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DCRPT secures convictions against ex-Connections employee

Convictions secured after former DOC nurse was caught lying to investigators The Delaware Department of Justice’s Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust (DCRPT) has secured two misdemeanor convictions against a former employee of Connections, which at the time served as the Department of Correction’s (DOC) medical contractor. “Delawareans deserve integrity from every publicly paid […]



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DCRPT, DSP indict Trooper for phantom ticket scheme

Corporal faces four charges, including felonies, after DSP notified DCRPT Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Tuesday that the Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust has indicted a suspended State Trooper for orchestrating a fraudulent warning scheme that has victimized dozens of motorists, though the full scale of his misconduct is yet to be determined. Delaware State […]



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DCRPT convicts former Dewey Beach police officer for 2019 assault

Ex-officer receives felony conviction, permanently stripped of badge and gun Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Wednesday that the Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust (DCRPT) has convicted a former Dewey Beach police officer for assaulting an innocent, injured person and then lying to the Court to have the victim incarcerated. “Abuse of authority, brutality, and dishonesty […]



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AG Jennings sues Monsanto for PCB contamination

Claims include public nuisance, trespass and unjust enrichment Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings filed a lawsuit Wednesday against agrochemical giant Monsanto and two of its corporate spinoffs for long-lasting damage to Delaware’s natural resources. The lawsuit seeks to recover damages and clean-up costs associated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), extremely toxic and persistent chemicals which Monsanto […]



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Statement from AG Jennings On Conviction of Michael Hastings

Attorney General Kathy Jennings released the following statement Thursday after the Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust secured a jury conviction against a Dover man for two violent felonies.  Originally indicted in October 2020 after removing and pointing a handgun toward others during a counter-protest, Michael Hastings was convicted today of Reckless Endangering 1st […]



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Grand Jury indicts State Auditor for Abuse of Office

Lengthy DCRPT investigation yields five charges, including felonies Charges include orchestrating State contract with political consultant Indictment alleges McGuiness hired teenage daughter, paid her while enrolled in college   Following an investigation involving dozens of witness interviews, thousands of document reviews, and more than a year of work, Attorney General Kathy Jennings and the DOJ’s […]



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Former Wilmington City Council President Convicted of Official Misconduct

Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Monday that the Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust (DCRPT) has convicted former Wilmington City Council President Theopalis Gregory for Official Misconduct. “This conviction affirms that our state will not tolerate abusing public office and enriching oneself at the taxpayers’ expense,” said Attorney General Jennings. “Delawareans deserve integrity and, […]



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New Defendant Indicted in NorthPak Case

The Department of Justice has secured an indictment adding a new defendant in the case against the Wilmington-area gang NorthPak. “Gun violence continues to devastate families in our state, and while the causes of that violence are legion we cannot address it without taking on gangs,” said Attorney General Jennings. “We believe that this group […]



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AG Jennings joins nationwide investigation into Instagram’s impact on youth

Attorney General Jennings today joined a nationwide investigation into Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, for providing and promoting its social media platform – Instagram – to children and young adults despite knowing that such use is associated with physical and mental health harms. Attorneys General across the country are examining whether the company […]




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New Charges, Defendant Added to NorthPak Indictment  

The Department of Justice has secured a reindictment adding a new defendant, and several charges against existing defendants, in the case against the Wilmington-area gang NorthPak. “This reindictment is yet another product of the amazing work that prosecutors and police are doing to take down NorthPak,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These are not simple cases. […]



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New Charges, Defendant Added To NorthPak Indictment  

The Department of Justice has secured a reindictment adding a new defendant, and several charges against existing defendants, in the case against the Wilmington-area gang NorthPak. “This reindictment is yet another product of the amazing work that prosecutors and police are doing to take down NorthPak,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These are not simple cases. […]



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Serial Rapist Found Guilty On All Charges

Prosecutors have convicted Kwesi Hudson on 15 charges, including multiple felonies. Hudson, 50, was indicted in 2018 for a string of robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assault against three victims in February and March of 2017. “These heinous crimes victimized three women and terrorized an entire community for months,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. “I’m grateful […]



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DOJ Secures Conviction, Sentences In Violent Gun Cases

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AG Jennings Announces Lawsuit Against Seaford

Chancery filing seeks invalidation of illegal fetal tissue ordinance After twice warning the City of Seaford that it was considering an anti-choice ordinance that was contrary to State law, Attorney General Kathy Jennings has filed suit against the City of Seaford over the ordinance.  The ordinance, passed on December 14 and scheduled to become effective […]



