Ex-Delaware budget director pleads guilty to shoplifting from Home Depot

Cade, wearing a dark blue suit, appeared contrite and said little but “yes” or “no” to Danberg’s questions about admitting guilt, waiving his rights and understanding the terms of the agreement.

Asked how he pleaded to the single count of shoplifting, Cade said, “Guilty, your honor.”

Danberg also admonished his former fellow state official who, until his stunning arrest, oversaw how Delaware’s government spent its $7.2 billion operating and capital budget last year.

“I am sorry to see you under these circumstances, and a little disappointed, frankly,’’ Danberg told the solemn defendant.

Danberg said he was also concerned by the timing of Cade’s crime.

“Mr. Cade, most people grow into their crimes as teenagers, grow out of them by [age] 36,’’ Danberg said. “That’s kind of the norm, right? You don’t usually see people with their first offenses at your age. The question I have in my mind is, ‘What is going on?’ so I can tailor my sentence to your needs.”

Cade did not respond, instead deferring to his attorney.

“We are all prone to making impulsive bad judgments,’’ Foley said. “I have seen very well-to-do people charged with shoplifting. Sometimes it’s an adventure ride, sometimes it’s power and control.”

As for his client, Foley called him “a very hard-working, dedicated person. He’s a decent citizen. I just think it’s one of the impulsive things that humans do without a great explanation.”

“But it’s not the norm that we run into,’’ Danberg said.

“No, no,’’ Foley said.

Petrucci said none of the items Cade stole were ones that thieves take to re-sell, and said it was “prudent’’ to have the defendant undergo a mental evaluation.

Danberg said it’s up to the state Probation & Parole Office to decide if Cade has to stay under state supervision for the full year, or to discharge him early. He also ordered Cade to avoid any Home Depot stores for a year, even if his probation ends early.

He also warned Cade about any slip-ups.

“I expect you to stay absolutely out of trouble,’’ the judge said. “You don’t even spit on a sidewalk. No speeding tickets. If you pick up any new offense of any kind I will impose the conviction” and void the plea agreement.

“Mr. Cade, I hope that when I see you again, as I assume you will, that it’s under better conditions, that this is a blip on your record.”

‘The notoriety has interfered with his career, but he owns it’

After the hearing, Foley met briefly with Cade and then told WHYY News the matter was fairly resolved.

“He obviously regrets his actions,’’ Foley said. “I’m confident this is something that will never happen again. The notoriety that he suffered has interfered with his career, but he owns it.”

“He’s never tried to minimize what happened and he’s just gonna move on at this point, and the good news is that he’ll be able to resolve this case without any form of conviction on his record. He’s a good person who made a mistake and that’s what makes us human.”

Petrucci would not comment afterward. Nor would Attorney General Jennings but her spokesman Mat Marshall, who knows Cade from their years in Democratic campaigns and in state government, told WHYY News the prosecution is satisfied with the plea deal.

“This is a resolution that gets everybody what they need,” Marshall said. “We’re not talking about a candidate for a prison sentence, regardless of who the defendant is, for this kind of offense.”

“This is why we have a probation system and this allows Mr. Cade to get the accountability that he needs and the help that he needs, while making [Home Depot] whole. That’s how the justice system is supposed to work.”