalez’s phone last pinged near the Walmart on East Platte Avenue.

Officers say Joselyn could be with her ex-boyfriend, but they’re still unsure whether she left Delaware by choice.

Joselyn is Hispanic, approximately 4’9″, and 140 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. Police say she could be heading to Denver in a white pickup truck.

If you know where Joselyn might be, you’re asked to call Colorado Springs Police immediately at 719-444-7000.

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