(Photo: MGN)DOVER, Del. (AP/WBOC)- Delaware officials have responded to recent cases of embezzlement involving local governments and small businesses with tougher penalties for such crimes.
Gov. Jack Markell signed a bill last week regarding property crimes including theft, health care fraud, and new home construction fraud that carry enhanced penalties when losses exceed a certain amount.
Under the new law, such crimes involving losses exceeding $50,000 will be punishable by up to eight years in prison. Currently, the maximum sentence is three or five years.
Losses exceeding $100,000 would result in a minimum 2-year sentence and a maximum of 25. The current penalty does not include a minimum sentence and carries a 15-year maximum.
"Small town governments, charities, and other organizations can take years to recover from the damage caused by an embezzler," said Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden in a statement. "As a result of this new law, those who steal for personal profit face tougher punishments that better fits their crimes."
Last year, former Kenton town treasurer Stephanie Mickle was sentenced to eight years in prison for embezzling nearly $200,000.
