The House and Senate Democratic Leadership just put out the weakest statement in the history of Delaware politics. Both call on indicted Auditor Kathy McGuiness to take a leave of absence while under indictment for fraud and abuse of office. The Senate statement is better because they say that she should take leave “at a minimum” implying a future call for resignation if she does not take leave, and also implying that removal proceedings under Article 3, Section 13 are under consideration at least in the Senate.
What is Article 3, Section 13?
§ 13. Removal of officers by Governor; procedure.
Section 13. The Governor may for any reasonable cause remove any officer, except the Lieutenant-Governor and members of the General Assembly, upon the address of two-thirds of all the members elected to each House of the General Assembly. Whenever the General Assembly shall so address the Governor, the cause of removal shall be entered on the journals of each House. The person against whom the General Assembly may be about to proceed shall receive notice thereof, accompanied with the cause alleged for his or her removal, at least ten days before the day on which either House of the General Assembly shall act thereon.
That’s good. The House and Senate should immediately call on the Governor to remove the Auditor.
Democrats need to keep it simple.
The correct and only politically viable option for the Democrats in the General Assembly to pursue is an immediate call for resignation with a deadline, followed by a move towards impeachment and/or removal. That they have chosen not to draw a line in the sand makes it very VERY likely that she will not resign or take leave, and that she will campaign for reelection in 2022 with all of them at all the same events, thus tainting the lot of them with her crimes.
Brilliant strategy, you idiots.
House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst and Majority Whip Larry Mitchell issued the following joint statement:
“The allegations against the state auditor are serious. If she is found guilty of the charges listed in the indictment, it would represent a breach of the public trust that would disqualify her from holding office.
“While the Delaware Constitution specifies several pathways that can lead to the removal of statewide elected officials, speculating on a course of action would be inappropriate at this time. As the Attorney General stated, the investigation is ongoing and we do not wish to complicate, jeopardize or otherwise interfere with the investigatory process or the criminal proceedings that have been initiated. We will closely follow developments in this case and are keeping all constitutional options open and available.
“However, we are concerned that the ongoing investigation and her legal defense will make it increasingly difficult for the auditor to effectively run an agency that is the watchdog of public funds. We believe it would be in the best interests of the auditor, her office and the residents of Delaware that she voluntarily take a leave of absence during these legal proceedings.”
Delaware Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola, Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, and Majority Whip Elizabeth Lockman issued the following statement regarding Delaware Auditor Kathy McGuiness:
“As elected officials, we swear an oath to place the public’s interests ahead of our own.
The Office of the Delaware State Auditor of Accounts plays a paramount role in protecting the public’s interest, safeguarding taxpayer dollars, and ensuring good fiscal stewardship.
For State Auditor Kathy McGuiness to be the subject of a grand jury indictment detailing official misconduct, theft, and witness intimidation is deeply troubling, particularly given her responsibilities. Put simply, those alleged actions, if true, represent a damaging abuse of office – both a criminal offense and a desecration of the oath of office.
While we firmly believe an accused person deserves their day in court, we also believe that the scale of the charges both shatters the public’s confidence in Auditor McGuiness’ ability to serve as a watchdog of government finances and prevents her from meeting the duties and obligations of her office.
Today, we urge Auditor McGuiness to place the public’s interests ahead of her own. At a minimum, she should take a voluntary leave of absence while the Department of Justice’s investigation is ongoing and while the Delaware State Senate considers its own Constitutional obligations in this matter.”
My what bold leadership we are blessed to have here in the Corporate State of The Delaware Way
Usually you’re a little more even keeled than this. I thought this was the other blog for a moment. Chill on the hyperbole. You’re a lawyer you should know there’s due process here. We have no idea what evidence Jennings has and if it’s any good or not. I’m no fan of Kathy mcguinness and she’s definitely unethical and maybe a criminal but the case seems sort of weak and a big so what. I know Jennings likes a show but a whole press conference for that seems like overkill. A lot of theatre but little substance from her and, in classic form, taking credit for others work. In this case Denney.
Anyway I think people should at least see the case and hear the defense before you start making demands for resignation. Just my two cents.
She needs to resign. Whether or not she’s found guilty, she has compromised and lost public trust which is what that office is built on. Also, I wouldn’t call nepotism a big “so what”
I don’t disagree she needs to resign. I just don’t agree that the GA or Governor or anyone like that should be demanding it without due process. These things matter. We have absolutely no idea what the evidence is here and we’re splitting hairs on verbiage anyway. It’s very clear in both statements and especially the Senate one, that’s what they want done.
I’m not going to sit here and defend mcg but the thirst for blood here and celebration and the mocking a 17 year old kid, is pretty gross. I don’t like her either and she’s probably not a good person, but what did she do to deserve this level of glee and nastiness? And if anyone shouldn’t be talking about using taxpayer dollars to pay for campaign activity, it should be kathy jennings.
is this McG’s burner?
Due process is for courts. There is no indication that due process is not happening there. The people of Delaware have every right to expect the Auditor of Accounts office to function and to function without blemish. Taking a leave of absence gives her time to fully indulge in legal due process but let the office run.
Resigning, however, honors the Public Trust that was vital to winning this office in the first place. And it honors the voters who have every entitlement to political leadership that is unencumbered by legal issues that call into question their ability to execute with the full support of the public that elected them and it honors the office that the public trusted you with.
We should not be suckered into the cynical view that honor has no place in politics. It does. And it is up to us to insist on it.