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Attorney General Jennings announces $1.85 billion Navient settlement 

More than 1,500 Delaware borrowers to see relief Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Thursday that Navient, one of the nation’s largest student loan servicers, will provide $1.85 billion in relief to student borrowers under a multistate settlement stemming from allegations of widespread unfair, deceptive, and predatory practices. More than 97% of Delaware’s $5.34 million share […]



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AG Jennings Unveils DOJ Human Trafficking Unit

Closing out Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Attorney General Kathy Jennings joined advocates, State and local partners, and prosecutors Monday to announce the formation of the Delaware Department of Justice’s first dedicated Human Trafficking Unit (HTU). “Human trafficking is among the direst human rights crises of this century,” said Attorney General Jennings. “Awareness has grown by orders of magnitude in recent years, […]



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Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust Secures First Hate Crime Conviction

Defendant convicted of racist harassment of Governor’s employee The Attorney General’s Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust (DCRPT) secured a historic guilty verdict in a felony hate crimes case, Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Thursday. A New Castle County jury convicted Defendant Matthew Gregg of Hate Crimes, Harassment, and Terroristic Threatening, for repeatedly verbally […]



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AG Jennings, ATF, DSP Announce 91 Felony Charges Against Sussex County Straw Purchasers

Guns used in Dover homicide, New Castle County suicide; many remain unrecovered Attorney General Kathy Jennings joined law enforcement and prosecutors Wednesday to announce that the DOJ has secured 87 felony charges against five defendants who are collectively charged with illegally purchasing and providing to others more than 60 firearms, including guns recovered at the […]



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AG Indicts Ex-Officer In Excessive Force Cases

Defendant faces eight charges, including assault, misconduct, and multiple felonies Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Monday that the DOJ’s Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust (DCRPT) secured an indictment against a former Wilmington police officer for two excessive force cases that took place in September 2021, including one incident that came to DCRPT’s attention […]



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Former Dover Police Officer Pleads Guilty To DUI, Official Misconduct

Defendant banned from law enforcement, required to undergo treatment Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Tuesday that the Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust (DCRPT) has reached a pre-indictment plea agreement with a former Dover police officer who experienced an opioid overdose in his patrol vehicle and later tested positive for fentanyl and marijuana. “This […]



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AG Jennings Alerts Consumers Impacted By 2021 T-Mobile Data Breach To Take Steps To Protect Their Personal Information

Attorney General Kathleen Jennings urges all Delaware residents who believe they were impacted by the data breach announced by T-Mobile in August 2021 to take appropriate steps to protect their information from identity theft. On August 17,  T-Mobile reported a massive data breach compromising the sensitive personal information of millions of current, former, and prospective […]



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AG Jennings Announces $6 Billion National Settlement In Principle With Purdue Pharma and Sackler family

Jennings successfully appealed from original deal, more than doubling Delaware’s recovery with up to $25 million extra Institutions may remove Sackler name from buildings, scholarships; Sacklers to be banned from opioid business and Purdue to dissolve Attorney General Jennings announced today a tentative settlement worth as much as $6 billion with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family […]



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Human Trafficking Unit’s First Month Yields Three Illicit Massage Parlor Shutdowns, Felony Charges

Three illicit massage establishments (IMEs) were shut down in February, the first full month of operation for the DOJ’s first Human Trafficking Unit (HTU), Attorney General Jennings announced Thursday. “These investigations highlight a continuing pattern that we’ve seen time and time again: human trafficking often happens in plain sight,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These were […]



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Three Men Sentenced in Connection With Operation Rise-N-Shyne

Defendants sentenced to total of 47 years for gun, drug offenses Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Friday that the Department of Justice secured drug and firearms sentences in February against three Kent County men who were arrested in connection with the joint state/federal Operation Rise-N-Shyne investigation. “Justice called for robust sentences in these cases,” said […]



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DOJ Convicts Kent County Man of 77 Counts Related to Sexual Abuse of Children 

Defendant facing life in prison for repeatedly raping two juvenile victims, ages 8 and 14 After one week of trial, a Kent County jury convicted a Magnolia man of 77 felony offenses in connection with the serial sexual abuse of two juvenile children. Richard Haines, 59, faces a 462-year minimum mandatory sentence and will be required […]



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DCRPT Secures Guilty Plea, Two Indictments In Board Of Pardons Cases

Defendants face felony charges, including Perjury, for submitting fake documents The DOJ’s Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust has secured a guilty plea to Perjury, and two indictments on Perjury and Forgery charges, against three Delaware men who submitted forged documents in their applications to the Delaware Board of Pardons. “You can’t begin a second chance with […]



