Draft:List of Delaware political scandals

This article provides a list of political scandals which occurred in the State of Delaware. It is organized in reverse chronological order from most recent to oldest.

Politician is defined as "a person who is professionally involved in politics", and includes not only those elected to office, their staffs and appointees, but also those who routinely work in politics such as pollsters. Major officials of political parties and their staffs, as well as those elected by their party to be candidates are also included. Local politicians, mayors, sheriffs, and county officials should not be included.

Scandal is defined as "loss of, or damage to, reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety". Breaking the law is always considered a scandal. The finding of a public court is the sole method used to determine a violation of law, but it is not the sole method of determining a scandal.

Please note that all people are considered innocent until proven guilty. Allegations of misconduct do not imply guilt nor do admissions of guilt in the absence of a conviction. Investigations that end without a determination do not imply innocence.

Breaches of ethics, unproven crimes or cover-ups may or may not result in inclusion depending on the amount of publicity generated, and the seriousness of the crime, if any. Notoriety and notability are a major determinant of a scandal. Politicians who resign, quit, flee, or commit suicide while being investigated or threatened with investigation may also be included.

Different scandals on different dates may result in multiple listings.

The list does not include crimes that occur outside the politician's tenure (such as before or after his term in office) unless they specifically stem from acts made while in office, such as bribery, and discovered later.

Given the political nature of legislatures where the leading party has determining power, politicians who are Rebuked, Denounced, Censured, Admonished, Condemned, Suspended, Reprimanded, Found in Contempt, Found to have Acted Improperly, or of using Poor Judgment are not included unless the scandal is exceptional or leads to further action such as expulsion, conviction or resignation. Executive pardons may or may not be mentioned, but do not erase the scandal. The verdict and legal proceedings are not affected by pardons, but may affect the sentence.

State of Delaware

• Kathy McGuiness (D) State Auditor, was charged with conflict of interest and official misconduct for hiring her daughter and allowing her special privileges. She was convicted and sentenced to one year of probation, 500 hours of community service, and a $10,000 fine. She then resigned. (2022)

• Gerald Brady (D) State Representative from Wilmington in District Four, was accused of emailing a racial slur about Asian-Americans sex workers in which he used the term “chink broads.” In January he was arrested for shoplifting. In February he resigned. (2021)

• Brad Bennett (D) State Representative from Dover in District 32, pled guilty to a second DUI arrest in which he side swiped a police car. He was given a 60-day jail sentence, 1 year probation and fined. He did not run for re-election. His wife did. (2012)

• Eric Bodenweiser (R) Candidate for State Senator in District 19, and stalwart member of the Tea Party, was accused of 117 counts of child molestation with a young boy in the 1980’s. Shortly before his arrest, Bodenweiser abruptly ended his state senate campaign. He pled guilty and was sentenced to one year of probation for committing two acts of unlawful sexual contact and was forced to register as a Tier One sex offender. (2012)

• John C. Atkins (R) State Representative from Millsboro in District 41, was arrested for drunk driving and arrested again the same night for forcibly touching, stalking and non compliance. He served 22 days in jail and resigned his seat before expulsion. (2006)

See also

• Lists of political scandals in the United States by state or territory
• List of federal political scandals in the United States
• List of American state and local politicians convicted of crimes

References

This page will be placed in the following categories if it is moved to the article namespace.

Categories:

• Political history of Delaware
• Lists of political scandals in the United States by state or territory
• Delaware-related lists