
DOVER, Del. (AP) - 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 two-year sentence and a maximum of 25. The current penalty does not include a minimum sentence and carries a 15-year maximum. Last year, former Kenton town treasurer Stephanie Mickle was sentenced to eight years in prison for embezzling nearly $200,000.
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