A former principal of Sussex Central High School (SCHS) finds herself facing multiple legal charges, including Official Misconduct and Theft. These charges are tied to falsifying payments made to a staff member within the Indian River School District (IRSD), officials reported on Tuesday.

On March 19, a warrant was issued for Judith Brittingham, 46, of Lewes, involving multiple offenses such as Official Misconduct, Theft, and Forgery. This move came after investigations leading to an indictment related to falsified overtime and mileage compensation payments that Brittingham orchestrated to advantage an IRSD paraprofessional, with whom she reportedly later entered into a romantic involvement, according to the SG’s office.

Prosecutors charge that from April 4, 2022, to May 30, 2023, Brittingham orchestrated paying an IRSD paraprofessional for overtime covering in-home tutoring tasks conducted during regular school hours. Brittingham is accused of submitting fraudulent documents that falsely accounted for 159 overtime shifts, awarding the paraprofessional over $15,000 in wrongful overtime payouts, prosecutors stated.

The overpayments came to light after the SCHS Personnel Director informed Brittingham that the District had become aware of Brittingham’s romantic relationship with the Paraprofessional in 2024 and notified Brittingham that they would both be subjected to an investigation by the District, prompting Brittingham to disclose the payments officials said.

Brittingham’s false overtime filings also resulted in overpayment of mileage reimbursements to the paraprofessional. While the paraprofessional was legitimately entitled to some reimbursement for his drive to the student’s home, the mileage reimbursement he received was measured from his home in Laurel rather than from Sussex Central High School, resulting in an overpayment of just over $600. Investigators believe Brittingham submitted reimbursement forms on behalf of the paraprofessional without his knowledge or consent officials said.