Bradley Layfield

Layfield hearing: Employees say he was jovial showing video

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

GEORGETOWN — Ousted Sussex Central High School Principal ’s hearing Thursday to clear his name stretched into the mid-afternoon as  person after person testified he seemed jovial at showing a video of a school fight in which a student’s breast was exposed. Layfield was fired by the Indian River School District after being accused of circulating the video of the …

Superior Court Judge William Carpenter Jr.

Longest-serving Superior Court judge to retire

Charlie 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 …

Kathy McGuiness appeal

No jail time for ‘deeply remorseful’ McGuiness

Charlie 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 …

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 …

a man standing in front of a store

Auditor McGuiness reindicted in Kent County

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A Kent County grand jury on Monday re-indicted State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness after prosecutors abandoned an earlier indictment in New Castle County. McGuiness has again been charged with two felonies and three misdemeanors: Conflict of interest: Violation of the State Officials’ Code of Conduct (misdemeanor) Theft (felony) Structuring: Non-compliance with procurement law (misdemeanor) Official misconduct (misdemeanor) Intimidation (felony) 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 …

Judge denies request to dismiss McGuiness charge

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware Auditor of Accounts Kathleen McGuiness walks out of the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in Wilmington alongside her attorney, Steve Wood, after a pre-trial hearing on April 7, 2022. (Charlie Megginson, Delaware LIVE News) State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness’ request to dismiss the felony intimidation charge she faces was denied Monday. McGuiness is under indictment on a slew of felony …