Denney

DOJ responds to McGuiness’ claims of unfair trial: ‘She is wrong’

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Department of Justice on Monday responded to State Auditor Kathy McGuiness’ 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 — or grant a new trial on those charges. In prosecutors’ response to McGuiness’ motions, they said …

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

Charlie 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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Judge frustrated as auditor corruption trial falls behind schedule

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

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 …

Auditor Kathleen McGuiness

McGuiness’ daughter testifies in auditor corruption trial

Charlie 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 …

DelawareLive June 19

Delaware LIVE Weekly Review – June 19, 2022

Sonja FreyDelaware Live, Weekly Review

Click on the image below to view as a PDF This Week’s Top Headlines Include: Headlines Senate OKs mail-in voting despite claims it violates Constitution Rosa Trotter retires after 48 years of teaching kindergarten McGuiness trial day 3: Surprising testimony What it’s like to eat at Bardea Steak Culture Roman Catholics to carry Eucharist through Wilmington Sunday Your guide to …

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

Charlie 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 …

DelawareLive June 12

Delaware LIVE Weekly Review – June 12, 2022

Sonja FreyDelaware Live, Weekly Review

Click on the image below to view the PDF. This Week’s Top Headlines Include: Headlines Wilmington Learning Collaborative releases draft agreement McGuiness trial expected to begin Tuesday in Dover House votes against overriding Carney’s marijuana veto Big Brothers, Sisters snags $900,000 MacKenzie Scott donation Culture Delaware Juneteenth celebrations kick off Sunday ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ dancer performs male, female roles …

Kathy McGuiness

McGuiness trial expected to begin Tuesday in Dover

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Jury selection in the case against State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness has been set for Monday in Kent County. Assuming jury selection goes according to plan, court officials expect opening arguments to begin Tuesday. The trial was moved from Wilmington to Dover after McGuiness’s defense attorney objected to hearing the case in a different county than the auditor’s office.  McGuiness was …

a man standing in front of a store

State drops McGuiness case to reindict in Kent County

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Department of Justice will not pursue its prosecution of State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness in New Castle County, according to a spokesman for the court.  “The State has entered a Nolle Prosequi without prejudice and has indicated it will submit the case involving Kathleen McGuiness to the Kent County Grand Jury on Monday, June 6, 2022,” said Sean O’Sullivan, …

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McGuiness trial up in air as prosecutors ponder venue change

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The trial against Delaware State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness got off to a rocky start Tuesday after her defense team argued the case should be heard in Kent County rather than New Castle County. Rule 18 of the Superior Court says that in most cases, a prosecution shall be held in the county in which the offense or offenses are alleged …