Downe Township Faces Scrutiny Over Settlement Paid to Mayor’s Stepson
Disclaimer: Portions of this article are based on a letter to the editor originally published on CNBNews.net on April 28, 2025, titled "Letter to the Editor: Road Collapse Incident and Political Concerns in Downe Township." The original letter can be accessed here. All credit for the initial reporting and public commentary goes to CNBNews.net and the original author.
A 2024 vehicle accident involving the stepson of Downe Township Mayor Mike Rothman has ignited a storm of controversy, as residents demand answers about the use of taxpayer funds, potential conflicts of interest, and a lack of public transparency.
On June 21, 2024, Nicholas (Nico) Haines was driving along Maple Avenue in Dividing Creek when the roadway allegedly collapsed beneath his truck. Haines later posted publicly about the incident, stating he suffered major financial losses — including the destruction of his vehicle and business equipment.
While Cumberland County ultimately declined to offer him compensation, Downe Township reportedly settled with Haines using local taxpayer dollars — a move raising serious concerns due to Haines’s family relationship to Mayor Rothman.
During an April 8, 2025 meeting of the Cumberland County Commissioners, Mayor Rothman spoke publicly on the matter, stating, “What Downe Township did in this situation was address it immediately, mitigated a lawsuit, and we settled between the township and the individual.” Rothman further called the situation “absurd” due to the County’s delay in compensating Haines, emphasizing the Township’s prompt action to resolve the issue. (County Meeting video link HERE)
The situation has fueled calls from residents for a full public accounting. Many question whether proper procedures were followed, whether conflicts of interest were adequately disclosed, and whether the settlement was appropriate given new information that has surfaced.
Unverified residential rumors now circulating include: allegations that Haines may have been driving under the influence and was possibly uninsured at the time of the crash. If verified, these factors could materially impact the legitimacy of his settlement claim and the township’s use of public funds.
No police report related to the crash has yet been made public.
In addition to the ongoing questions about the settlement, unverified rumors of a fallout between Mayor Rothman and the Cumberland County GOP have further complicated his political standing. Despite Rothman’s claims of continued support and endorsement from the County GOP, sources close to the party suggest there are significant tensions brewing. These reports, if verified, could raise serious doubts about Rothman’s political alliances and his standing within the party, especially in an election year. Such a fallout — if it proves true — could add further strain to his reelection efforts, which are already being questioned by concerned residents.
Further muddying the waters, CNB News previously reported that Rothman would not seek reelection. However, despite the source, his name still appears on the 2025 Republican primary ballot. This contradiction has left many voters confused and speculating about Rothman’s true intentions and the legitimacy of his candidacy.
The April 8th meeting also featured emotional testimony from Haines, who detailed the financial and emotional hardships he suffered following the crash. His mother, Nikki Rothman, also addressed the Commissioners, describing the trauma of nearly losing her son and criticizing the County’s delay in addressing long-standing infrastructure problems.
Following public comments, the Commissioners moved into a closed session to discuss litigation and negotiations. However, the lack of immediate answers has only intensified public demands for transparency and accountability.
Key questions remain unanswered:
Was a formal police investigation conducted at the time of the accident?
Was Nicholas Haines driving while intoxicated at the time of the accident?
Was Haines properly insured at the time of the incident?
How much taxpayer money was used by Downe Township to settle Haines’s claim?
Were the settlement discussions and payments disclosed to the public as required by law?