Delaware chief medical examiner fired

DOVER, Del. -- Officials say Delaware's chief medical examiner has been fired for misconduct and is the subject of a criminal probe involving misuse of state resources.

The heads of Delaware's department of health and department of homeland security disclosed Friday in a statement that Richard Callery was terminated July Fourth.

On that date, a new law abolished his office and replaced it with a new forensic sciences division.

The law was prompted by an ongoing scandal and criminal investigation involving possible evidence tampering and theft at the state drug-testing lab, which was part of the medical examiner's office.

Officials say Callery was fired for doing private work on state time, neglecting his official duties, and engaging in private work that constituted conflicts of interest with his state duties.