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Diane McKinny pleads “not guilty” – given a $500,000 unsecured bond

Before the initial hearing started on Monday in front of Magistrate Judge Dennis Howell, the court atmosphere was relaxed and filled with conversations between McKinny’s defense attorney, Mack McKeller, and other court participants. Mr. McKeller was obviously known by all of the regular court staff. He gave the court reporter a hug in the friendliest way and received a warm welcome from the Magistrate once everyone was in their place to start the hearing.

The hearing started at 10:13AM. Magistrate Howell led by outlining the order of the proceedings: there would be an initial hearing, a detention hearing and an arraignment. He started by asking Diane several introductory questions meant to establish her ability to hear, read and understand the procedures as each step occurred. He read a list of her rights including not saying anything and a right to jury trial as well as others.

Soon, he was into the reading of the multi-page Indictment which served as a foundation for the other steps taken during this session.
Continue reading Conundrums and Complications… (audio) →

Kent Covington and Diane McKinny indicted on wire fraud conspiracy charges

On Thursday last week, I missed a call from a reporter. Not taking time to listen to the voice mail, a few minutes later, I called them back.

“Have you heard? There were more members indicted today. Kent Covington and Diane McKinny…
“I know them…”
It’s Marion Kent Covington – right? Yes, I replied. Wire fraud involving unemployment benefits…

My mind started racing and my phone started going off with message alerts. My email started filling up. A little later came a call from another reporter asking if I heard. Someone else called asking if for sure Diane McKinny was a WOFF member.

Thus began the next public unveiling of more details of the UI scheme first reported in September of 2017 by the Associated Press. In May of this year, the news was confirmed by the guilty plea of Dr. Jerry Gross and his son, Jason Gross. They plead guilty on May 25th to one count of wire fraud and are waiting for their sentencing. Each was assigned a $200,000 unsecured bond.

Jerry and Jason were charged through a Bill of Information and waived the indictment process- affirming the information presented by the Federal Attorney and pleading guilty without a trial.

Kent Covington and Diane McKinny face a different process. They are facing the indictment and will go through some additional steps. Yes, the recent press release reminds us all that Covington and McKinny are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Continue reading This is not a parking ticket… (audio) →