Google agreed to a $391.5 million settlement with 40 states Monday over charges that the company tracked users’ location data even when asked not to. Delaware will receive more than $4.3 million from the settlement. The money will go toward the Delaware Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Fund, allowing it to do future work without drawing on taxpayer dollars. Attorney …
McGuiness deserves to be behind bars, prosecutors say
If prosecutors have their way, state Auditor Kathy McGuiness will see prison time for her misdemeanor corruption convictions. McGuiness is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday after being found guilty in July of official misconduct and conflict of interest stemming from her decision to hire her daughter to work in the auditor’s office. The jury acquitted McGuiness of charges of theft …
Kent County couple indicted for serial child abuse, torture
A Kent County couple has been indicted on 646 charges, including more than 80 felonies, for allegedly abusing their two children. The Department of Justice announced the charges Wednesday afternoon. Over a period of 20 months, Mary Vinson, 45, and Charles Vinson, 36, are alleged to have abused their children, including making them stand for long periods of time; withholding …
Judge tosses 1 McGuiness conviction, upholds 2 others
The judge who oversaw the trial of Delaware State Auditor Kathy McGuiness has thrown out one of the jury’s three guilty verdicts. He upheld their guilty verdicts on the other two charges and denied McGuiness’ request for a new trial. On July 1, McGuiness was found guilty on three misdemeanor charges of official misconduct, structuring and conflict of interest. The …
DOJ: Buffett-owned mortgage firm guilty of redlining in NCCo
A Pennsylvania mortgage company owned by billionaire Warren Buffett will pay $20 million to resolve allegations of discrimination against Black and Latino homebuyers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, the Department of Justice announced this week. Attorneys general in the three states accused Trident Mortgage Company of redlining in the greater Philadelphia region, including New Castle County. Redlining, in the …
Wawa to pay Delaware 450K over 2019 data breach
Delaware will receive $450,000 out of an $8 million multi-state settlement with a Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain after a data breach compromised some 34 million payment cards. Attorney General Kathy Jennings said Wawa Inc. failed to take reasonable security measures to prevent such a data breach and therefore violated state consumer protection and personal information protection laws. Under the settlement, …
DOJ responds to McGuiness’ claims of unfair trial: ‘She is wrong’
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 …
McGuiness asks judge to overrule guilty verdict or grant new trial
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 jury’s 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 judge’s 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. She’s accused of arranging …
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. McGuiness’ 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 …