Supreme Court says former Newport police chief convicted of official misconduct can take office

Delaware’s high court on Friday ruled that former Newport Police Chief Michael Capriglione can hold the town commission seat he was elected to earlier this year, overturning a lower court's ruling that barred him from holding office.

The one-page order from the Delaware Supreme Court states that Capriglione shall be allowed to take the oath of office and that the court will explain its legal rationale in a more thorough opinion later.

"I feel vindicated," Capriglione said when reached by telephone Friday.

A spokesperson for Attorney General Kathy Jennings, whose office fought to bar Capriglione from the commission seat, said Capriglione being allowed to take office is disappointing and that "abusing public office ought to be at the top of the list of disqualifications from holding future office."

Read more: https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2021/07/16/court-says-ousted-newport-police-chief-not-barred-public-office/7992547002/