Delaware

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

Published

3 months ago

September 29, 2024

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.

“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.”

“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.

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.

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Delaware

Delaware County Opioid Settlement Task Force Needs Volunteer Members

Published

2 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Delaware County Opioid Settlement Task Force Needs Volunteer Members

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Delaware County is looking for residents to sit on its Delaware County Opioid Settlement Task Force.

Sought are passionate and dedicated residents to serve on the task force.

Members help provide recommendations for immediate and long-term programs, work alongside community leaders, experts, and advocates, and ensure funds are used effectively, transparently, and for maximum impact.

“This is your chance to play a vital role in shaping how settlement funds are used to combat the opioid crisis in our community,”the county said.

Residents interested in serving on the task force can apply online here.

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Delaware

Delaware Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Dec. 25, 2024

Published

11 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Delaware Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life winning numbers for Dec. 25, 2024

The Delaware Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

15-26-27-30-35, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

04-10-35-42-45, Lucky Ball: 02

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

04-05-40-42-52, Star Ball: 10, ASB: 03

Check Lotto America 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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Delaware

State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Wilmington

Published

21 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Wilmington

The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred last night in Wilmington that left one man dead.

On December 24, 2024, at approximately 7:28 p.m., a blue 2009 Hyundai Elantra was traveling northbound on Thompson Bridge Road, north of Guyencourt Road. For reasons under investigation, the Hyundai traveled into the southbound lane of Thompson Bridge Road, and into the path of a black 2015 Mazda 6 that was traveling southbound. As a result, the front of the Hyundai struck the front of the Mazda in the southbound lane of Thompson Bridge Road. After the initial impact, the Mazda traveled in a northeast direction and came to a stop near a tree line. The Hyundai remained in the roadway due to being disabled and was subsequently struck by a white 2018 Kia Sportage traveling southbound on Thompson Bridge Road.

The preliminary investigation revealed the two occupants of the Hyundai were outside of the vehicle after the initial collision, and one of the occupants was struck by the Kia.

The driver of the Hyundai has not been determined at this time. The Hyundai was occupied by a 22-year-old man from Wilmington, Delaware, and an unidentified man. The 22-year-old man was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His name is being withheld until his family and relatives are notified. The second occupant of the Hyundai was taken to an area hospital by EMS, where he was admitted for critical injuries.

The driver of the Mazda, a 45-year-old man from West Chester, Pennsylvania, was not injured.

The driver of the Kia, a 31-year-old woman from Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, was taken to an area hospital by EMS for non-life-threatening injuries.

The roadway was closed for approximately 5.5 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Wilmington

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to please contact Master Corporal R. Kunicki by calling 302-365-8417. 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 you 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 [email protected].

The post State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Wilmington appeared first on Delaware State Police – State of Delaware.

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