Prosecutors continue calling witnesses in McGuiness trial

Kent County Courthouse, Dover, Del. (Charlie Megginson/Delaware LIVE)

Prosecutors continued to call witnesses Wednesday on day two of testimony in the trial of State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness.

The jury entered the courtroom more than an hour behind schedule because of technological difficulties.

RELATED: Trial of Auditor Kathy McGuiness begins in Dover

McGuiness sat quietly at the defense table while employees from the Department of Technology and Information detailed electronic records requests processed by the department.

The records requests were made by McGuiness in an attempt to surveil and intimidate witnesses, prosecutors argued.

Other records were subpoenaed by prosecutors during their investigation to demonstrate that McGuiness’ daughter, Elizabeth “Saylar” McGuiness, rarely used her state email address. 

The witnesses did not testify to the content of any emails or other electronic communications. 

McGuiness is charged with two felonies and multiple misdemeanors alleging conflict of interest, felony theft, non-compliance with procurement law, official misconduct and felony witness intimidation.

She’s accused of arranging public payments to a campaign consultant to avoid regulator scrutiny, firing workers in her office to hire her daughter whose salary was deposited into a jointly-owned bank account, and attempting to intimidate employees who might help investigators looking into her conduct. 

If found guilty, McGuiness faces between zero and 13 years in prison. 

The trial marks the first time in Delaware history that a statewide-elected official has stood trial while in office.

This report will be updated.

Charles Megginson

Charlie Megginson covers government and politics for Town Square LIVE News. Reach him at (302) 344-8293 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @cmegginson4.