In a rare move, the Delaware Democratic Party has endorsed a primary challenger over a sitting statewide-elected Democrat. The state party’s 25-member executive committee unanimously voted last week to endorse Lydia York, a candidate for auditor of accounts, over incumbent Auditor Kathy McGuiness. McGuiness on July 1 was found guilty of three misdemeanor charges, including official misconduct, structuring, and conflict …
DOJ responds to McGuiness’ claims of unfair trial: ‘She is wrong’
The Delaware Department of Justice on Monday responded to State Auditor Kathy McGuinessâ 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 â or grant a new trial on those charges. In prosecutorsâ response to McGuinessâ motions, they said …
House speaker refuses to consider McGuiness removal
The Delaware Senate on Monday passed a resolution to begin a process Democratic leadership hopes will result in the removal of one of their own: State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness. Every Republican voted against the measure, putting them in line with House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth, who said he has âno intention of calling the House into session to consider this …
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 juryâs 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 …
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. McGuinessâ 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 …
McGuiness Trial: DOJ investigator says he got ‘twisted up’
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 …
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’ daughter testifies in auditor corruption trial
Prosecutors called State Auditor Kathleen McGuinessâ 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 âSaylarâ McGuinessâ 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 …
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 …