Tag Archives: Jane Whaley

This is not a 30-minute crime show…

Earlier this week, I found myself regretting that the process of justice moves so slow. It seemed to me the whole investigative process followed by the prosecution phase of the investigation(s) into Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) was taking too long. Then I had to ask myself, “Compared to what?”

Soon, I admitted that my perspective of the length of this process was skewed because of the 30-minute crime shows I have watched over the years. These shows are popular and much of the “forensic” evidence is very interesting. Reruns of these shows feature my favorite narrator- the late Peter Thomas. His voice talent has been a signature feature and fit the show extremely well.

However, in my admiration for the show, I assumed with no basis in reality; that crimes are solved quickly. This is simply not true. What was lost in many of the shows is the fact several of these episodes span many years, if not decades. Not every criminal is caught. Not every criminal receives justice to fit the crime. Some of the accused plead out to avoid the embarrassment of a public trial and get shorter sentences. The fact that these crime shows are 30 minutes with commercials has nothing to do with the difficulty of solving the crime.
Continue reading This is not a 30-minute crime show…

Kent Covington to plead guilty- Jane Whaley named in court document

Monday, I heard a report on the radio that Governor Cooper named Mac McKeller to a judgeship. My ears perked up as McKeller was the court appointed attorney for Diane McKinny. Earlier this year, Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) member, Diane McKinny was indicted on Federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Marion Kent Covington was named alongside McKinny in the scheme which obtained several thousand dollars from filing fraudulent unemployment claims for several companies where most employees were WOFF members.

Recently filed court documents have McKeller asking for a continuance and a withdrawal from representing McKinny. Diane McKinny’s court date has been moved to January 7, 2019, 9:00AM in Courtroom 1 at the US Federal Courthouse in Asheville.

In other court documents filed in the case against Marion Kent Covington for the same charges, Attorney Stephen Cash requested and was granted an extension of time to work out details of a plea agreement. The new deadline was October 26th. In documents filed today, the “Factual Basis” outlined several important aspects of the case.

First, the document was not meant to give all the facts known about this case.

“This Factual Basis is filed pursuant to Local Criminal Rule 11.2 and does not attempt to set forth all the facts known to the United States at this time. By their signatures below, the parties expressly agree that there is a factual basis for the guilty plea that the defendant will tender pursuant to the Plea Agreement, and that the facts set forth in the Factual Basis are significant to establish all of elements of the crime. The parties agree not to object to or otherwise contradict the facts set forth in the Factual Basis.”

This paragraph leaves open for additional actions which the Government may take involving this scheme. The next few paragraphs outline the scheme in brief and then leads into a detailed breakdown of how the unemployment programs worked during the years in question. The reporting requirements were detailed. Maneuvering around these requirements took forethought.

Starting in paragraph #23- the document outlines the steps taken by Covington and McKinny to manipulate the required reporting and the employees involved. The crisis in the national economy was put forth as a reason for the scheme. The explanation makes it clear not every employee at the companies involved were used in the fraud scheme. The details of the scheme for Diverse Corporate Technologies, Inc (DCT) go through paragraph #31.

This document mentions other companies involved in this scheme besides DCT. These companies include Foot and Ankle Center of the Carolinas, P.A.- Dr. Jerry Gross. (he pleaded guilty), Carolina Outdoor Design owned by James “Randy” Fields, Integrity Marble and Granite, (IMG)- owned by Covington and Sky Catcher Communication, Inc- a business managed in part by Covington. The document makes it clear the other owner of Sky Catcher was not involved in the scheme.

As the progression of the scheme unfolds, paragraph #32 holds some revealing language. Directly from the Factual Basis:

“After successfully implementing the scheme at DCT, COVINGTON and MCKINNY, along with others, such as the leader of their church community, Jane WHALEY, promoted variations of the scheme to other businesses, including other businesses owned or managed by COVINGTON. These conspirators promoted the scheme as a way for community businesses to weather the financial downturn.”
Continue reading Kent Covington to plead guilty- Jane Whaley named in court document

Chad Cooper Files Complaint against WOFF and named leadership for Alienation of Affection

A “Complaint and Petition for Relief for Alienation of Affection” was filed May 15, 2018 in Rutherford County District Court, by Chad W. Cooper. This Complaint outlines various claims against the defendants: Jayne Caulder, David Caulder, Jane Whaley and Sam Whaley, Brooke and Kent Covington, Amy Mattos and the Word of Faith Fellowship (Inc.) (WOFF). The claims include accusations against the defendants that they “willfully, actively, wrongfully and intentionally interfered with the marital relationship” of Chad Cooper and Lauren (Caulder) Cooper.

The file number is -18 CVD 579. All of the defendants having been served, the deadline for answering this Complaint has been moved to July 24th. There has also been a motion filed by Josh Farmer representing WOFF seeking to move the case to Superior Court in light of the requested sum total of “monetary relief in excess of $4,000,000.”

What is “alienation of affection?”
Continue reading Chad Cooper Files Complaint against WOFF and named leadership for Alienation of Affection

Anderson vs. Anderson – First Day in Court (audio)

After long delays for one reason or another, the Anderson vs. Anderson custody case began this morning in front of the Honorable Judge Thomas McAvoy “Mack” Brittain, Jr. in courtroom 3 of the Rutherford County courthouse. There was a full day of testimonies from several folks. For this post, I will summarize a few key points and expound on them in the mp3 file included. I am not promising this format from here on out, but I am hoping it will be quicker and a better use of my time. Not sure you would call this an official podcast, but I will do my best to edit the audio to make it pleasant to listen to while including much more information than if I wrote out today’s adventures.

