Free program offered by the Attorney General’s Office helps consumers guard against identify theft

Wilmington – Attorney General Beau Biden announced three consumer shredding events next month to help consumers guard against identity theft by facilitating the safe disposal of documents containing sensitive identifying information.  At each event, sponsored by Biden’s Consumer Protection Unit, free on-site document shredding will be offered and staff will be on-hand to provide information and answer questions about consumer frauds and scams.

“Identity theft continues to be one of our nation’s fastest-growing crimes and safely disposing of sensitive documents, along with regularly monitoring your financial accounts for unauthorized activity and limiting information you post about yourself online, are important steps you can take to help guard against identify theft and fraud,” Attorney General Biden said.  “I also urge Delawareans to gather together unneeded documents containing personal information and bring them to us for free on-site shredding at our consumer shredding events in April.”

Each consumer may bring up to three file-sized boxes of documents, which may contain paper file folders, staples, and paperclips; emptied boxes will be immediately returned to consumers.

According to the federal government, about 7% of individuals over 16 years of age were victims of identity theft in 2012, and 85% of identity theft incidents involved the fraudulent use of existing account information, such as credit card or bank account information.  Moreover, financial loss from identity theft nationally reached nearly $25 billion in 2012 (see http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/press/vit12pr.cfm).  Shredding bank statements, bills, and other documents that contain consumers’ information is one easy step Delawareans can take to help prevent ID theft.

Shredding events will take place as follows:

Saturday, April 5

9 am to 1 pm

Lowe’s/BJ’s parking lot

Peninsula Crossing Shopping Center, Route 113, Millsboro

Saturday, April 12

9 am to 1 pm

DelDOT Administration Building parking lot

800 Bay Road, just south of the Route 13-113 split, Dover

Saturday, April 26

9 am to 1 pm

William Penn High School parking lot

713 East Basin Road (Route 141), New Castle

Consumers can learn more about protecting themselves from identity theft by visiting www.attorneygeneral.delaware.gov or contacting the Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline at 1-800-220-5424.

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Wilmington – Delawareans should be aware of fraudulent e-mail messages claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service’s Taxpayer Advocacy Service, but in reality are part of a scam attempt, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden said today.

The e-mails contain a made-up case number, the Taxpayer Advocacy Center’s actual logo and reads: “Your reported 2013 income is flagged for review due to a document processing error. Your case has been forwarded to the Taxpayer Advocate Service for resolution assistance. To avoid delays processing your 2013 filing contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service for resolution assistance.”

The fraudulent e-mail then provides a link that solicits personal information from the recipient, such as legal name and contact information.

Those who receive these bogus e-mails should not click on any of the links or provide any of the information requested. The e-mails should be forwarded to the IRS’ designed account for fraudulent emails, which is phishing@irs.gov.  Please note that the IRS does not communicate with taxpayers through e-mail.

Delawareans who receive unsolicited phone calls, e-mails, or other messages that they believe may be a scam should report those communications to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-220-5424 or sending an email to consumer.protection@delaware.gov.

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Brian Michalski was named the 2014 Delaware Tree Farmer of the Year at the recent annual meeting of the Delaware Forestry Association held in Bridgeville. Michalski owns a 59-acre tree farm near Greenwood in Sussex County that became a certified Delaware Tree Farm in 1997 and was recertified in 2010. An active Tree Farm inspecting forester since 2001, Michalski also chaired the Delaware Tree Farm Program Committee from 2000 to 2003. Currently, he is President of the Delaware Forestry Association, a post he has held for about four years.

As a procurement forester for Hardwood Mills – based in Millington, Maryland – Michalski has actively managed his 59-acre tree farm largely through his own efforts. The property, which consists of 30 acres of mixed upland/wetland hardwoods and 29 acres of native pine trees, is operated under an active Forest Stewardship Plan. Previous management activities include:

•  2013 = TSI (timber stand improvement) on 10 acres of hardwood by himself – girdling & chemical application
• 2011 = 25 acres of pine aerial sprayed with Arsenal
• 2010 = 25 acres of pine pre-commercial thinned, residues left at site
• 2005 = 5 acres of pine TSI
• 2004 = spot planted Bald cypress and Loblolly pine throughout woodland
• 2002 = spot planted about 2,000 pine trees
• 2001 = pine area intensely managed, 25 acres of pine plantation established, aerial application of Arsenal
• TSI in hardwoods to release oaks, yellow-poplar and gums

Delaware’s program is affiliated with the American Tree Farm System, which was established in 1942. As a program of the American Forest Foundation (AFF), the American Tree Farm System focuses on the long-term sustainability of America’s forests in ecological and economic terms. The vision statement of AFF states, “AFF is committed to creating a future where North American forests are sustained by the public that understand and values the social, economic, and environmental benefits they provide to our communities, our nation, and the world. The network of over 90,000 woodland owners is organized through state committees and governed at the national level. Currently 45 of the 50 states have committees.

For more information about the Delaware Tree Farm Program, contact Dot Abbott at (302) 730-4000. Email: dotad@udel.edu

Defendant committed violent 2011 robberies of Wilmington barbershops;

Convicted of attempted murder, 29 other charges

WILMINGTON – The man convicted of committing two violent robberies of Wilmington barbershops was declared a habitual offender today by a New Castle County Superior Court judge and will spend the rest of his life in prison, Attorney General Beau Biden announced.

