Delaware News Roundup: Lawmaker Charged in Domestic Violence Case, Veolia Sues Over PFAS and More

Published Aug 16, 2026 · Community · Red Rock Daily staff

Here’s a roundup of recent Delaware news: state prosecutors charged Rep. Josue Ortega with offensive touching months after police began investigating claims he punched a woman, water supplier Veolia sued nine companies over PFAS contamination, DNREC closed the Seaford Fishing Pier on the Nanticoke River over structural flaws, Wilmington removed its four Flock automated license plate reader cameras, and lifeguards are reporting more jellyfish sightings and stings at Delaware beaches.

State charges Rep. Josue Ortega with offensive touching

The Delaware Department of Justice charged Rep. Josue Ortega (D-Wilmington) with offensive touching, a misdemeanor, months after Delaware State Police began investigating claims he punched a woman in the face. (Spotlight Delaware, Aug. 13, 2026; also WHYY and The News Journal, Aug. 13-14) Ortega turned himself in Thursday, Aug. 6 at DSP Troop 6 headquarters on Kirkwood Highway, was arraigned and released on a $100 bond, and was given a no-contact order with the victim. (Spotlight Delaware, Aug. 13, 2026) A police report dated May 21 says Ortega punched a woman “in the left side of her face” while sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle; the woman also claims he previously “threatened to kill” her or her children. (Spotlight Delaware, Aug. 13, 2026)

House leaders launched a confidential Ethics Committee investigation in mid-June; the committee held a closed-door meeting in July. (Spotlight Delaware, Aug. 13, 2026) House Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn-Harris (D-Dover) chairs the committee. (Spotlight Delaware, Aug. 13, 2026) Ortega was first elected in 2024 to represent District 3, covering part of west Wilmington including Hilltop, Little Italy and Hedgeville. (Spotlight Delaware, Aug. 13, 2026)

He denies the accusations: “Any suggestion that I have ever engaged in any act of domestic violence is patently untrue.” (Spotlight Delaware, Aug. 13, 2026) A DOJ spokesperson said the department will fully prosecute the case. (Spotlight Delaware, Aug. 13, 2026)

Veolia sues nine companies over PFAS contamination

Investor-owned drinking water supplier Veolia filed a lawsuit in Delaware Superior Court against nine companies, alleging they are responsible for contaminating Delaware drinking water sources with PFAS “forever chemicals.” (WHYY, Aug. 12, 2026; Waste Dive, Aug. 13, 2026; WDEL and Bloomberg Law, Aug. 12-13) Veolia provides drinking water to about 100,000 New Castle County residents. (WHYY, Aug. 12, 2026) The lawsuit seeks compensation for the new granular activated carbon treatment system completed at its Stanton plant in 2025, plus associated operating and monitoring costs, to protect ratepayers from rising water bills. (WHYY, Aug. 12, 2026)

Among the defendants is Syensqo Specialty Polymers (formerly Solvay Specialty Polymers), which operated a manufacturing facility at Greenbank Road in New Castle County adjacent to the Red Clay Creek, upstream of Veolia’s Stanton plant; about a third of Veolia’s water supply is sourced from the Red Clay Creek. (WHYY, Aug. 12, 2026) Other defendants include Ametek, Solvay Solexis, Niche Polymer, Marshallton Realty Holdings, Westchester Plastics, Coherent Corp., FMC Corp. and Edlon. (WHYY, Aug. 12, 2026) PFAS were previously detected at the Stanton plant at levels as high as 29 parts per trillion on average, per the company’s 2024 water quality report. (WHYY, Aug. 12, 2026)

DNREC closes Seaford Fishing Pier over structural flaws

DNREC closed the Seaford Fishing Pier on the Nanticoke River on Aug. 13 after an engineering assessment found structural flaws, including support pile deterioration and a sinkhole forming from a faltering bulkhead. (DNREC news release, Aug. 13, 2026; also WBOC and The News Journal) The pier predates DNREC’s construction upgrades to the Seaford boat ramp in 1997. (DNREC news release, Aug. 13, 2026) The boat ramp and parking lot, managed with the City of Seaford, remain open. (DNREC news release, Aug. 13, 2026)

DNREC Fisheries Section Administrator Jordan Zimmerman said the division is “working with the engineering firm to develop options either for remediation of the pier or replacing it with a new pier.” (DNREC news release, Aug. 13, 2026) Anglers are directed to the smaller public fishing pier at River View Park, directly adjacent to the boat ramp. (DNREC news release, Aug. 13, 2026)

Wilmington removes its Flock license plate cameras

Wilmington removed its four Flock automated license plate reader cameras from service, the city confirmed Aug. 10, amid a growing national debate over mass surveillance. (6abc/WPVI, Aug. 10, 2026) The cameras were donated to the city in 2023 by the nonprofit Delaware HELP Initiative; the mayor’s office said the city is removing the devices “because we are not in control of how they share data, and we do not have a contract with them.” (6abc/WPVI, Aug. 10, 2026)

Privacy advocates including ACLU Delaware executive director Mike Brickner applauded the decision; Wilmington continues to use license plate readers from other vendors. (6abc/WPVI, Aug. 10, 2026) New Castle County, meanwhile, uses 14 Flock cameras and says they help solve cases, citing a stolen-vehicle recovery near Christiana Mall and an April robbery arrest. (6abc/WPVI, Aug. 10, 2026) Flock Safety said it “strongly supports” legislation to establish safeguards around license plate reader technology. (6abc/WPVI, Aug. 10, 2026)

More jellyfish stings reported at Delaware beaches

Lifeguards and beach officials are reporting more jellyfish sightings and stings at Delaware beaches this month, with jellyfish arriving earlier than expected. (Beebe Healthcare, Aug. 12, 2026; also WJLA and NBC10 Philadelphia, Aug. 14, 2026) Warmer ocean temperatures can bring species like the lion’s mane jellyfish (known for its orange color and long tentacles) and the Atlantic sea nettle (a more painful sting) closer to shore, and currents can carry them into shallow swimming spots, according to Beebe Healthcare and DNREC. (Beebe Healthcare, Aug. 12, 2026)

The moon jellyfish causes only a mild prick, and sea walnuts (comb jellies) are harmless. (Beebe Healthcare, Aug. 12, 2026) Most stings cause short-lived pain and irritation that can be handled with basic first aid, but some require medical attention. (Beebe Healthcare, Aug. 12, 2026)

For more on the First State, see the Delaware guide.