Here is a short recap of a few of the vital issues on the table. Plaintiff Nicholas Anderson filed action against Sarah Anderson after she left the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) February 26, 2016. The son, Aden Brock Anderson first left with Sarah and on a subsequent weekend of agreed visitation for Nick, he did not return the child as promised. March 7, 2016, he filed for divorce and child custody. He first listed he desire for primary care and custody, but also listed a shared custody option.

March 16, 2016; Judge Laura Powell signed a Memorandum of Judgment outlining joint custody and the parameters. Included in this order was the following:

“e. Neither party shall subject the child or allow anyone else to subject the child to abuse, including yelling, shaking, striking or any form of physical abuse.”

I was in the court room that day and felt this was a victory for Sarah. Not a guarantee it would never happen, just open acknowledgment that the Judge was aware it could happen and may have previously. Unfortunately, Judge Powell recused herself February 28, 2017 the day after the first article from the Associated Press outlining allegations of abuse from ex-members.

April 4, 2016- Sarah filed an Answer to Nick’s Compliant. She stated in her motion after telling Nick her intention to not return to WOFF and not allowing their son to return; she was denied access to the marital home “if she would not submit herself to church scrutiny and discipline.”

Also, in this document, under the “Child Custody” section:

“34. That the Defendant has maintained the primary care of the minor child through the date of the separation when the Defendant voiced concerned about the safety of the infant child being subjected to secretive church practices of physical mistreatment in which the Plaintiff was unwilling to intervene and provide protection for the minor child.”

These two points and more were the basis for much of the testimony today. Nick’s attorney, Alan LeCroy from Morganton has a previous commitment on Wednesday. Court is set to resume Thursday morning at 9:00AM.

Hope you enjoy the audio file.

Please, let me know your feedback.
Continue reading Anderson vs. Anderson – First Day in Court (audio)

Cause or Conspiracy?

The Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) radio program Monday morning included Karel Reynolds, Justin Davies and Christian Whitbeck. The purpose of the show was to retell the content from the Community Forum held this past Saturday afternoon at the Spindale House. There were some common themes which emerged at the characterization of the content from Saturday. Justin and Christian were “appalled.” They were shocked at the “hate speech” used by ex-member survivors of WOFF. They said the language used would incite hate towards them and they felt unsafe going out in the community with their children. Karel wrapped it all up in a few statements calling the ex-members as ones leading a “conspiracy to shut the doors of our church.”

Listening to them go on about their shock and bewilderment was at first hard to grasp. Then I remembered that in their world, all things fit and the rationalization to “call things that are not as though they were…” allows them to survive. I have written about it here before. There are facts and there is truth inside of WOFF. Facts are superseded by the Truth that Jane hears from God about a situation. If you see a fact- one person pushed another during deliverance, and then you question Jane about it, she could very well spin the deed as “love.” “Doing whatever it takes to keep that person in the will of God.” (i.e. – a member of WOFF)

Karel defined conspiracy as “telling lies, distorting the truth and then demonizing people to make them look like something they are not, attacking people, attacking individuals of an organization to demonize them and thirdly-they create an “us and them” within the community. And that has been the attempt of this group- to create an “us and them” against the WOFF.” Continue reading Cause or Conspiracy?

The Bigger Story – Jane Whaley Exposed

Yes, it is sad that Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) member, Kerrick Hudson, married father of two, would see fit to steal an election sign for a candidate he obviously did not support. At least that is what he is accused of after charges were filed on Thursday. Candidate for Sheriff, Wayne Guffey having some signs go missing, set a sign near a “deer camera” in hopes of catching the thief. The images of an individual getting out of a car apparently to pick-up the sign spread like wildfire once it was posted on a social media site and consequently reported by Rccatalyst.com.

Late this afternoon, I received a call telling me about the unfolding events. Though I saw the headline earlier on the Rccatalyst.com site, I had not viewed the picture. Soon, the article was posted outlining the events which surrounded the charges being filed against Mr. Hudson. WoFF Member Charged… (see article here) The criminal charges were removal of a campaign sign and the court date is April 13, 2018. No time was given for the session. The activity was listed as a Class 1 misdemeanor. This level of offense carries a maximum term of 120 days in jail and a discretionary fine. This is a serious charge for one aspiring to enter or has already entered in a licensed profession. Continue reading The Bigger Story – Jane Whaley Exposed

What is in the 16 seconds cut from the WOFF radio program?

Late Monday evening, a former member brought it to my attention that the WCAB 590 AM version of the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) Speaks Out program and the version for that day listed on the WOFF website were different. Sandra Norris’ reference to the Matthew Fenner case was deleted from the WOFF version. I thanked this person and began looking for myself. Sure enough, if you open two browser sessions and turn on closed captions and turn off the volume, you will be able to notice the edit. It is a pretty good edit. In times past, WOFF edits in their videos were more obvious.

So, I double checked the length of the WOFF version and the WCAB version– well, what do you know? The WOFF version is about 16 seconds shorter. What could they be hiding as they “give truth” about what Jim Bishop of WCAB characterizes as the “nasty” reports in the media? So, I used a split screen and allowed the two different versions to play alternately until I found the edit.

In the WCAB version, when the on screen timer shows 1:47.44, you hear Sandra Norris say this: “… responsible before God and I have seen I you know even another court case that was going on with the Fenner case, I was there, I know truth. I’m just appalled because my students can tell you Revelation 21:8, there will be no liars in heaven. And I all I want to do is be a blessing to people…” The timer shows 1:48.00 as she says this. Continue reading What is in the 16 seconds cut from the WOFF radio program?