FORMER SUSSEX CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL ARRESTED FOR OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT AND FORGERY
Sussex County, DE - A former principal of Sussex Central High School (SCHS), Judith Brittingham, age 46, of Lewes, Delaware, has been arrested and formally charged with Official Misconduct, Theft, and Forgery.
The charges stem from allegations of falsified overtime and mileage compensation payments made to an Indian River School District (IRSD) paraprofessional, with whom Brittingham later initiated a romantic relationship.
Charges Filed Following Investigation
On March 19, 2025, Brittingham was officially served with a warrant and taken into custody. The indictment is the result of an extensive investigation revealing a scheme that involved the submission of fraudulent payment forms to benefit the paraprofessional between April 4, 2022, and May 30, 2023.
According to authorities, Brittingham arranged for the paraprofessional to receive overtime compensation for in-home tutoring services ostensibly conducted during school hours. A total of 159 false overtime shifts were submitted, leading to $15,000 in unlawful payments.
Further, Brittingham is alleged to have falsified mileage compensation forms, resulting in over $600 in excess reimbursements, which were calculated based on the paraprofessional's home address in Laurel rather than Sussex Central High School.
Relationship Disclosure and District Investigation
The overpayments came to light after the SCHS Personnel Director notified Brittingham that the District had become aware of her romantic involvement with the paraprofessional in early 2024. A subsequent investigation by the District prompted Brittingham to disclose the fraudulent payments voluntarily.
While the paraprofessional was entitled to partial mileage reimbursements for driving to a student's home, investigators believe that Brittingham submitted false claims on his behalf without his knowledge or consent.
Attorney General Statement
Commenting on the case, Attorney General Kathy Jennings stated, "No one is above the law or beneath justice. Public employees who break the law are harming taxpayers, themselves, and good public servants whose work is undermined when the public trust is eroded. I am grateful to our prosecutors and the Delaware State Police for their dedication as we move forward with this case."
Disclaimer: This article contains content regarding an individual formally charged with a crime or traffic violation. It is important to underline that every individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The details mentioned in this article reflect the current stage of the legal proceedings and are not meant to imply or conclude guilt or innocence.
