The Delaware Attorney General’s Office is warning consumers to be aware of
home improvement fraud and announced criminal sentencings in two construction fraud cases:
From June to August 2007, Wilbert C. Saunders, age 53 of Newark, received over $11,000 in
payments for home renovations which were never completed. Saunders pled guilty on February
18, 2009 in New Castle County Superior Court to Home Improvement Fraud by False Pretense
and Theft by False Promise over $1,000. He was sentenced on April 24, 2009 to 3 years and 6
months in prison, followed by 18 months probation, and was ordered to pay $11,169 restitution
to his victims.

During July and August 2007, Keith Tracey, age 41 of Wyoming, and Deana Irwin, age 43 of
Camden, collected $8,316 as a down payment for deck construction and never completed the
work. Tracey pled guilty on April 28, 2009 in Kent County Superior Court to Felony Home
Improvement Fraud and was sentenced to 6 months in prison, followed by 18 months of
probation, in addition to paying restitution to the victims. Irwin pled guilty on April 30, 2009
in Kent County Superior Court to Misdemeanor Home Improvement Fraud and was sentenced
to 12 months of probation in addition to paying restitution to the victims.

“Protect yourself against contractor fraud by being an informed consumer,” stated Timothy
Mullaney, Director of the Attorney General’s Fraud and Consumer Protection Division. “Shop around,
check references, and never pay the full price in advance. By following these basic rules you’ll go a
long way to avoiding many common home construction scams. And if you or a loved one has become
a victim, contact the Attorney General’s office for help.”

The Attorney General’s Office recommends using the following checklist to help protect
yourself against home improvement fraud:
Home Improvement Checklist – What to do before you hire a contractor
1. Know what work you want to have completed. Make a specific list. This will allow you to
easily negotiate with contractors
2. Know what permits are needed. Even though a qualified contractor should be aware of necessary permits and inspections, you should know them too. Check with your local building and codes office before beginning a project.
3. Shop around. Meet with multiple contractors, obtain written quotes for the work you want done, and compare. Think carefully before making a decision.
4. Get references and check them. Ask friends and neighbors which contractors they used for home improvement projects and whether or not they were satisfied with the results. Ask contractors for references and speak to former customers.
5. Get a Timeline. Find out the proposed timeline for when a contractor will start and complete the project.
6. Never pay the full price in advance. Establish a payment schedule and stick to it. This may include an initial down payment, followed by additional incremental payments until the work is completed.
7. Put it in writing. The contractor should provide a written contract which includes a timeline for work to be completed, a payment schedule and as many specifics as possible about the project, such as types or brands of materials. Do not be induced into signing a contract by high-pressure sales tactics.
Consumers who are aware of home improvement fraud and/or who have questions are encouraged to call the Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline at 1-800-220-5424.
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CONTACT:
U. S. Marshal David W. Thomas
District of Delaware
(302) 573-6176
(302) 363-085- Cell
May 5, 2009 District of Delaware
Fugitive Safe Surrender-Delaware is Huge Success
More Than 1,000 Fugitives Surrender
WILMINGTON, Del. – The highly successful Fugitive Safe Surrender program was in Wilmington
Wednesday to Saturday. This program, led by the U.S. Marshals Service, worked with numerous
government agencies, faith-based and non-profit communities to encourage people with outstanding
warrants to surrender at a faith-base setting.
As a result of this operation, 1,073 people surrendered at New Destiny Fellowship located at 906
E. 16th Street in Wilmington. Of the 1,073 people, 101 felons surrendered during this program. A total of
4,131 warrants were cleared. Only six fugitives who surrendered were incarcerated – equivalent to just
0.5 percent of those who surrendered. Fugitive Safe Surrender is not an amnesty program, but it offers
favorable consideration.
Some of the people who turned themselves in to authorities had serious charges lodged against
them. One person was wanted for escape from the police and weapons charges. Another individual was
wanted for failing to register as a sex offender. Several people were wanted on robbery charges, weapon
charges, drug charges, felony assaults and numerous theft charges. There were also two subjects who
were on the Division of Child Support’s Most Wanted list. A total of eight people were wanted by other
states on serious warrants.
Fugitives from across the country came to New Destiny Fellowship to take responsibility for
their outstanding warrants. People from San Francisco, Houston and Alabama flew in to take an
opportunity of favorable consideration. Some fugitives drove long distances to adjudicate their cases.
One person drove 10 hours from West Virginia, while another person came back from Pittsburgh.
Numbers of people came from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia to
take advantage of Fugitive Safe Surrender.
Bishop Thomas Wesley Weeks, Sr., pastor of New Destiny Fellowship Church, was the host of
Fugitive Safe Surrender-Delaware. The Elder Ty Johnson with Churches Take A Corner (CTAC) was
the faith-based leader. Rev. Johnson was able to assemble about 100 clergy from around the state of
Delaware to participate in the program.
This program was funded through the Delaware Criminal Justice Council by the U. S.
Department of Justice, Community Capacity Development Office.
A number of government agencies were involved to make this program happen.
United States Marshals United States Attorneys
US Department. Of State
Diplomatic Security Service
Wilmington Police New Castle County Police
Delaware State Police Delaware Capitol Police
Delaware State Probation & Parole Newark Police
University of Delaware Police Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement
State Fire Marshals Office Delaware Department of Corrections
Salem County Sheriffs Office
Superior Court State of Delaware Family Court State of Delaware
Court of Common Pleas State of Delaware Justice of the Peace Court of Delaware
Administrative Office of the Courts Office of State Court Collections Enforcement
Delaware Department of Justice Office of the Public Defenders
Delaware Division of Child Support
Enforcement’s
Delaware Division of Motor Vehicle
Delaware Criminal Justice Council DELJIS (Delaware Criminal Justice System)
Delaware Department of Transportation
–end

