WILMINGTON, DE – Former state Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Richard Callery has agreed to accept responsibility and has entered a plea of nolo contendere, or no contest, to two counts of official misconduct for misuse of state resources while running a private business using state personnel and resources while also serving in his official capacity. He appeared in New Castle County Superior Court Thursday afternoon to enter the plea and will be sentenced on September 11, 2015. These charges carry a potential penalty of up to 1 year in prison for each count, for possible total of two years. The plea requires that Callery repay the state $100,000 in restitution and surrender his medical license for any period while he is under court supervision. The plea concludes a joint investigation by the Delaware State Police and by Department of Justice prosecutors led by New Castle County Chief Prosecutor Joe Grubb and Deputy Attorney General Sean Lugg. The Department of Justice set out the facts of the case and reasoning for the resolution in a letter to Judge Silverman, which can be found below.

Letter to Judge Silverman

Dover, DE – Governor Markell today announced he has nominated Felice Glennon Kerr to serve on the Family Court of the State of Delaware. If confirmed by the Delaware Senate, Kerr will fill the vacancy left by Judge Michael Newell, who was confirmed and sworn in yesterday as Chief Judge of the Family Court.

“Felice Kerr is an accomplished and well-respected family law attorney who has more than 2 decades of experience practicing family law,” said Governor Markell. “If she is confirmed by the Senate, I believe she will serve our state well as a Family Court judge.”

Mrs. Kerr currently serves as the managing partner of the Delaware office of MacElree Harvey. In that capacity, Mrs. Kerr maintains an active family law practice, handling cases on numerous issues including divorce, property division, alimony, custody, visitation, child support, and domestic violence. She also maintains an active alternative dispute resolution practice. Previously, Ms. Kerr served as an associate attorney for Bayard, P.A. (2000 – 2007) and a partner at Laffey & Kerr (1994 – 2000).

In addition to her courtroom experience, Mrs. Kerr is involved in numerous volunteer activities and professional associations. She serves as a volunteer attorney for the Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, the Domestic Violence Advocacy Program, and Office of the Child Advocate. In addition, she volunteers at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, and serves as a mock trial coach at The Tatnall School, among other volunteer efforts. She is also a founding member of the Parenting Coordination Council of Delaware, and a member and past chair of the Family Law Section of the Delaware State Bar Association.

“It is an honor and privilege to be nominated by Governor Markell to the position of Associate Judge of the Family Court of Delaware,” said Kerr. “I have tremendous respect for the judges, commissioners and staff of the Family Court and if confirmed by the Senate would be proud to serve alongside them.”

Mrs. Kerr, 50, received a Bachelor of Arts from Villanova University in 1986. She earned her law degree at Suffolk University Law School in 1989 and was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1990. She resides with her family in Wilmington.

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Dover, DE – The Delaware Senate today unanimously confirmed the nomination of Judge Michael Newell to serve as Chief Judge of the Delaware Family Court, replacing Chief Judge Chandlee J. Kuhn, whose term expired on June 4^th. The Governor issued this statement following the confirmation:

“Judge Newell’s experience on the bench and within Family Court, along with his commitment to justice and strong moral character, make him well-positioned to take on the role of Chief Judge of the Family Court. I thank the members of the Senate for confirming him, and I have every expectation that Judge Newell will continue to serve Delaware well in his new role.”

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DELAWARE CELEBRATES HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH

June 10, 2015 (DOVER, DE) – Governor Jack Markell today joined Delaware State Housing Authority, Habitat for Humanity, Delaware Americorps, Delaware Association of Realtors, Home Builders Association of Delaware, and Delaware Health and Social Services to proclaim June as Homeownership Month.

“Delaware’s commitment to housing is evidenced by our homeownership rate, which is second highest in the nation at 74.3 percent,” said Governor Markell. “That is only possible when public/private partnerships work together to provide the opportunity, outreach, education, and affordable mortgage financing needed to help Delawareans achieve the American Dream of homeownership.”

Governor Jack Markell

Earlier in the day, volunteers participated in a Framing Frenzy on Legislative Mall building the frame of the house that will be moved to South Kirkwood Street and become the Woodton family’s home.

Volunteers at Framing Frenzy

For more information on affordable housing programs, please visit our website at www.destatehousing.com or call (888) 363- 8808. To view more photos, please click here,   https://www.flickr.com/photos/destatehousing/sets/72157653952686690.

About the Delaware State Housing Authority

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), formed in 1968, is dedicated to providing quality, affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to low- and moderate-income Delawareans. In addition to its role as the State’s Housing Finance Agency, DSHA is unique in that it also serves as a Public Housing Authority and acts as a Community Development and Planning Agency. As a Public Housing Authority, DSHA receives funding from HUD to build, own, and operate public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, two of Delaware’s three counties. For more information about the Delaware State Housing Authority, please call (888) 363-8808 or visit our website at www.destatehousing.com.

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Wilmington DE – The Department of Elections for New Castle County completed the review of the Christina School District Referendum. The review included creating of a list of everyone who voted and then analyzing the data. The list of persons who voted in the referendum is available as an EXCEL file.

The review found that no one voted twice and 6 people who did not live in the School District voted in the referendum as compared to 30 who had voted in the February 24th referendum. Election Officers, however, prevented 43 people who did not live in the Christina School District from voting, 28 people who were not U.S. citizens were not permitted to vote, and 15 people who did not provide required ID were also prevented from voting.  One person who should have been permitted to vote was turned away.

Department of Elections for New Castle County | (302) 577-3464