Tag Archives: Word of Faith Fellowship

WOFF Member: Are you enthusiastic AND resentful?

Can you be enthusiastic- all excited about your belief and approval of all the things WOFF, while also at times, at least inwardly, very negative and screaming to leave? Yes, this condition happens to many members. It is not the “Devil in you” causing this back and forth. Let me use the following text to explain what is happening to you.

Members of groups such as WOFF can be excited and evangelistic about their group one minute and then “… the potential for a sudden reversal of sentiment, for the release of bitter emotions directed both at (the controls used in their group) and the (leaders) that perpetuate it.”  

Has this happened to you or someone close to you? Singing with their whole heart while jumping up and down to “God’s music” one minute, and not long after, scheming to leave as soon as they see a way out?  Yes, it could be evidence of their fine-tuned ability to play along to get along and stay out of trouble. The daily dynamics of WOFF-life require always reading the prevailing winds and moods of the leaders and predicting how to stay low and out of the radar..  

Stop to think about it. Living this way is not a rewarding life. Always suppressing the doubts so they don’t slip out. Is this how you live? Do you harbor contradictory thoughts or feelings about life in WOFF?

Continue reading WOFF Member: Are you enthusiastic AND resentful?

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 pleads guilty- Brooke will not be charged in this case

Kent Covington and Ramona Hall in Asheville

This morning was a cool one in Asheville. I arrived just in time to see Kent Covington and Ramona Hall make their way up the steps and into the U.S. Federal courthouse, Kent in his dark suit and Ramona wearing a dark winter coat. They did not answer questions and there was no skip in their step. They looked solemn. Soon, Kent’s attorney Steve Cash walked up the steps. The plea hearing was on schedule.

Just after 10:00 AM, the bailiff called the room to order. Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer presided over this hearing. He was very deliberate and clear. Kent was asked to stand and be sworn in. He also stood during the reading of certain documents. The hearing included Cayer reading documents, asking Covington questions and recording his answers. The documents in this case included the Factual Basis, we reviewed parts of it in a previous post. A “Certification of the Factual Basis” was reviewed and signed by Covington today.

From the Certification:

“…I, Marion Kent Covington, do hereby state, certify, and stipulate that the Factual Basis (#30) filed in this matter all statements therein are true and accurate and had this matter proceeded to trial, the United States would have been able to prove statements in the Factual Basis beyond a reasonable doubt.”

As predicted, the language in the Factual Basis listing Jane Whaley in the paragraph with “conspirators” goes in the court record and in my opinion makes her an “un-indicted co-conspirator.” My views strengthened as the hearing progressed.

The Plea Agreement was referenced. Included in this Agreement was this text:

“#2 In exchange for defendant’s plea of guilty to Count One, the United States agrees that it will not pursue additional criminal charges against the defendant, or Brooke Covington, based on: (a) any criminal conduct that is relevant to conduct in this case; or (b) any criminal conduct that is otherwise known to the United States as of the date of this Plea Agreement, and that was included within the discovery provided to defense counsel in connection with this case.”
Continue reading Kent Covington pleads guilty- Brooke will not be charged in this case

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

Update: Covington seeking plea deal- McKinny seeks continuance

Updated 10/22/2018 12:25AM-
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Charles McKeller, attorney for Diane McKinny filed a motion October 19th for continuance stating he had 125,000 pages of discovery to review and 30 hours of video. In his Motion, he “has been informed by the US Attorney that more discovery is forthcoming.” The motion leaves the scheduling of the court date up to the Court. A ruling is expected some time before November 7th.
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Documents filed in court October 19th reveal the M. Kent Covington has under counsel been in negotiations with Federal prosecutors to obtain a plea deal. The deadline for the plea deal normally would have been October 19th. The Judge agreed to extend the deadline for the working out the details until October 26th.

Assistant United States District Attorney Daniel Bradley did not oppose the motion.

From the document:

2. Defendant and the Government have agreed in principle, and are currently finalizing plea documents.

3. Defendant anticipates that plea documents will be signed and filed within the week, time being 26 October 2018.

The news is exciting. There are expectations for additional indictments in the next few months. Exact details of the plea deal(s) coming are not known. Along with others, I wait for news and details coming hopefully this week.

This may be the shortest post on this blog. This may also be the most encouraging for ex-members and those who have family still trapped inside the vortex of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF).

What does this last quarter of 2018 hold?

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Continue reading Update: Covington seeking plea deal- McKinny seeks continuance

Charges Dismissed-Safe Exits from WOFF remain a concern

Wednesday, I received confirmation that the second-degree trespassing charges initiated by Jayne Caulder against Wayne Guffey, David Wheeler and I, were set to be dismissed. These charges were filed after events on July31st at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). The video has been viewed over 20,000 times and though I am not providing a link, it can be seen at Rccatalyst.com in an article about the events and dismissal. Also, Daily Courier article.

Rather than trudge through the mire of who said, she said, they did, we did not- I will say the North Carolina Attorney General Special Counsel Adren L. Harris was able to bypass hype and emotion and use sound legal reasoning on which to base the dismissal.

“Although is it evident from the video the Mrs. Caulder repeatedly asks the defendants to leave the Word of Faith Fellowship premises, and they remained while seeking clarification, it would be unreasonable to interpret the word “remain” to include such a brief or temporary interlude that lasted only a few minutes.”
Continue reading Charges Dismissed-Safe Exits from WOFF remain a concern

Irene- “I tried to stay out of trouble…”

reading
Debby Shriver reading for her book

Wednesday, I attended a book signing in Asheville. Debby Shriver, author of “Whispering in the Daylight-The Children of Tony Alamo Ministries and Their Journey to Freedom” read from the book and answered questions. I met Debby several years ago. We share common interests in helping survivors of high-demand religious groups. It was an enjoyable evening as I met her husband and their dog.

In addition to providing the chronological understanding of Tony Alamo and his journey, Debby interviewed the children who were taken by authorities from the group in 2008. She gives them a voice. The insight from them is treasured because it is raw, real and provides understanding of the struggles for those who grow-up in control groups. This aspect of the book is very valuable.

I recommend if you have any connection in any way to a high-demand control group, whether that means you were recruited into one as adult, spent most or all of your childhood in one or have friends or relatives who are caught up in one- this book will help you. Debby interviewed over 300 people for this book. She spent countless hours writing and planning this work. You will realize this once you begin reading.

Today, I share an excerpt from the words of Irene. She was one of the children taken in the raid September 20, 2008. She shares several personal observations of her journey. The following is one I found included what I believe is universal trait for members of high –demand groups.

“When you are under the discipline of a sociopath, there is no such thing as a simple right or wrong answer. There isn’t even an “almost right” answer. If what you say doesn’t line up one hundred percent with what the sociopath wants to hear, then you are just wrong….
Continue reading Irene- “I tried to stay out of trouble…”