Today, the Delaware Department of Justice announced that Delaware has received
its annual payment from the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) between the states and the tobacco
industry. Payments totaling $31,027,740 were received on April 15 and April 17 and have been
deposited into the Delaware Health Fund.

“I am pleased that Delaware continues to receive significant payments from the Master
Settlement Agreement,” stated Chief Deputy Attorney General Richard Gebelein. “Now more than
ever these funds support critical public health programs across our state. We’ll continue to enforce all
provisions of the Agreement to reduce tobacco use, particularly among children.”

Under the MSA, participating tobacco manufacturers make substantial payments to states that
have reached settlements with the industry. The MSA created new restrictions on the advertising,
promotion and marketing of cigarettes, including outright bans on targeting youth and distribution of
merchandise advertising a cigarette brand. It also funds anti-tobacco education. Studies show that the
vast majority of current adult smokers began smoking before the age of 18, and since the MSA took
effect, youth smoking rates have dropped nationwide.

The Delaware Department of Justice administers the state’s participation in the MSA.
The 1999 Delaware Health Act established the Delaware Health Fund, which receives
payments received by the state under the MSA, created the Delaware Health Fund Advisory
Committee to make recommendations for appropriating monies received by the Delaware Health Fund,
and directed how money paid into the fund should be spent. Learn more about how Delaware
appropriates its MSA payments by visiting http://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/healthfund/about.html.
# # #

Members of the public asked to provide information to investigators

On Wednesday, April 15, the Office of the Attorney General, with assistance from
University of Delaware Police, New Castle County Police, and Wilmington Police, arrested a 42 yearold
Bear man for stalking women using the web. The investigation revealed that, over the past two
years, Richard McCullough has used the internet to stalk women in Delaware. McCullough made
contact with his victims using the fictitious names of JToms, Kevin, and John.
McCullough was arraigned and committed to Howard Young Correctional Institution for failure to
post $50,000 cash bail.

The investigation continues. Members of the public with information about this case are urged to
contact Investigator Brian Daly at the Attorney General’s Office at 577-8500.
# # #

Community News
April 10, 2009
Wachovia and Citigroup will each pay a $309,000 fine to the State of Delaware for misleading investors about the safety of the auction rate securities market, the Delaware Department of Justice announced on April 9.

The fines will be paid into the Delaware Investor Protection Fund, used by the Department of Justice to enforce investment laws.

Eleven firms were ordered to pay fines in November following a multi-state investigation into the auction rate securities market.

The firms agreed to repurchase more than $60 billion of auction rate securities and were required to notify investors of the repurchase offer. In Delaware, Wachovia sold more than $60 million in auction rate securities and Citigroup sold more than $92 million.

Auction rate securities are long-term financial instruments with interest rates that are reset through weekly or monthly auctions.

When auctions run properly, investors who hold auction rate securities can buy or sell them on a regular basis, but when there are not enough buyers for every security being offered for sale, investors are forced to hold their securities until the next auction.

Since early 2008, many investors have been unable to sell their frozen auction rate securities.

“These agreements send a clear message to investment firms that we will hold them accountable for misleading investors about the sale of these supposedly safe and liquid investment products,” said James Ropp, Delaware Securities Commissioner.

Delaware investors can call (302) 577-8424 for information about the repurchase of Auction Rate Securities.

Story posted online at: http://www.communitypub.com/business/x1098996441/Wachovia-and-Citigroup-to-pay-618-000-for-misleading-investors