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DCRPT Indicts Officer for Sexual Solicitation of a Child

DOJ’s Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust indicted Monday a former Wilmington Police Department (WPD) after an investigation revealed that he sent lewd text messages to a 17-year-old whom he met while on duty. “The facts of this case are grave and disturbing,” said Attorney General Jennings. “The defendant in this case swore an […]



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AG Jennings Issues Consumer, Investor Advisories Related to the Conflict in Ukraine 

“It speaks volumes of our neighbors that so many Delawareans have taken action to help the Ukrainian people,” said Attorney General Jennings.  “Unfortunately, scammers are shameless and see a crisis as an opportunity. To protect yourself, and to ensure that your donations reach people in need, everyone should take steps to ensure that their contributions go to legitimate causes.  My office will do its part in ensuring that those who seek to profit from the pain and suffering of the Ukrainian people are investigated and brought to justice.”



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DOJ releases February violent crime prosecution recap

Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Friday that the Department of Justice charged 130 gun offenders and secured more than 245 total years in prison sentences on 18 gun convictions in the month of February.  Since 2019, the DOJ has an 83% conviction rate in Superior Court gun cases. “My first priority is combatting violent crime—particularly gun […]



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DOJ Seeks Public’s Assistance in Sussex County Sexual Abuse Case

Prosecutors seek additional victims of Ellendale pastor The Delaware Department of Justice is seeking the public’s assistance in the prosecution of a Sussex County pastor indicted for Unlawful Sexual Contact, and is requesting that any additional victims contact law enforcement. Major Foster, a Lincoln man who at the time was employed as pastor of Ellendale’s […]



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DCRPT Secures Convictions Against Former Land Bank Director

The Delaware Department of Justice’s Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust (DCRPT) has secured two convictions against William Freeborn, the former Executive Director of the Wilmington Neighborhood Conservancy Land Bank (WNCLB). “If you abuse the public’s trust we will hold you accountable,” said Attorney General Jennings. “The defendant used a position of public confidence to […]



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DOJ Releases March Violent Crime Prosecution Recap 

Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Friday that the Department of Justice charged 102 gun offenders and secured 279.5 total years in prison sentences on 67 gun convictions in the month of March. “My first priority is combatting violent crime—particularly gun crimes,” said AG Jennings.  “Gun violence is a both a national crisis and a local one. In Delaware, […]



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DOJ, Community Partners, Amazon to Host Expungement and Employment fair April 28 

In honor of Second Chance Month, the Delaware DOJ’s Community Engagement Unit is partnering with the Delaware Center for Justice and several community groups to host a joint job fair and expungement clinic at the Route 9 Library and Innovation Center in New Castle on Thursday, April 28 from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. The […]



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DCRPT Secures Prison Sentence in Sussex County Hate Crime

A Sussex County man has been sentenced to two years in prison for a hate crime involving a neighbor. James Raab, of Laurel, was sentenced on April 22 after pleading guilty to felony Hate Crime, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, Aggravated Menacing, and Resisting Arrest. Raab, 38, was arrested […]



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Attorney General Jennings Announces $141 Million TurboTax Settlement

All 50 states reach agreement with Intuit for deceiving low-income Americans into paying for free tax services Attorney General Kathy Jennings today secured over $400,000 for low-income Delawareans from the owner of TurboTax, Intuit Inc. (Intuit), for deceiving Delaware consumers into paying for tax services that should have been free. As a result of a […]



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Attorney General Jennings announces investigation into tech sales bootcamp

Attorney General Kathleen Jennings announced today that the Delaware Department of Justice Consumer Protection Unit is investigating tech sales bootcamp Prehired and its CEO, Joshua Jordan. The investigation began in March, after Prehired filed nearly 300 debt-collection lawsuits in the Delaware Justice of the Peace Court seeking to enforce its income share agreements. Prehired started […]



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DOJ, Wilmington PD Indict Gun Offenders on 75 Charges

Indictment includes multiple Attempted Murder, Vehicle Theft charges Four Wilmington men have been indicted following an investigation into a series of connected events in which the defendants are alleged to have stolen motor vehicles and used them in shootings. The defendants – Kyair Keys, Walike Parham, Markel Richards, and Jahmir Morris-Whit – collectively face 75 […]



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Statement from AG Jennings on Supreme Court’s Climate Ruling

Attorney General Kathy Jennings released today the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency: “The Supreme Court’s ruling is the latest in a dangerous, disgraceful pattern of decisions that risk the health of our neighbors, of our state, and now the very fate of our planet. The […]



