Guess Which Delaware Legislator Just Cashed In
Need a hint? Take a look at what passes for the ‘leadership’ of the Delaware Police Athletic League:
https://palde.org/board-of-directors/
Yup. The amoral and ethically-bankrupt Valerie Longhurst who, in her spare time, doubles as the Majority Leader for the Delaware House of Representatives, has finally landed in a cushy do-nothing job. It took her longer than most, presumably because volunteering at the Babe Ruth canteen doesn’t prepare you for, well, anything. As we know, that’s hardly an impediment if you hold elective office. Speaking of which, check out that rogues’ gallery of a Board of Directors. Former Speaker Terry Spence? Check. Current legislator and former cop Larry Mitchell? Check. Former legislator and uber-lobbyist Roger Roy? Check. Former legislator and lobbyist for the FOP Bill Oberle? Check. IC Trinidad Navarro? Check. Current legislator and notorious double-dipper Nicole Poore? Check.
With that group on the Board, there is literally (not figuratively) no way that the dealings of this organization are above board. The hiring of Longhurst to head this group merely proves it. With no credentials whatsoever, Longhurst reportedly got the job over two former cops. Another former cop and would be king-maker, Pistol Pete Schwartzkopf, reportedly pushed for his Number Two.
What a group of self-serving legislators we have. Their principal focus isn’t to serve the public, it’s to use their public positions to help themselves to funds that they otherwise would never even sniff. Who knows? In Longhurst’s case, maybe her entire salary will be paid for through civil forfeitures. Which is perfect for her–steal from the indigent to pay for a job she doesn’t deserve. Oh, and none of that pesky FOIA to make public the source of her salary.
There has to be someone other than James Burton willing to primary this ethical pox on the Body Politic. Hey, all I can do is lay this stuff out there. After that, it’s up to you.
This is why the Delaware Democratic Party doesn’t deserve the votes even of people who are disgusted with Republicans.
Republicans steal big, Democrats steal small.
Delaware’s political class remains corrupt but by some miracle still within the law, indeed they’ve made an art form out of it. Noticed the name of the pernicious Roger Roy, yet another weasel that the state seems unable to be rid of. Hate to say it but Delaware would do well to emulate New Jersey (yes, I’m gagging as I write this) and start jailing corrupt politicians instead of reelecting them.
That board is like Delaware’s attic, filled with stuff we thought we forgot about.
…and also musty and dim.
This is exactly why we need to elect more progressive candidates. Over time Pete and Val won’t have the votes to stay in power.
@TD: “over time” is the problem. “Over time” perceived progressives like Townsend become mushy moderates, and mushy moderates become DINOs.
Frustrating, but I doubt that we can get enough of the oldies-not-goodies out fast enough to make a difference.
The Delaware State News picks up the story:
https://delawarestatenews.net/government/house-majority-leader-running-state-funded-nonprofit/
Longhurst’s lack of ethics are palpable in every non-answer.
Elected Delaware Dems are in majority center right. Progressives have a lot of work to do in this state.
“Nobody handed me this job,” she (Longhurst) said.
And this…
“I don’t know if it’s a conflict of interest compared to anybody else that gets money through grant-in-aid and votes on bills,” she said.
OMG.
“Nobody handed me this job,”
Meaning what, that she had to fill out an application and give them a resume?
This is enough to make me wish Bruce Reynolds hadn’t moved to Florida.
Years ago, when I had a government job, we were under orders to “avoid even the appearance of a possible conflict of interest.”
Time change. Longhurst simply doesn’t give fuck about any of that old time-y crap.
when you have a government job they can fire you for a conflict of interest. when youre an elected official. hahahahahahahahahahahaha