Commission: Secretary of Agriculture illegally issued more than $100,000 in state contracts

A Public Integrity Commission report has found that Delaware Department of Agriculture Secretary Michael Scuse funneled more than $100,000 to department employees to house seized animals.

In its report issued Nov. 6, PIC unanimously found that Scuse violated state law and created an appearance of impropriety when the department contracted with two employees, paying them more than $100,000 to care for livestock that had been seized. In one case, records state over $100,000 was paid to care for chickens for 30 days.

In May, PIC received an anonymous phone call alleging that two DDA employees were receiving $100,000 and $30,000 for boarding fees, prompting the PIC investigation. 

A deputy attorney general who advises the agriculture department eventually told Scuse that he should not pay his employees for contractual work in order to avoid issues with PIC, records state; however, Scuse claimed as secretary he has emergency powers given to him through state law that allow him to award contracts to department employees. 

He told PIC that “every time there is a seizure we have an issue with the lack of facilities,” records state, and said  most active farms in Delaware are not interested in housing seized animals because some animals must be quarantined.

Testifying in front of PIC on Oct. 11, Scuse told the commission he “acted in the best interest of DDA,” records state.

The commission said Scuse’s comments regarding the department's efforts to locate livestock facilities were unconvincing.

Records show that Scuse justified a May contract by stating that a February seizure was the first one of its kind in roughly 12 years, so it created an unexpected need for livestock care.

The commission wrote that Scuse repeatedly emphasized the fact that he found it difficult to locate people willing to care for diseased animals. “And, yet, when the need arose on two separate occasions, the DDA had not one, not two, but three employees who would be willing to do so,” records state.

Contracting with Department of Agriculture employees for services sets a bad precedent, the commission wrote, and as secretary it’s his responsibility to find suitable locations for seized animals – something neither he nor his staff did, records state.

Senate Republicans are calling on Gov. John Carney to remove Scuse from his position. Carney’s office said they have no comment on the PIC decision.

“This behavior and apparent nepotism are unacceptable, and further sows the seeds of public mistrust of its government. Agriculture is Delaware’s number one economic industry, and it is vital that the department overseeing it has the trust of those within the industry. Quotes in media reports from those interviewed and personal conversations we have had with farmers display a great level of concern with the DDA and its current leadership,” wrote Republican state senators in a statement signed by Senate Minority Leader Sen. Gerald Hocker, Ocean View; Senate Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn, Georgetown; Sen. Dave Lawson, Marydel; Sen. Bryant Richardson, Seaford; Sen. Dave Wilson, Lincoln; and Sen. Eric Buckson, Magnolia.  

“We urge you to take immediate action and remove Secretary Scuse from his position. Only then will trust in the DDA and the Delaware government begin to be restored.”