Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long and her husband Dan were found to have received payments totaling $33,000 more than what she loaned her campaign, according to a forensic review commissioned by the Delaware Department of Elections. The review revealed irregularities in financial reporting and expenditures. Dana Long, Hall-Long’s husband, wrote checks to himself but reported them as payments to others, prompting questions about the campaign’s financial management.
In response, Hall-Long stated that her family has loaned the campaign more money than has been reimbursed and has forgiven the remaining loan balance. New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, a rival in the Democratic primary, has criticized Hall-Long’s handling of campaign finances and called for the Delaware Democratic Party to rescind its endorsement of her.
The findings come amid ongoing tensions and controversies in Delaware’s gubernatorial race. Hall-Long leads the Democratic primary polls, followed by Meyer and former State Environmental Secretary Collin O’Mara. The audit report has become a focal point in the campaign, with calls for campaign finance reform by the Attorney General’s office.
Hall-Long’s campaign has denied any personal benefit from the campaign’s financial discrepancies. Concerns have also been raised about the influence of businessman Philip Shawe on Meyer’s campaign. The latest developments in Delaware’s gubernatorial election leading up to the Sept. 10 primaries can be found on CoastTV.com/Decision2024.
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