WILMINGTON -- In keeping with its mandate to bring transparency and accountability to state and local government, the Caesar Rodney Institute (CRI) announces that former News Journal investigative reporter Lee Williams has joined CRI as investigative reporter and media director. 
 
“We sought Lee out because of his track record of exposing fraud, waste and abuse within state agencies such as the Delaware Psychiatric Center and the state’s prison system,” said Caesar Rodney Institute Chairman and CEO Barrett Kidner. “Lee’s persistence and experience will open the doors on Delaware government. We are thrilled to have him.”
 
Williams’ more than 150 stories about the Delaware Psychiatric Center (DPC) led to numerous state probes, the ongoing civil rights investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and the prestigious Public Service Award from the Associated Press Managing Editors. 
 
“More importantly, those stories improved the lives of Delaware’s most vulnerable citizens,” Kidner said. “By joining Lee with our other team members, the Caesar Rodney Institute shall become the source for quality information, solutions and critiques of Delaware’s government spending and policy decisions. This increased scrutiny shall improve the lives and liberty of all Delawareans.”
 
Williams has worked as a journalist in two states and a U.S. Territory. His stories, which have focused on civil rights abuse and government accountability, have received some of the nation’s top journalism awards, such as the Society of Professional Journalist’s Sigma Delta Chi Medallion and the American Bar Association’s Silver Gavel Award.
 
He lives in Wilmington with his wife Carla Varisco Williams. You can reach him at (302) 242-9272 or Lee@caesarrodney.org.
 
Lee joins Garrett Wozniak, who was hired by the Caesar Rodney Institute as Public Policy Director in February. Wozniak is a seasoned political strategist with years of experience working for the legislature and in political campaigns.
 
Next month, CRI will launch DelawareSpends.com, which will be the state’s most comprehensive transparency and accountability website.
 
The Caesar Rodney Institute (CRI) is a 501(c)(3) non-partisan research and educational organization dedicated to open government, fiscal accountability and personal responsibility. CRI has offices in Wilmington and Dover.