Superior Court Judge William Carpenter Jr.

Longest-serving Superior Court judge to retire

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware’s longest-serving Superior Court judge will retire after 30 years on the bench, court administrators announced Wednesday. Judge William Carpenter Jr. will step down Dec. 31, 2022, he said in a letter to Gov. John Carney in October. “While it is always difficult to walk away from a job that you have found so rewarding, my time has come,” Carpenter …

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Court halts state switch to Medicare Advantage

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The state’s plan to transition state government retirees’ health insurance from original Medicare to a privately-managed Medicare Advantage plan has been temporarily blocked.  A Delaware Superior Court judge on Wednesday ordered the state to halt implementation of the plan until the case is fully adjudicated.  The court will schedule a trial to make a final determination on the fate of …

Kathy McGuiness appeal

No jail time for ‘deeply remorseful’ McGuiness

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware state Auditor Kathy McGuiness will not see the inside of a jail cell after being sentenced on two misdemeanor public corruption charges Wednesday. Prosecutors asked the judge to impose a 30-day prison sentence. Instead, she’ll face one year of probation, a $10,000 fine, and 500 hours of community service. McGuiness plans to appeal her convictions to the Delaware Supreme …

Denney

McGuiness deserves to be behind bars, prosecutors say

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

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 …

McGuiness

Judge sides with Auditor McGuiness in Medicaid standoff

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services must hand over Medicaid records to State Auditor Kathy McGuiness, a Superior Court judge ruled this week. For nearly two years, McGuiness has been seeking access to the information, which she says her office needs to determine whether DHSS’s Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance is complying with federal and state requirements. …

State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness

McGuiness asks judge to overrule guilty verdict or grant new trial

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

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 …

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 …

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

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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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 …