Local
Payroll scam targets transgender employees
Fraudulent emails ask for change in bank account for direct deposits
Email messages claiming to be from an employee that were sent in November to the LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative in Arlington, Va., and to a yoga studio in Middleton, Del., requested that the employees’ direct deposit paycheck be sent to a new bank account.
According to an official with the LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative and the employee at the yoga studio, the emails had the employees’ correct names, including a photo, and included a bank account number for the Green Dot Bank where the email messages said the salary payments should be deposited.
Yoga studio teacher SK Smigiel, who identifies as transgender and uses the pronouns she/they, and LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative official S.C. Neely said their organizations checked with the employees to verify whether they wanted to change their bank accounts and quickly learned that the email messages were fake and were an attempt to steal the salary payment of the employees.
Smigiel told the Washington Blade she posted information about what happened on her Instagram page and received information from people across the country saying the same scam happened to others and at least some lost money.
“I shared that this happened to us,” Smigiel said in referring to her social media postings about the attempted scam. “And we got up to 12 other people across the country in the last month saying this has happened to them. And many of them lost money,” Smigiel told the Blade.
“So, their employers did not catch this before it went through,” she said. “So, now we are having active harm happening to people, and from what I’m seeing across the board, police are not investigating or doing anything to take action.”
According to Smigiel, the employees being targeted by this scam appear to be transgender, including the employee of the LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative in Arlington.
“For me it was the same thing,” she said. “I’m the only trans employee at my company. And I’m not sure if these people are starting on social media to try to find trans people and their employment specifically. But it has only happened from what I’ve seen to the trans community specifically, which is interesting.”
Smigiel, who spoke to the Blade on Dec. 9, said she had not yet reported the attempted scam to police in Delaware, but she saved copies of the fake emails sent to her employer at the yoga studio, which included a bank account number for the Green Dot Bank.
“I’m kind of sitting on it, waiting to hear more from other people I’ve spoken to, because they’re from different districts across the country,” she said.
Nealy, however, said she did report the attempted scam to Arlington police and, much to her disappointment, she was told police declined to investigate the incident.
Arlington police spokesperson Ashley Savage told the Blade police have documented the incident but confirmed a decision was made not to open an investigation at this time.
“Given it was an attempted fraud, there was no fraud that was committed,” Savage told the Blade. “And based on call volume, we have to evaluate the information that we receive regarding cases and whether or not there is information to follow up on,” she said.
Asked whether Arlington police could have followed up on this case, especially since the fake email messages sent to the Arlington based LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative included the name of a bank and a bank account number, Savage said, “The information has been documented.”
She added, “We do work with a high volume of cases, especially with property-based crimes,” she said. “And we do evaluate whether or not there is a solvability factor for each one of them, unfortunately.”
The Blade contacted the Green Dot Bank, which describes itself on its website as a “branchless bank that operates primarily through retail distribution locations nationwide.” A spokesperson for the bank said the bank was “aware of and engaged on this matter” but could not provide specific details.
“For privacy and security reasons, we’re unable to share details about customer accounts or circumstances, or specifics on our work to combat fraud,” said Whit Chapman, Green Dot Bank’s director of communications. “However, we can confirm that account protection and fraud prevention are top priorities at Green Dot, and we work around the clock and invest heavily to identify, block and address fraudulent activity.”
District of Columbia
SMYAL receives $25,000 award for ‘courageous acts’
D.C. group provides support services for LGBTQ youth
The D.C.-based organization SMYAL, which provides services for LGBTQ youth in the D.C. metro area, including housing for homeless LGBTQ youth, announced on June 30 that it received a $25,000 award for its “courageous acts” in support of the community it serves.
The award was a monetary grant from The Courage Project, which describes itself as a “national initiative investing in acts of courage and compassion that strengthens our communities and democracy.”
A statement on its website says it was launched in May 2025 and is funded and backed by leading national foundations in the U.S.
“At SMYAL, we are deeply grateful to receive support from The Courage Project and are inspired by their bold investment in LGBTQ+ youth at such a critical moment,” SMYAL CEO Erin Whelan said in a statement. “For queer and trans young people, simply showing up as themselves each day requires immense courage, and that courage is strengthened when organizations like The Courage Project stand behind them loudly, proudly, and without hesitation,” Whelan said.
In its statement announcing the award SMYAL says The Courage Project will recognize SMYAL and other awardees and their work on July 3 at the Washington National Cathedral as part of a special interfaith service marking the U.S. 250th anniversary.
“The Courage Project is a bold initiative honoring everyday acts of bravery – the quiet, often unseen acts of heroism that reflect the best of the American spirit and strengthen democracy at the community level,” the project states on its website.
Delaware
Delaware approves amendment protecting same-sex marriage
Measure must pass second vote in next year’s session
The Delaware General Assembly passed Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100 on the last day of the legislative session on Tuesday after being rescinded last week.
Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100 (SB-100) passed with 28 ‘yes’ votes, meeting the two-thirds threshold required for the bill to pass. Tuesday was the last day of the 153rd General Assembly.
The amendment would enshrine the right to same-sex and interracial marriage in the Delaware Constitution.
SB-100 was rescinded last week after it did not receive enough votes to pass. Democrats were short by three votes, with two Democratic members missing from the vote.
Rep. Josue Ortega (D-03) voted ‘no’ on SB-100 and Rep. Medinah Anton-Wilson (D-27) did not vote. However, both members voted ‘yes’ for Senate Substitute 2 for SB-100 on Tuesday.
Prime sponsor of SB 100, Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall (D-14), made the technical decision to change her vote last week from a ‘yes’ to a ‘no’ at the last minute to keep the bill alive.
Additionally, Republican Assemblyman Michael Smith (R-22) joined the Democrats with a ‘yes’ vote after voting ‘no’ on SB-100 last week.
In order for SB 100 to be enshrined into the state Constitution, it must be passed by two consecutive General Assemblies. Thus, the amendment will not be officially added to the Constitution unless it passes in the 154th General Assembly next year.
Rep. Snyder-Hall introduced the measure earlier this week.
“Just one week ago, we failed to pass this legislation. We failed the people of Delaware. But today, on the final day of the legislative session, the 153rd General Assembly affirmed that every Delawarean has the fundamental right to marry the person they love, regardless of race or gender,” said Snyder-Hall.
“Thank you to my colleagues for recognizing that the right to marry is a right worthy of protection and for voting yes on this important constitutional amendment.”
District of Columbia
Longtime Blade staffer Stephen Rutgers steps down after 14 years
Plans to focus on running Crush Dance Bar, other ventures
Longtime Washington Blade employee Stephen Rutgers announced he is stepping down after 14 years to focus on other ventures, including his part ownership of the popular Crush Dance Bar.
Rutgers was hired by the Blade in 2012 to help plan Pride festivities and over the years was promoted to director of sales and marketing. In addition to his broad set of responsibilities, Rutgers planned the annual Pride on the Pier celebration at the Wharf, which has exploded in popularity over the seven years since its launch.
“Watching Pride on the Pier grow from a new community event into one of D.C.’s signature Pride celebrations has been incredibly rewarding,” Rutgers said. “Expanding Pride on the Pier into a two-day festival for WorldPride in 2025 was definitely a career highlight. Seeing thousands of people come together to celebrate our community while supporting the Blade’s mission is something I’ll always be proud of.”
Rutgers described his biggest challenge as navigating the changing media landscape.
“More than ever, we’ve had to remind our community that local journalism matters and that it needs their support,” he said.
He added that he’s most proud of helping to ensure the Washington Blade is positioned to thrive for the next 50 years.
“I was fortunate to be part of the Blade during its 50th anniversary — a milestone that reflects its incredible history and impact,” Rutgers said. “The Blade has been an important voice for the LGBTQ community for more than five decades, and knowing I played a small part in helping its future is most important to me.”
Blade Publisher Brian Pitts praised Rutgers for juggling multiple responsibilities.
“We wish Stephen all the best,” Pitts said. “For the past 14 years, Stephen has been a vital part of the Blade, handling many things — marketing and advertising, sponsorships, and Blade signature events. We will all miss him.”
Blade Editor Kevin Naff thanked Rutgers for his years of service to the community.
“After 14 years, it’s hard to imagine the Blade without Stephen and his boundless energy and creativity,” Naff said. “He’s one of the hardest working and most dedicated people I’ve ever known and he will be missed. But change is the only constant and I know Stephen will move on successfully to new challenges and the Blade will expand on Stephen’s important work.”
As for what’s next for Rutgers, he said he plans to focus on Crush as well as his real estate business.
“I’ve always been someone who likes to stay busy,” Rutgers said. “For the past 12 years, I’ve balanced my work at the Blade and in real estate. Two years ago when I opened Crush, I never realized just how much time and energy it would take. The passing of my father earlier this year also gave me a new perspective. It reminded me that life is short and that it’s important to make time for the people and experiences that matter most. Stepping away from the Blade will allow me to focus on those ventures while also creating more balance in my life. After 14 incredible years, it feels like the right time for a new chapter.”
Naff said that for now Rutgers’s responsibilities will be divided between existing staff along with several new freelance contractors.
“The Washington Blade plays a unique role in our community’s fight for equality,” Rutgers said. “It’s the only LGBTQ news organization with White House credentials, giving it direct access to the people and institutions shaping policies that affect our community. The Blade continues to hold elected officials accountable, report on the issues that matter most to LGBTQ people, and tell the stories that often go uncovered by mainstream media.
“The Blade has been my family for most of my adult life. For 14 years, it has been part of my daily routine, so it’s going to feel very strange waking up and not logging on each morning.”
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