Over two years after a Wilmington Neighborhood Conservancy Land Bank executive director quietly departed the organization, William Freeborn pleaded guilty to official misconduct and theft.
The Delaware Department of Justice’s Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust announced the two convictions against 67-year-old Freeborn in a news release Tuesday.
Freeborn confessed to knowingly accepting at least $28,000 in unauthorized cash deposits for properties that, despite his misrepresentations, did not yet belong to the land bank.
PREVIOUSLY:Former executive charged, but what’s next for Wilmington land bank?
BACKGROUND:Former Wilmington Land Bank director and City Council member accused of misusing office
QUIET DEPARTURE:Wilmington Land Bank without a director for second time in two years
State prosecutors claimed that between February 2019 and May 2020, Freeborn knowingly accepted cash deposits for property the land bank didn’t own.
Under the plea, Freeborn paid $28,000 in restitution for the misappropriated money and stipulated to a mechanism for any forthcoming claims; agreed to never again hold a position controlling finances of any nonprofit or government agency/program; is prohibited from having contact with the Wilmington land bank, and the Wilmington Housing Authority, or any members or employees of either organization.
He also must complete 50 hours of community service for the city of Wilmington and serve one year of probation in addition to a suspended one-year prison sentence, according to prosecutors.
“If you abuse the public’s trust we will hold you accountable,” Attorney General Kathy Jennings said in the news release. “The defendant used a position of public confidence to unethically and illegally secure thousands of dollars for his personal benefit. His acceptance of responsibility will bring closure and compensation to his victims, bans him from managing the public’s money, and requires him to volunteer for the people of Wilmington as part of his probation.”
While Freeborn departed the land bank in March of 2020, Wilmington land bank officials spent that year refusing to explain the circumstances surrounding his departure. Just over a year later, on April 27, the state Department of Justice announced charges against Freeborn, but even then, land bank officials declined to comment and steered focus to its work and mission.
At the time, the nonprofit issued a news release assuring the public that Freeborn’s misdeeds did not impact the “financial strength” of the land bank.
In the April 27 news release, board chairman Richard Gessner said they would “not allow the poor decisions of a former executive director to interfere with the positive affect that the WNCLB is having in preserving deteriorating neighborhoods.”
The justice department learned of the misappropriations after land bank staff and board members recognized “financial irregularities” and contacted the state department.
For a period of 90 days, additional claimants may submit documentation, under penalty of perjury, to Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust for restitution at publictrust@delaware.gov or 302-577-5400.
Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com, or by calling 302-598-5507. Follow her on Twitter at @mandy_fries.
