Delaware auditor reports Marydel Volunteer Fire Company ignored its own budgeting bylaws and ran poker tournaments with no financial records; flags weak oversight of state fire funding

An April 28, 2026 investigation by Delaware's Office of Auditor of Accounts reviewed the Marydel Volunteer Fire Company for fiscal years 2021 through 2023 after allegations reached the State Fire Prevention Commission and the auditor's hotline. It found the company failed to comply with its own bylaws on budgeting, spent heavily on fundraising events, gift cards and conference travel, and ran unauthorized poker tournaments with no financial records.