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 …
State drops McGuiness case to reindict in Kent County
The Delaware Department of Justice will not pursue its prosecution of State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness in New Castle County, according to a spokesman for the court. âThe State has entered a Nolle Prosequi without prejudice and has indicated it will submit the case involving Kathleen McGuiness to the Kent County Grand Jury on Monday, June 6, 2022,â said Sean OâSullivan, …
McGuiness trial up in air as prosecutors ponder venue change
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 …
TurboTax owner to pay $400K to Delawareans after âmisleadingâ users
Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Wednesday that Intuit Inc., the company behind online tax filing software TurboTax, will pay more than $400,000 to low-income Delaware residents who were deceived by the company. The settlement comes as part of a $141 million agreement between the attorneys general of all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Intuit. Intuit must also …
Judge to consider motion to dismiss McGuiness charges
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 wonât begin until May 16, Thursdayâs hearing will address pretrial motions, including one from McGuinessâs defense team to dismiss the charges against her. McGuiness …