Alleged and Not Fact. In Fact, Denial.
Almost two months ago, I wrote and published a post titled “The Alleged Contents of a Letter.” The post involved rumors surrounding a mysterious letter sent to every single member of the General Assembly containing criminal accusations against a certain elected Sussex County official. I received a tip from a source that is known to me that alluded to the contents of the letter and who was behind it. I decided to go ahead and publish the tip as a rumor, and I went out of my way to specifically state, repeatedly, that I had no idea whether any of the story is true, to wit:
1. Is any of it true?
The simple answer is I have no idea. I consider this all salicious rumor until we know otherwise. I am told that allies and/or supporters of Sheriff Christopher, Eric Bodenweiser, Don Ayotte and Doug Beatty, if not the men themselves, are behind the letter. Whether or not either of them actually wrote and sent the letter is unknown, and a matter of investigation now by the Delaware State Police. Given the cast of characters aforementioned, it is quite possible that none of this is true and that they are just trying to end the career of an opponent of Christopher’s power grab.
Most of the tip from the source was confirmed in later news stories from WGMD, WDEL and the News Journal, specifically about what the allegations were and who the elected official was. What was not confirmed, and what remains unknown to us, is who was behind the letter.
This brings me to Mr. Doug Beatty, who this year arrived on the scene that is Sussex County politics. He contemplated races against the Governor and then for the General Assembly before demurring. He contacted me yesterday issuing a strong denial, saying that he was not involved in any way in writing or sending the letter. It is only fair and responsible that I report that. Mr. Beatty felt that I had irresponsibly and unethically reported as true fact that he was indeed behind the infamous letter. I disagreed, saying I thought I had been very careful in the post to repeatedly state that I did not know for a fact whether any of the allegations were true, as you can see above. Alas, since Mr. Beatty was left with that impression, I apologize to him.
But I also want to thank Mr. Beatty for reminding me of this who sordid alleged affair. This story has dropped off the face of the earth. Has anything come of the Delaware State Police’s investigation? I recall Vance Phillips lawyering up significantly, but there has been nothing from him for a while either.
For us this is tremendously salacious and politically interesting, but I suppose from a police and prosecutors’ point of view, not worth pursuing. Apparently nobody has the stomach go go around asking people if they saw whats-his-name doing the nasty with whats-her-name.
For those whose interest in the case was purely political, I think all the damage you could have hoped for has already been done.
So until a blue dress turns up, or a payoff, I’m okay with letting it go in the interests of justice.
Typically, the police don’t publicly report that charges are *not* being filed. They only announce when someone is charged. So if Vance is cleared, we may not know unless his attorney chooses to declare that fact or if the media inquires. And I don’t recall the News Journal ever running a story about this.
Correction, DelDem: Beatty *is* running for the GA, as an Independent Party of Delaware candidate for the 34th House District seat. Others in the race are Rep. Donald A. Blakey (R) and Theodore M. Yacucci Sr. (D).
Ah, I missed that announcement. Thanks Sussex Watcher.
“For us this is tremendously salacious and politically interesting, but I suppose from a police and prosecutors’ point of view, not worth pursuing.”
Except that in Delaware, sex between a man over the age of 30 and a girl under 18 is statutory rape whether or not there is consent except if the couple is married.
delcode.delaware.gov/title11/c005/sc02/index.shtml
Not except – despite. There’s no evidence and apparently the victim isn’t talking. So police and prosecutors have better things to do. At least I hope they do.
And the likely suspects who sent the letter have gone to ground with nary a peep.
At least we learned that Vance Phillips, Mr. Family Values, is no longer living with his family.
Ahhhh – but mr beattylike others of his ilk continue to stalk and harrass others
The man is a nut job – pure and simple
And has continually supported the sussex sheriff against all comers and started his own blog about how everyone BUT THE sheriff is crazy – oh and he says he isnt crazy either
I will NOT link to his blog – its simply not worth it BUT- he also has not written on in in a few weeks
Be very careful here Deldem his actions have shown him to be a least a brick or two shy of a full load…… And if u want the smoking gun- email me- the dude is clearly unbalanced
The originators of this letter may never be known and the DSP seems to be allowing this issue to die a slow death.
Although the letter writer is beneath contempt, the culprit may not have committed a crime but still be financially liable if the injured parties choose to sue.
I have a gut feeling that Mr Phillips’ alleged relationship with the girl was a flight of fancy to begin with , but then turned into an obsession and amorous pursuit. That same gut feeling leads me to believe that flying around in a motorized kite may have been some desperate attempt at showing the girl that he still had youthful exuberance and bravado. Crashing it into the ground may or may not have been part of the plan.
“The culprit may not have committed a crime but still be financially liable if the injured parties choose to sue.”
Ah, conservatives. When a suit is filed because someone was injured or killed by medical malpractice, it’s a frivolous lawsuit. This, though, deserves court time. You can’t parody these people.
Since Traveler is the name of a horse, I should point out for this neigh-sayer (sorry) that if the “injured parties” sued, they would have to make sworn statements detailing the exact nature of their relationship. Given that Mr. Phillips seems determined to deny his marital troubles and this ugly incident, I feel safe in saying that ain’t gonna happen.