Walmart announced Tuesday that the company has agreed to a $3.1 billion settlement to resolve a nationwide lawsuit brought by states, tribes and municipalities over its role in the opioid crisis. Delaware stands to receive up to $11.8 million under the terms of the settlement framework. The lawsuit alleged that Walmart exacerbated the opioid addiction crisis by failing to appropriately …
Google to pay Delaware $4.3M in location tracking settlement
Google agreed to a $391.5 million settlement with 40 states Monday over charges that the company tracked users’ location data even when asked not to. Delaware will receive more than $4.3 million from the settlement. The money will go toward the Delaware Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Fund, allowing it to do future work without drawing on taxpayer dollars. Attorney …
No jail time for ‘deeply remorseful’ McGuiness
Delaware state Auditor Kathy McGuiness will not see the inside of a jail cell after being sentenced on two misdemeanor public corruption charges Wednesday. Prosecutors asked the judge to impose a 30-day prison sentence. Instead, she’ll face one year of probation, a $10,000 fine, and 500 hours of community service. McGuiness plans to appeal her convictions to the Delaware Supreme …
Kent County couple indicted for serial child abuse, torture
A Kent County couple has been indicted on 646 charges, including more than 80 felonies, for allegedly abusing their two children. The Department of Justice announced the charges Wednesday afternoon. 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 …
Delaware joins nationwide task force to cut down on scam calls
Even in a time of stark political division, there is thing almost everybody can agree on: scam calls suck. In that vein, Delaware has joined a nationwide task force to cut down on illegal robocalls. Comprised of 50 attorneys general from across the United States, the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force will investigate and take legal action against the telecommunications companies …
DOJ: Buffett-owned mortgage firm guilty of redlining in NCCo
A Pennsylvania mortgage company owned by billionaire Warren Buffett will pay $20 million to resolve allegations of discrimination against Black and Latino homebuyers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, the Department of Justice announced this week. Attorneys general in the three states accused Trident Mortgage Company of redlining in the greater Philadelphia region, including New Castle County. Redlining, in the …
Wawa to pay Delaware 450K over 2019 data breach
Delaware will receive $450,000 out of an $8 million multi-state settlement with a Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain after a data breach compromised some 34 million payment cards. Attorney General Kathy Jennings said Wawa Inc. failed to take reasonable security measures to prevent such a data breach and therefore violated state consumer protection and personal information protection laws. Under the settlement, …
McGuiness asks judge to overrule guilty verdict or grant new trial
State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness, who on July 1 was found guilty of three misdemeanor corruption charges, has asked the judge in her trial to overrule the jury’s verdict. Separately, defense attorney Steve Wood asked Superior Court Judge William Carpenter Jr. to grant a new trial on the three counts on which she was found guilty, citing numerous perceived errors made …
McGuiness defense rests, closing arguments Thursday
Testimony concluded Wednesday afternoon in the criminal corruption trial of State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness. Now that both sides have rested, the jury will hear closing statements and the judge’s instructions Thursday, then begin deliberations. McGuiness is charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors alleging conflict of interest, theft, non-compliance with procurement law, official misconduct and witness intimidation. She’s accused of arranging …
Senate sends gun, abortion bills to Carney
Delaware’s Democrat-majority Senate on Tuesday sent several controversial bills to Gov. John Carney for his signature. Most of the topics seemed ripped from headlines. The gun bill would bar anyone under 21 from buying or owning a gun, as well as controlling a firearm or ammunition. The abortion bill will increase the number of health professionals who can perform an …