STATE AUDITOR KATHLEEN MCGUINESS (LEFT) AND HER ATTORNEY, STEVE WOOD, ENTER THE KENT COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN DOVER ON JUNE 24, 2022. (CHARLIE MEGGINSON/DELAWARE LIVE)

McGuiness defense rests, closing arguments Thursday

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

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 …

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Prosecution rests in auditor trial, defense to wrap up soon

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

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 …

Kathy McGuiness

Current, former employees testify in McGuiness trial

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The trial of State Auditor Kathy McGuiness kicked off Tuesday with testimony from one current and one former employee. Both employees worked as auditors under former State Auditor Tom Wagner’s tenure, prior to McGuiness’ election.  After McGuiness took over, staff meetings began with employees being asked to recite the office motto, “confidentiality,” they said. Prosecutors hope to establish that McGuiness …

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McGuiness trial day 3 features daughter’s friend, accounting director

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

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 McGuiness’ daughter, both of whom were employed by the Office of the Auditor as casual seasonal employees in 2020. Much of Bateman’s testimony surrounded a recorded tape of a June 2021 phone conversation …

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Prosecutors continue calling witnesses in McGuiness trial

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

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 …

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McGuiness waits for ruling on charge dismissal, trial date

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware Auditor of Accounts Kathleen McGuiness walks out of the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in Wilmington alongside her attorney, Steve Wood, after a pre-trial hearing on April 7, 2022. State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness’s attorney on Thursday asked a judge to consider pretrial motions to dismiss one of the charges she faces and compel the state to hand over information. …

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 …