Despite charges, McGuiness ranks second nationally on transparency reports

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

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State Auditor Kathy McGuiness

Auditor Kathy McGuiness’s office currently ranks second nationally in the number of reports shared publicly on the federal government’s Oversight.gov website. 

The site contains publicly accessible reports, investigations and recommendations from state and local inspection offices and is managed by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.

Shiji Thomas, spokesperson for the National Science Foundation Office of the Inspector General, said McGuiness has been one of the most active participants since the inception of the Oversight.gov state and local page.

“Kathy McGuiness and her team provided critical support right from the start,” Thomas said. “Through the development and pilot phases, McGuiness’ team worked closely with the Oversight.gov team to make the page a reality.”

Alongside McGuiness, the top six agencies include Oregon’s Secretary of State Audits Division, Indiana Office of the Inspector General, Chicago Office of the Inspector General, Arlington County Auditor, and Florida’s Office of the Chief Inspector General. 

A total of 381 reports have been submitted with Delaware’s Auditor’s Office accounting for 115 of those reports.

“My office works diligently, with a fixed determination, to provide independent, objective oversight of the state government’s use of taxpayer dollars,” McGuiness said in a press release. “It is a proud moment when you see the difference your efforts have made. I’m excited to keep with this momentum and continue serving the great State of Delaware.”

The announcement comes as McGuiness faces numerous felony and misdemeanor corruption charges alleging conflict of interest, felony theft, non-compliance with procurement law, official misconduct and felony witness intimidation.

She’s accused of arranging public payments to a campaign consultant to avoid regulator scrutiny, firing workers in her office to hire her daughter, who she allowed to use a state car and kept paying while the daughter was in college and not working, and attempting to intimidate employees who might help investigators looking into her conduct. 

She is expected to face trial in May 2022. If found guilty, McGuiness could face up to 13 years in jail. She has pleaded not guilty on all charges.

Despite calls for McGuiness’s resignation or suspension by legislators and advocacy groups, the auditor has committed to remain in office and continue working. 

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