By Cris Barrish
The trial for state auditor Kathy McGuiness could be pushed back from its mid-May starting date.
“I’m not sure how realistic this is,’’ Judge William C. Carpenter said about meeting the scheduled time in remarks to Steve Wood, attorney for McGuiness, and prosecutor Mark Denney.
Wood was in court in an attempt to quash the latest charges.
Wood is also seeking detailed information from the state in claiming that the accusations do not rise to the level of charges.
Prosecutors say MGuiness hired her college-student daughter to a no-show job, gave her 2018 campaign consulting firm an illegal state contract, and intimidated employees who complained. If convicted of all counts, she faces zero to 13 years in prison.
Pushing back the date is an issue because McGuiness has decided to run for re-election, despite facing felony and misdemeanor charges related to her conduct in office.
Carpenter noted that he is dealing with a backlog of trials, including three for murder.
McGuiness has proclaimed her innocence in the case and has resisted calls to take a leave of absence from the elected post.
The Delaware constitution is vague on the issue due in part to a lack of statewide officeholders being charged over the past two centuries.
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