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Statement From AG Jennings On McGuiness Verdict

Attorney General Kathy Jennings released the following statement today after a jury convicted State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness of Official Misconduct, Structuring, and Conflict of Interest: “From the moment I took office, I promised that no one would be either above the law or beneath justice. Today’s guilty verdict confirmed that. After weeks or grueling trial […]



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AG Jennings announces $34.2 million national settlement with Harris Jewelry 

Jewelry chain defrauded thousands of servicemembers and veterans Attorney General Kathy Jennings, through the Fraud Division’s Consumer Protection Unit and in connection with 17 other states and the FTC, has secured a recovery of $34.2 million for more than 46,000 servicemembers and veterans nationwide who were deceived and defrauded by jewelry retailer Harris Jewelry. Harris […]



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William Ushler indicted for Child Pornography, Sexual Solicitation of a Child

Ex-Tower Hill employee faces seven felonies; no Delaware children or THS students among known victims A Wilmington man and former Tower Hill School employee arrested in April has been indicted on charges arising from a child pornography investigation. William Ushler, 53, was arrested and charged on April 19 by members of the Department of Justice […]



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AG Jennings Announces Major Settlement With Former Top Mortgage Lender Over Allegations Of Redlining

Deal commits Trident Mortgage to pay for mortgage subsidies in minority neighborhoods, spurring hundreds of millions in lending Attorney General Jennings today announced a $20 million settlement with former top home mortgage lender, Trident Mortgage Company, to resolve allegations of “redlining” in the greater Philadelphia region, including New Castle County. The deal requires Trident to […]



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Attorney General Jennings Announces Formation of Nationwide Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force

Delaware is joining a nationwide Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force of 50 attorneys general to investigate and take legal action against the telecommunications companies responsible for bringing a majority of foreign robocalls into the United States.



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AG Jennings Applauds CJC Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Policy Changes

Attorney General Kathy Jennings applauded several policy changes implemented by the Criminal Justice Council as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen rights for survivors of sexual assault. The new policies establish timelines for the collection, documentation, processing and investigation of assault evidence “kits.” This policy is a result of funding received from the U.S. […]



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Jennings, State AGs Reach $450 Million Settlement As Part Of Opioid Maker Endo’s Bankruptcy

Attorney General Kathy Jennings and fellow attorneys general have reached an agreement in principle with opioid maker Endo International plc and its lenders that would provide up to $450 million to participating states and local governments, ban promotion of Endo’s opioids, and require Endo to turn over documents related to its role in the opioid […]



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Jennings, DSP Announce Trooper Plea In Computer System Misuse Case

A Delaware State Trooper has pleaded guilty to Misuse of Computer System Information, Attorney General Kathy Jennings and Col. Melissa Zebley announced Friday.  The case was prosecuted by the Department of Justice’s Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust after Delaware State Police supervisors discovered and reported Boyda’s conduct. James D. Boyda, a five-year veteran of […]



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AG Jennings Announces $438.5 Million Multistate Agreement with JUUL Labs

Attorney General Jennings announced today a $438.5 million agreement in principle between JUUL Labs and 34 states and territories resolving a two-year bipartisan investigation into the e-cigarette manufacturer’s marketing and sales practices. In addition to the financial terms, the settlement would force JUUL to comply with a series of strict injunctive terms severely limiting their marketing and sales practices. […]



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Wilmington Man Sentenced in Revenge Murder Case

A Wilmington man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a 2018 murder. On August 26, Elgin Wilson, 20, pleaded guilty to Murder 2nd Degree and was sentenced to 25 years in prison, suspended after 20 years for descending levels of probation. Wilson also pleaded guilty to Conspiracy 2nd Degree and was sentenced […]



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Two Wilmington Gang Members Sentenced for Murders, Gun Charges

Two defendants affiliated with the Wilmington-area gang MGS have been sentenced to a collective 61 years in prison in connection with multiple shootings, including three murders. Both defendants were identified and arrested as a result of a years-long investigation into MGS, a violent gang at the center of nearly 200 criminal charges involving 19 defendants and […]



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DOJ Secures 646 Charges Against Husband, Wife for Serial Child Abuse and Torture

A Kent County couple has been indicted on 646 charges, including more than 80 felonies, for abusing their two children. Over a period of 20 months, Mary Vinson, 45, and Charles Vinson, 36, are alleged to have abused their children, including making them stand for long periods of time; withholding food; force feeding them; and […]



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