Delaware auditor corruption trial could stretch into July

By Craig Anderson
Posted 6/24/22

DOVER — With ample email chains to review, along with purchase orders, invoices and more, the trial of Delaware’s state auditor continued to creep along Friday.

Add in consistent …

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Delaware auditor corruption trial could stretch into July

Posted

DOVER — With ample email chains to review, along with purchase orders, invoices and more, the trial of Delaware’s state auditor continued to creep along Friday.

Add in consistent sidebars among attorneys and a judge and a resolution of the criminal corruption case of Kathy McGuiness could stretch into July.

While Judge William Carpenter Jr. has said he hoped the matter would be finalized in two weeks, the trial’s third week will begin Monday morning at the Kent County Courthouse.

During Friday’s proceedings, Judge Carpenter cited a concern for jurors, as one had tested positive for COVID-19 and thus unavailable. The judge instructed the remaining jurors to get tested Friday or today and call jury services Monday if they can’t attend.

Proceedings are scheduled to run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The prosecution will finish presenting its case at some point, then the defense will follow. Attorneys then will make closing arguments of 90 minutes or less, as Judge Carpenter ordered.

Ms. McGuiness is charged with conflict of interest: violation of the state officials’ code of conduct, felony theft, misdemeanor structuring: non-compliance with procurement law, misdemeanor official misconduct, and felony theft.

After being indicted in October 2021, the auditor pleaded not guilty to all charges.

At times during the trial, at least three jurors have appeared to nod off briefly as attorneys made their case, sometimes two at once.

Deputy Attorneys General Mark Denney, Nicole Mozee and Maria Knoll are prosecuting the case, with attorneys Steve Wood and Chelsea Botsch representing Ms. McGuiness.

At one point Friday, Mr. Wood and Mr. Denney loudly tried to make their points at the same time and Judge Carpenter chided them, saying “Please do not personalize what is going on here ... both sides.”

The judge then noted the now-lengthy proceedings and their path into next week.

Ms. McGuiness, a Democrat, was elected to office in 2018 and has filed to run for the office again. Janice Lorrah, a Republican, has also filed to run. The General Election will be held on Nov. 8.

Ms. McGuiness’s office has continued to function during the trial, and results from audits connected to the Cape Henlopen and Caesar Rodney school districts were recently announced.

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