Wilmington's public works commissioner has abruptly resigned after questions were raised about a federal prison sentence he served about 20 years ago.
The News Journal reports Alfonso Ballard resigned Thursday night about a week after the newspaper questioned his criminal record. Ballard had led the department since February.
The city did not explain Ballard's departure. Officials issued a two-sentence announcement saying Ballard resigned and that the mayor will name a replacement.
The 47-year-old Ballard had worked for the department for eight years before being promoted to commissioner.
In 1994, a federal indictment against Ballard stated that he fraudulently claimed nearly $8,000 in sickness benefits in the railroad industry while working for Delmarva Power and Light Co. at the time. Ballard served 14 months in prison.
A judge also ordered Ballard to pay $10,000 in restitution and a $1,100 assessment, according to court records.
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