DOJ probes possible illegal activity at CAMP Rehoboth

An independent audit of CAMP Rehoboth’s 2020 financials has revealed there’s an active investigation into possible counterfeit reimbursements to an employee that could go back several years. According to the audit, payments to an unnamed employee totaled about $77,000 for the year ending Dec. 31, 2020.

Leslie Ledogar, CAMP Rehoboth Board of Directors vice president, said she was limited in what she could talk about because of the ongoing investigation. When the issue was first discovered, CAMP reported it to all the necessary officials and has cooperated with the investigation since then, she said.

CAMP Rehoboth continues to operate on a strong financial footing while offering its much-needed services, said Ledogar. Pointing to the years of financial audits available on its website, she said CAMP officials are being as open and transparent as possible.

CAMP has audit reports on its website dating back to 2017. In the audit of CAMP’s 2019 financials, there’s a note on the last page saying the organization was granted a $77,486 loan in May 2020 from the Paycheck Protection Program, established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

Ledogar said she wasn’t aware of the fiscal note in the 2019 audit.

“It’s the first time I’ve heard that, and I don’t know if there’s any connection,” she said.

The 2020 audit also has a note saying CAMP received a second PPP loan in February 2021 in the amount of $73,548.

Sussex Pride Executive Director David Mariner was the CAMP Rehoboth executive director when the audit company issued its report. He was hired in August 2019 and stepped down in May. 

“During my time at CAMP Rehoboth, I became aware of criminal activity that had been going on for many years in the organization. I reported this to the state Department of Justice and continue to cooperate fully with the Delaware DOJ,” said Mariner in an email July 26.

Mat Marshall, Delaware Department of Justice spokesperson, confirmed the DOJ is aware of the report, but in an email July 28, he said he could not comment on an active investigation.

Ledogar said she’s as anxious as anyone to get the investigation over with and for there to be a resolution to the issue. It’s in the hands of the professionals and it’s unknown how long that will take, she said.

To view CAMP Rehoboth's audits dating back to 2017, go to tinyurl.com/2p8fcdcx.