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’ 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 …
Current, former employees testify in McGuiness trial
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 Wagnerâs tenure, prior to McGuinessâ election. After McGuiness took over, staff meetings began with employees being asked to recite the office motto, âconfidentiality,â they said. Prosecutors hope to establish that McGuiness …
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 …
Prosecutors continue calling witnesses in McGuiness trial
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 …
Bill to create Delaware inspector general moves forward
A bill to establish an âindependent and nonpartisanâ inspector general’s office moved forward Wednesday in a Delaware House committee. The House Administration Committee also moved along a bill to encourage filming in the state by offering tax credits. The committee started discussion to create a constitutional right of a clean environment, but, citing time, continued discussion to Thursdayâs committee meeting, …
Trial of Auditor Kathy McGuiness begins in Dover
The trial of State Auditor Kathy McGuiness began Tuesday in Dover with both sides delivering fiery opening statements before recessing for lunch. With the jury seated, prosecutors laid out their case against the statewide-elected Democrat, arguing she is guilty of facilitating waste, fraud and abuse despite being the elected official designated to fight against those things. But high-powered defense attorney …
State auditor sued by former employee, political opponent
State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness is being sued by a former employee and political opponent who alleges she was wrongfully terminated. The lawsuit was filed on the same day McGuiness was set to face trial on a slew of corruption charges in Wilmington. Her trial was ultimately relocated to Kent County where it will begin Tuesday. Kathleen Davies, a career auditor …