DOVER – The Delaware Office of Budget Management (OMB) Director Cerron Cade was placed on paid leave as of Saturday evening due to “a personal legal matter,” according to state officials.
Cade was arrested on six counts of misdemeanor shoplifting from a Home Depot in the Brandywine Hills, according to the Delaware State Police. DSP had conducted a thorough investigation and, with consultation with the Delaware Department of Justice, it was determined that there was enough probable cause to issue a warrant, according to DSP representatives. Cade turned himself in at Troop 2, where he was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on his own recognizance.
Gov. John Carney made the announcement in a rare Saturday evening press release, before the DSP confirmed to the press about the charges Cade had been a longtime associate of the governor’s, including serving as Carney’s campaign manager for the 2016 gubernatorial race.
Since Carney had been sworn into office, Cade had served several high-profile positions in the last eight years. That included leading the now-defunct Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) which later transitioned into the state’s Division of Small Business. Cade later served as the Labor Secretary between 2018 and 2021.
“Cerron has been a dedicated member of my team for years, so this is obviously a disappointment and a surprise. I am hopeful he can work through this challenge and return to his career in public service,” the governor said in a prepared statement on Saturday evening.
As the OMB director, Cade oversees the design and implementation of Delaware’s $6 billion budget as of Fiscal Year 2025, as well as maintaining the state’s facilities and overseeing state employee pensions and fleet services.
While on administrative leave, the state Department of Human Resources will conduct a review to determine if there is a violation of the state employee standard of conduct policy, according to the governor’s office.
Under such policy, state employees must conduct themselves in a manner that “upholds public trust and preserves public confidence, avoid conduct which violates, or creates the suspicion of violating the public’s trust, which may reflect unfavorably upon the State and its government.”
The policy also states that employees will not engage in bullying, harassment, threatening behavior or derogatory language – in person, via email or social media – as well.
As Cade is on leave, Carney has named OMB Deputy Director Courtney Stewart as the acting director.
Carney had also tapped Cade to join him in Wilmington City Hall. As the Wilmington Mayor-elect, Carney had also been working to shape his own administration, and Cade was slated as the next Chief of Staff.
As Carney will resign from office so he can be sworn in as Wilmington Mayor on Jan. 7, he has asked Tanny Washington, the chief of staff for Mayor Purzycki, to stay on an interim basis.
Editor’s note: this story has been updated to include details on OMB Director Cerron Cade’s legal matters.
