McGuiness

McGuiness to be sentenced Wednesday

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware State Auditor Kathy McGuiness will be sentenced Wednesday on two misdemeanor charges. In July, McGuiness was found guilty of conflict of interest, official misconduct, and structuring to avoid compliance with procurement law. The structuring charge was later dismissed by the judge. Each conviction comes with a possible prison term of one year, though political observers believe her punishment will …

Denney

DOJ responds to McGuiness’ claims of unfair trial: ‘She is wrong’

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Department of Justice on Monday responded to State Auditor Kathy McGuiness’ claims that her trial was unfair. McGuiness asked the judge last week to overrule the jury and acquit her on each of the charges on which she was found guilty — or grant a new trial on those charges. In prosecutors’ response to McGuiness’ motions, they said …

Auditor Kathleen McGuiness

McGuiness’ daughter testifies in auditor corruption trial

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Prosecutors called State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness’ daughter to the stand Wednesday to testify about her employment with the office, her personal bank account and her use of a state-owned vehicle.  Elizabeth “Saylar” McGuiness’ testimony followed that of Christie Gross, a political consultant to whom McGuiness is accused of structuring payments to avoid regulator oversight.  McGuiness is defending herself against multiple …

Kathy McGuiness

Trial of Auditor Kathy McGuiness begins in Dover

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The trial of State Auditor Kathy McGuiness began Tuesday in Dover with both sides delivering fiery opening statements before recessing for lunch. With the jury seated, prosecutors laid out their case against the statewide-elected Democrat, arguing she is guilty of facilitating waste, fraud and abuse despite being the elected official designated to fight against those things. But high-powered defense attorney …

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Day 2 of McGuiness trial canceled after venue dispute

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness’s corruption trial will not begin until at least Thursday after Judge William Carpenter of the Delaware Superior Court announced Wednesday’s proceedings would be canceled.  The announcement came after McGuiness’s defense team on Tuesday asked Carpenter to dismiss the indictment altogether “based upon the State’s failure to properly allege venue,” defense attorney Steve Wood wrote in a …

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McGuiness trial up in air as prosecutors ponder venue change

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The trial against Delaware State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness got off to a rocky start Tuesday after her defense team argued the case should be heard in Kent County rather than New Castle County. Rule 18 of the Superior Court says that in most cases, a prosecution shall be held in the county in which the offense or offenses are alleged …

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DOJ investigator admits to misleading court in McGuiness case

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

State Auditor Kathy McGuiness will not have any charges dropped before her trial begins next week, a judge ruled Tuesday. McGuiness’ attorneys appeared before Judge William Carpenter of the Superior Court of Delaware to ask for a misdemeanor non-compliance with procurement law charge to be dismissed. RELATED: McGuiness pleads not guilty; bail set at $50,000 Defense attorney Steve Wood argued …

a woman sitting at a table using a laptop computer

Judge to consider motion to dismiss McGuiness charges

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Auditor of Accounts Kathleen McGuiness. Image from the Auditor’s website. Delaware State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness will face a judge for the first time Thursday after being indicted on multiple corruption charges last October.  While the trial won’t begin until May 16, Thursday’s hearing will address pretrial motions, including one from McGuiness’s defense team to dismiss the charges against her.  McGuiness …

Inspector General 1

Smith, Kowalko both draft bills to create inspector general

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Two bills set to be filed in the General Assembly would create an inspector general’s office in Delaware to investigate claims of waste, fraud, abuse and corruption within state government.  Rep. Mike Smith, R-Pike Creek, said while Delaware already has a state auditor and attorney general, the inspector general’s office would “fill a gap in their coverage.”   “The inspector general …

McGuiness Leg Hall 4

Judge issues gag order over McGuiness case

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Prosecution and defense attorneys will no longer be able to comment publicly on the McGuiness case. Those involved in State Auditor Kathy McGuiness’s criminal proceedings will no longer be able to comment publicly on the case after Superior Court Judge William Carpenter issued a gag order on Nov. 4.  The order prevents both defense and prosecution from making extrajudicial statements …