Kenton, Delaware treasurer arrested

    Former town treasurer and wife of the former mayor charged in elaborate scheme

    The former treasurer of Kenton in Kent County is under arrest, charged with 3 counts of theft and 2 counts of forgery.

    Delaware State Attorney-General Beau Biden’s office announced the arrest of Stephanie Mickle.  The charges site over $50,000 as a part of the theft arrest.

    The investigation began with Auditor Tom Wagner’s office.  The Delaware State News first reported there were suspicions of personal purchases by Mikel that was an exact amount of the money missing from the town.

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    In the arrest announcement Biden said Mickle forged documents that said she was the town manager of Kenton.  In June she used the forged title to authorize the sale of land that would used for easements to build cell phone towers.  She pocketed the money from the sale.  Further investigation showed 900 other money transactions.  As treasurer Kenton had access to town bank account, debit and credit cards.

    Mickle had been town treasurer until April.  Her husband Richard was the town mayor until last month when he resigned.  Today’s announcement of Stephanie Mickle’s arrest does not mention her husband.

    Mickle was arraigned and taken to the Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in New Castle.  She is being held on $63,000 bond.

    In a statement the Attorney-General said his office would continue to monitor Kenton’s funds in order to restore integrity in the town.

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