Delaware Governor Candidate Under Scrutiny for Campaign Fund Misuse

Bethany Hall-Long, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor of Delaware, is facing scrutiny over her campaign's financial practices. Emails obtained by The Associated Press reveal that her office staff communicated regularly with her husband, Dana Long, and campaign associates during office hours to facilitate the use of campaign funds. These communications included renewing memberships in women’s groups and making donations to community organizations, with some expenses charged to her campaign account. One notable instance involved a $300 check requested by Hall-Long’s campaign manager, Dougherty, for a "Community Unity Family Day." This transaction was confirmed through a campaign finance report, which shows the payment made from Hall-Long’s campaign funds. Additionally, Hall-Long participated in a parade event without any indication of her official capacity as lieutenant governor, raising further questions about the appropriateness of her campaign activities. The scrutiny intensified after Hall-Long postponed a campaign event with the sitting Democratic governor last September, leading to the resignations of key campaign staff, including her campaign manager and treasurer. A forensic review by the Department of Elections revealed that Dana Long had written 112 checks from his wife’s campaign account to himself or for cash, raising concerns about potential misuse of campaign funds. Despite the allegations, Hall-Long has characterized the financial irregularities as mere "bookkeeping errors," asserting that they stemmed from unreported loans made to her campaign. As the election approaches, the implications of these findings could significantly impact her candidacy.