Superior Court M. Jane Brady granted a request by prosecutors in Biden’s office that 25-year-old Rashie T. Harris be sentenced under the state’s habitual offender law. Harris has been convicted of 30 offenses, including multiple violent felonies. Harris’ habitual offender status triggered significantly enhanced sentences under Delaware law. Brady sentenced Harris to a life term plus 527 years today.

Harris was convicted of the following charges:

• Attempted Murder First Degree
• 11 Counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
• 2 Counts of Burglary Second Degree
• 8 Counts of Robbery First Degree
• 2 Counts of Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited
• Unlawful Sexual Contact 1^st Degree
• Kidnapping Second Degree
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
• Resisting Arrest
• Possession of Marijuana

Harris committed a robbery at the Runnway Barbershop in the Southbridge neighborhood of Wilmington in January 2011. During the robbery, he shot a barber in the chest, and the barber was paralyzed.

Less than a week after the Runnway robbery, Harris violently robbed the Legends Barbershop in Wilmington by shutting the blinds, locking the shop’s door and ordering the barbers and patrons in the shop to get on the ground. He also ordered his victims to take off their shoes and empty their pockets and threatened to kill them if they talked to police. After Harris left the barbershop, he was chased by one of the barbers (who was still barefoot), and was apprehended after barber alerted a Wilmington Police Department patrol car.

Deputy Attorneys General Mark Denney and Caterina Gatto prosecuted this case for the Delaware Department of Justice.

“This is an outstanding result from two dedicated prosecutors who work hard every day to advance the cause of justice in Delaware,” Biden said.

A booking Image of  Rashie T. Harris is below

-Listing of plantation events through August 2014 also included-

During the month of April 2014, the John Dickinson Plantation, located at 340 Kitts Hummock Rd. in Dover, Del., will present four special programs that explore different aspects of everyday life as it would have been lived during the 18th century when John Dickinson was in residence at the property. The site will also be open for visitation and tours between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Admission is free. For additional information, call 302-739-3277.

On Saturday, April 5, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., the plantation will present “An 18th Century Sweet Tooth,” a hands-on workshop in which visitors will learn how to create 18th-century sweets and goodies; while on Saturday, April 19, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., visitors can explore the natural beauty at the home of the “Penman of the Revolution” and enjoy tours of the colonial-revival garden and the kitchen herb-and-vegetable garden during a special Earth Day program. Finally, on Saturday, April 26, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the plantation will present Colonial Games Day in which visitors will have an opportunity to experience the fun and exercise of 18th- and 19th-century games including rolling hoops, ring toss and game of graces.

The John Dickinson Plantation was the boyhood home and country estate of John Dickinson, one of the founding fathers of the United States, signer of the U.S. Constitution and “Penman of the Revolution.” The plantation features Dickinson’s original 1740 brick home, reconstructed farm buildings and a log’d dwelling, surrounded by rich agricultural lands stretching down to the banks of the St. Jones River.

Following is a schedule of plantation events through August 2014. All programs take place at the John Dickinson Plantation, 340 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, Del. The property is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Times for special programs are indicated. Admission is free for all events listed. For additional information, call 302-739-3277.

Ongoing
“Simple Machines.” Exhibit demonstrating the six “simple machines”—incline ramp, screw, wedge, pulley, lever and wheel —that constitute the elementary building blocks of which all complicated machines are composed.

Saturday, April 5, 2014
“An 18th Century Sweet Tooth.” Hands-on workshop in which visitors will learn how to create 18th-century sweets and goodies. 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Saturdays, April 12, May 10, June 14, July 12 and Aug. 9, 2014
Demonstrations by the Thistledown Fiber Arts Guild. Program explores spinning, weaving, knitting and other fabric arts. 1–3 p.m.

Saturday, April 19, 2014
Earth Day at the John Dickinson Plantation. Explore the natural beauty at the home of the “Penman of the Revolution” and enjoy tours of the colonial-revival garden and the kitchen herb-and-vegetable garden. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 26, 2014
Colonial Games Day at the John Dickinson Plantation. Experience the fun and exercise of 18th and 19th century games. Enjoy rolling hoops, ring toss and game of graces. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 3, 2014
Dover Days at the John Dickinson Plantation. Activities include tours, colonial games and hearth cooking utilizing 18th-century recipes. 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 17, 2014
Herb Day at the John Dickinson Plantation. Visitors will learn about 18th century uses for herbs and create a sachet to take home. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 24, 2014
Battledore and Shuttlecock Day at the John Dickinson Plantation. Experience the fun, exercise and competition of battledore and shuttlecock, an early game similar to that of modern badminton. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Thursdays, June 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2014
“Thirsty on Thursdays.” Learn how to make cool 18th-century drinks including switchels, lemonade and tea. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 21, 2014
“Shall Faithfully Serve!” Program explores indentured servitude and tradesmen associated with the home of the “Penman of the Revolution.” 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Note: Program cancelled.

Wednesdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2014
Hands On History. Visitors will experience 18th-century history by participating in a different demonstration each week. Hands-on demonstrations will include sachet making, paper marbling, paper quilling, plantation journal-making and plaster casting. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Wednesdays, Aug. 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2014
“Weaving Wednesdays.” Indoor, staff-led program in which visitors will learn how to weave a blanket or rag rug. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014
“Raiding the Mansion—Plundering the House of all its Provisions.” Learn about the Tory raid on the plantation’s mansion house through a special tour, and through examination of letters and primary documents. 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Contact:
Jim Yurasek
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Phone:  302-736-7413
E-mail:  Jim.Yurasek@delaware.gov
Web:   http://history.delaware.gov