Jury selection was scheduled to begin May 26 in the trial of State Auditor Kathy McGuiness, with proceedings set to begin Tuesday, May 31, in New Castle County Superior Court. McGuiness was indicted in 2021 on felony theft, felony intimidation, violating state contract procedures, misconduct and conflict of interest.

McGuiness pleaded not guilty to all accounts. Her attorney Steve Wood has filed several motions over the last few months, including asking Superior Court Judge William Carpenter to dismiss some charges, disallow evidence gathered and request state evidence.

After one motion in which Wood said the state had not given McGuiness enough time to prepare a defense, Judge Carpenter ruled that a trial must be held soon since it has implications on whether McGuiness can run for re-election as state auditor. McGuiness has already filed to run as a Democrat in the 2022 election, despite calls from the top state Democrats and party leaders for her to step down.