State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness, who on July 1 was found guilty of three misdemeanor corruption charges, has asked the judge in her trial to overrule the juryâs verdict. Separately, defense attorney Steve Wood asked Superior Court Judge William Carpenter Jr. to grant a new trial on the three counts on which she was found guilty, citing numerous perceived errors made …
McGuiness defense rests, closing arguments Thursday
Testimony concluded Wednesday afternoon in the criminal corruption trial of State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness. Now that both sides have rested, the jury will hear closing statements and the judgeâs instructions Thursday, then begin deliberations. McGuiness is charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors alleging conflict of interest, theft, non-compliance with procurement law, official misconduct and witness intimidation. Sheâs accused of arranging …
Senate sends gun, abortion bills to Carney
Delawareâs Democrat-majority Senate on Tuesday sent several controversial bills to Gov. John Carney for his signature. Most of the topics seemed ripped from headlines. The gun bill would bar anyone under 21 from buying or owning a gun, as well as controlling a firearm or ammunition. The abortion bill will increase the number of health professionals who can perform an …
Prosecution rests in auditor trial, defense to wrap up soon
The State of Delaware rested its case against State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness Tuesday after eight and a half days of testimony. McGuinessâ defense team began presenting its case and hopes to wrap it up by Wednesday afternoon. Defense attorney Steve Wood asked Superior Court Judge William Carpenter to issue a judgment of acquittal on each of the five charges against …
McGuiness Trial: DOJ investigator says he got ‘twisted up’
State Auditor Kathleen McGuinessâ defense attorney on Monday grilled a Department of Justice investigator who admitted to making multiple false statements under oath. Franklin Robinson, chief investigator of the Justice Departmentâs Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust, said he got âtwisted upâ when he admitted during an April suppression hearing that a search warrant for McGuinessâ office included false …
Judge frustrated as auditor corruption trial falls behind schedule
Prosecutors in the criminal corruption trial of State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness say they plan to rest their case Monday, assuming everything goes according to plan. The trial entered its seventh day Friday and featured two former auditors and two former accountants. That testimony was about as exciting as it sounds. The real fireworks happened not on the witness stand, but …
Key witness against McGuiness admits he lied to grand jury
State auditor Kathleen McGuinessâ former chief of staff took the stand Thursday to discuss his participation in the investigation that led to McGuinessâ indictment. Instead, he spent most of his time detailing a relationship he had with a subordinate staffer. Thomas Van Horn said during Day 6 of the criminal corruption trial that he was shocked when he was forced …
McGuiness trial day 3 features daughter’s friend, accounting director
Prosecutors continued calling witnesses during the third day of the trial against State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness. First to take the stand was Virginia Bateman, a friend of McGuinessâ daughter, both of whom were employed by the Office of the Auditor as casual seasonal employees in 2020. Much of Batemanâs testimony surrounded a recorded tape of a June 2021 phone conversation …
After months of waiting, McGuiness trial off to a slow start
State prosecutors called on three witnesses Wednesday to detail Auditor Kathy McGuinessâ alleged habit of surveilling employeesâ emails, as well as the lack of emails sent to and by her daughter who worked in the office, and the way a consulting group was paid. McGuiness is charged with two felonies and multiple misdemeanors alleging conflict of interest, felony theft, non-compliance …
McGuiness trial expected to begin Tuesday in Dover
Jury selection in the case against State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness has been set for Monday in Kent County. Assuming jury selection goes according to plan, court officials expect opening arguments to begin Tuesday. The trial was moved from Wilmington to Dover after McGuiness’s defense attorney objected to hearing the case in a different county than the auditor’s office. McGuiness was …