Past CAMP Rehoboth employee indicted over financial fraud

After a years-long investigation, the Delaware Department of Justice has indicted former CAMP Rehoboth Health and Wellness Director Salvatore Seeley with theft in excess of $50,000. As part of a plea deal, Seeley agreed to repay the Rehoboth Beach organization more than $175,000.

The possible theft came to light in August 2022, when an independent audit of CAMP Rehoboth’s 2020 financials revealed an active investigation into possible counterfeit reimbursements to an employee. According to the audit, payments to an unnamed employee totaled about $77,000 for the year ending Dec. 31, 2020.

The DOJ issued the indictment Feb. 26. Soon afterward, CAMP Rehoboth issued a statement on the organization’s website. Executive Director Kim Leisey said March 4 the statement was a collaborative effort between her and CAMP Rehoboth’s board of directors.

Seeley departed from his role in September 2021, after working for CAMP Rehoboth for more than 20 years, said the statement. “Mr. Seeley's actions are a deep betrayal to not only CAMP Rehoboth, but also the entire community we serve,” said the nonprofit’s officials.

According to Mat Marshall, spokesman for the Attorney General's Office, the DOJ entered into a plea agreement with Seeley that will see him plead guilty to one count of theft in excess of $50,000, a Class D felony, agree to make restitution of $176,199.78 to CAMP Rehoboth and have no contact with past or present employees of CAMP. At sentencing April 5, the state anticipates presenting a sentence recommendation of two years of incarceration at a Level 5 facility.

CAMP’s statement said when they discovered financial irregularities in September 2021, immediate action was taken and state authorities were notified. An internal investigation was conducted, and based on a consultant's recommendations, it updated existing financial control policies and procedures as needed, said CAMP.

The nonprofit said it fully cooperated with law enforcement from day one and, at the DOJ’s request, did not speak publicly about the investigation while it was ongoing for fear that would jeopardize its integrity. It was extremely difficult given CAMP Rehoboth’s commitment to transparency with the community about day-to-day operations during the recent leadership transition, said the statement.

“CAMP Rehoboth thanks investigators for their diligence on this case, and appreciates the community's patience as we navigated this matter,” said CAMP officials. “CAMP Rehoboth looks forward to keeping pride in progress, and will continue its mission to create a more positive environment that is inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities in southern Delaware and beyond.”