Former Camden Town Manager Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison

WILMINGTON, DE—James O. Plumley, the former town manager of Camden, Delaware, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Richard G. Andrews to 24 months of imprisonment for his role in a kickback scheme to unlawfully defraud the state of Delaware of more than $200,000 in years 2004 through 2008. In addition to the prison term, Judge Andrews ordered Plumley to repay over $204,000 to the state of Delaware.

Prior to his position as the Camden Town Manager, Plumley was employed at Roofing Resources Inc. and was responsible for assisting the state of Delaware’s Division of Facilities Management select qualified contractors to repair and maintain roofs at state-owned facilities. Plumley used this position to steer roofing contracts to his co-defendant, contractor William P. Mahon. In return and at Plumley’s direction, Mahon inflated his project bids by a specified amount, which he later deposited into Plumley’s checking account as a kickback. Over the course of the scheme, the FBI was able to identify $204,000 in kickbacks that Plumley received from Mahon between 2004 and 2008.

This case was made possible through substantial cooperation by the Camden Police Department, including Chief of Police William E. Bryson and Captain Gary Melvin, who conducted the initial investigation of Plumley and provided the FBI with a strong foundation for its case here.

Charles M. Oberly, III, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware stated, “This is an example of our commitment to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute individuals who criminally exploit positions of trust within our community. This is especially true when individuals abuse the government’s trust for their own benefit. Hopefully, this prison sentence will serve as a deterrent to others who elevate their own benefit above the duty they owe to the citizens of Delaware.”

“Tax payers trust their tax money will be used wisely and not stuffed into the pockets of corrupt people. The reason people who serve governments are held to a higher standard is because they have access to incredible power and influence. It can’t be abused, and the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office won’t let it be,” said FBI Baltimore Division Special Agent in Charge Stephen Vogt.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Shawn A. Weede and Jennifer L. Hall. For further information, please contact Public Information Officer Kim Reeves at (302) 573-6277, ext. 16287.

See Also: United States v. William P. Mahon, Criminal Action No. 13-33-RGA