Speak Up: Delaware auditor’s attorney seeks state funds for her defense

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An attorney last week filed a motion seeking state funds for the defense of indicted State Auditor Kathy McGuiness, who is charged with two felonies and three misdemeanors for alleged misconduct in office. On Monday, DOJ filed a petition requesting that the motion be denied, pointing to Delaware law allowing for the provision of counsel for public officials “in a criminal ... action against the person arising from state employment.”

  • This woman was elected to the office by the people of this state and was expected to perform it honestly and with integrity. At this point, she has been indicted for violating the trust we put in her to do the job honestly and within the law. Now, she goes out and hires a private attorney, as is her right, but just like any other citizen who does that, she should be expected to pay for those services. All of us are familiar with the Miranda rights: “If you can’t afford one, one will be appointed for you.” I don’t see any difference with her or anyone else who can’t pay. The Public Defender’s Office is already funded for that purpose by the people of this state. If she doesn’t want that, then let her come up with the funds to pay the bills. If she can’t, then let her take the same road that everyone else does that’s in the same situation. When she was elected, there was no guarantee that she would get a free ride if she were to break the law. — Paul Sherman
  • This law was intended to provide representation for an employee that was being sued or charged resulting from the lawful performance of their duty. That is not the case here. She was charged with misconduct while in office; there’s no way the taxpayers should be on the hook to defend her from allegations of victimizing those same taxpayers. — B.K. Smith
  • OK. I get it, but if she is found not guilty then maybe the AG should foot her legal bills for using her office to try to further her political aspirations. Maybe the Democratic Party should chip in on legal fees for using these political (stunts) to get their progressives in office and ruining our state! — Doug Drummond
  • Operative word being “allegations.” She has not been tried or found guilty, and there is a definite conflict of interest. You can’t say her performance was unlawful if she hasn’t even been tried yet. That is simply your opinion. If she is found guilty, she may be required to pay back whatever attorney fees were paid by the state. — Jackie Veal Cates
  • Why am I not surprised? A Democrat, in Delaware, feeling she is privileged to have the state appoint a lawyer? Where does she work again? Oh, yeah. The state auditor. Her job is to ensure the state does not get ripped off! — Dennis Mehrenberg
  • I do agree with her, but if found guilty, I feel she then should have to pay back the fees the taxpayers had to pay as part of sentencing. That should be any state worker. — Jeff Grzeszczak
  • No way. Let her pay for a lawyer out of her pocket. — Joanne Young
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