According to the police report (I’m not linking in order to keep the victim’s name confidential), the incident took place on May 21 of this year. The alleged victim was in the driver’s seat, turned her head toward Josue Ortega, who then allegedly struck her with his closed fist. The reported incident took place in the Save-A-Lot Parking lot on Maryland Avenue.
Ortega is alleged to have committed ‘Assault Third Degree Intentionally Or Recklessly Causes Physical Injury To Another’.
The victim had reported a prior incident, that having taken place on August 26, 2025.
State Police Troop 6 conducted a Domestic Violence Lethality Screening with the victim. In the screening, the victim answered yes to the following:
Has he/she threatened to kill you or your children?
Does he/she have a gun or can he/she get one easily?
Has he/she ever tried to choke you?
Is he/she violently or constantly jealous or does he/she control most of your daily activities?
Does he/she follow or spy on you or leave threatening messages?
The police evaluation places her in the category of ‘High danger based on score’.
Darius brown 2.0?
I hope the alleged victim has protections in place. There were reports that a child was a witness to the alleged event.
Has he filed for re-election?
Regardless of whether he has, the legislature needs to amend the candidate background check law immediately. By my understanding, the Governor’s appointed Election Commissioner just reviews the checks and themselves determines a candidate’s eligibility. Shouldn’t there be clear boundaries that can’t be deemed acceptable? Would Hensley have passed if he filed? Does the Commissioner have to release the report and reasoning? It’s time our election laws go beyond “better than nothing”
While im not defending Ortega, he at this time has only been accused of a crime. You can’t disqualify people on that. Hensleys had 2 convictions and people didn’t seem to care. In democracy voters should choose not election officials. If you have a shady past, then the voters decide if they want to vote for you.
Are we disqualifying people who got arrested 20 years ago? Of course not. This is democracy. There are Democrats and Republicans in Dover with lots of personal issues in their past.
This is part of my point. Technically, the way the law is written, the Commissioner could choose to disqualify a candidate based on anything on their background check no matter when it was or what it was.
I just saw the first presser release with a paragraph about a letter to the Ethic Commission asking for an investigation. It’s been stripped out. Why?
Because, in light of Rep. Ortega’s statement further down in this thread, perhaps they deemed the original statement to be too harsh.
Keep in mind, the only facts we have are those from the police report. We don’t know how much truth there is in the victim’s witness statement.
Just gotta let it play out.
Wing nuts are saying this incident is a Dem set up of a conservative-minded elected.
The 3RD RD could use an alternative candidate.
I linked to this post from FB “DEMs may need a General Election candidate and possibly a Primary Opponent against the incumbent for RD3 as it looks like Josue Ortega’s apparent recent violent assault of a female will disrupt any 2026 campaign. According to the state website, Ortega hasn’t filed yet for reelection.
https://housedems.delaware.gov/members/house-district-3/
https://elections.delaware.gov/…/genl_fcddt_2026.html”
Thank you for not sharing her name.
For anyone who is reading this and it hits too close to home, there are services out there for you: https://dcadv.org/get-help/local-programs.html,
You deserve to be safe at home
He has been accused–not convicted.
That’s why the story included no editorial comment or innuendo.
Unsubstantiated rumors/allegations will be, and already have been, excised.
The Hall put out two versions of the same statement, one referring to an Ethics Committee and one that did not
I saw the one that did mention the Ethics Committee.
Which one came out first?
That one came out first. Then their postings of the statement on social media changed to refer to a formal letter sent to him and actions available under House rules…
Well, it’s 5:20 and they’ve been out for caucus for quite some time…
Here’s what Torrie Seagraves wrote over at CoastTV:
https://www.coasttv.com/news/delaware-state-rep-josue-ortega-under-investigation-in-alleged-domestic-incident/article_b8a7041d-ffe7-4efa-a4e3-c26a26764208.html
“Leaders of the House Democratic Caucus said an ethics complaint regarding the allegations against Ortega will be filed. That will trigger a “full and thorough review” by the House Ethics Committee.
“As legislators, we owe it to the people we serve to act with integrity and uphold the highest standards and we want to make that point very clear to Rep. Ortega, to our colleagues, and to all Delawareans. Domestic violence, or any form of abuse, has no place in our state and will not be tolerated in the House of Representatives,” said the caucus.
The Committee will be convened in the coming weeks.”
If the Caucus has subsequently withdrawn that statement, that’s a story in and of itself.
Rep. Ortega has released the following statement:
“I am aware of the recent allegations circulating online. In the interest of preserving my reputation and protecting my family, I feel compelled to make a public statement on this matter.
I want to make it clear that these allegations are unequivocally false. Any suggestion that I have ever engaged in any act of domestic violence is patently untrue. Moreover, at no time have I ever been charged by the Delaware State Police or any other law enforcement agency, regarding any domestic incident. A thoughtful and deliberate review of this record will reveal that I was the one who sought, and was rewarded relief, by the Courts, regarding the abuse I have suffered from my accuser.
I maintain my innocence and firmly refute the claims made against me. I look forward to cooperating fully with House leadership regarding their investigation and the opportunity therein to prove the falsity of these allegations.”
Truth is the best libel defense
How about just a question. Does Josue still work for NCCo? If not, when did he stop working for NCCo which was his full time employer when he was elected? This is not a statement of any sort. I’m asking you, as an independent media outlet, to ask him. I’m interested in the answer.
Thanks for volunteering to hold our coat for us. While DL breaks the occasional story, I am under no illusion that we’re a fully-staffed news operation.
Why would it matter if Ortega no longer works for NCC? I know, you’ve inserted innuendo into the mix.
Let’s let this play out. News operations are reporting on this, so the story is not going away. I think we’ll learn more in the coming days.
Well, the police investigation needs to talk to NCC execs for the truth but I have been told that Henry fired Ortega for untoward behaviors at the office after a very disruptive visit from his baby mama and these bad personal ways were known by all through his employment over three executives eras.
This information source is pretty much unimpeachable or I would not be sharing it here.