When you have a winning strategy- why change? Today, at the U.S. Federal District Courthouse in Courtroom 1, Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) members packed the gallery in support of another member facing a felony charge and a possible prison term. Diane McKinny was scheduled for sentencing resulting from a guilty plea to one count of making a False Statement. She was the fourth member charged in a scheme to defraud State and Federal coffers related to unemployment benefits.

The three others, who likewise pleaded guilty, include Dr. Jerry Gross, his son, Jason Gross and Marion Kent Covington. The Grosses each received probation sentences and Covington was awarded a 34 month term in Federal prison, which he began serving earlier this year.

My plan was to arrive early enough to not be denied a seat as I expected a gallery of supporters. I approached the courtroom doors about 45 minutes before the 3:15PM start time, only to find WOFF members waiting in the hall. They were waiting until Diane’s case was called. I went in to pick my seat and listen.

Sure enough, just as the 2:45PM case concluded, the courtroom doors parted and the sea of members flooded in, soon settling on both sides of the gallery. U.S. Attorney Bradley sitting at his table, turned around to witness the flood. His expression of awe was not to be missed.

The seat next to me was no one’s first choice. Finally, Brent Cordes sat down with his pleasant smile. At that moment, he was polite and even respectful; no different from times past when we have encountered each other in courtrooms.

As in previous hearings, Judge Martin Reidinger began with his disclosure of his contact with WOFF. He had a member (Hannah Davies) intern with him, attended the Holocaust Museum- sponsored by WOFF and spoke at two meetings hosted by WOFF member, Karel Reynolds; one at Isothermal Community College and another one at Cleveland Community College. (I attended the CCC meeting.) He did not mention Hannah or Karel by name, but he said he recognized the name of someone who wrote a character letter for Ms. McKinny as being the person who asked him to speak at the meetings. I read Karel’s letter and knew to whom he referenced.

Why not mention names of WOFF connections? I don’t remember him mentioning if WOFF gave him any gifts or an honorarium for speaking. They are known for being generous to people of influence. The Judge asked each attorney if they had questions or were fine with him continuing. No disagreement was expressed.

Looking back, his revelations seemed too restrained and had a different feel from previous disclosures. Had he already decided on McKinny’s sentence at that point?

The hearing proceeded with a recap of how we got here. Judge Reidinger asked McKinny and her attorney basic questions about the previous hearing where she entered a guilty plea to making a False Statement. As in the previous hearing, Diane answered “yes” with confidence.

Judge, “Did you in fact commit the crime in which you are charged?”

“Yes” came the clear answer.

I was seated behind Diane looking over her shoulder straight into the Judge’s face while he questioned her. Reidinger exhibited a gentle and deliberate manner when addressing Diane.

Once all parties were in agreement to the offense and the guilty plea; next came the sentencing guidelines- a level 15, category 1- no prior record, which suggested a range of 18-24 months. All agreed.

Judge Reidinger then gave defense attorney Tyndall an opportunity to summarize his Sentencing Memorandum. Tyndall went over several points including his belief that McKinny had no ability to make decisions to direct who was “laid –off” and for how long. She had no supervisory duties but was one who followed what she was told to do. He said she did not benefit financially from the scheme.

As a comparison, Kent Covington ran the scheme and benfited from the funds coming from the scheme.

Tyndall then made a point that Judge Reidinger would later repeat: there was a definite power differentiation between Covington and McKinny.

[Indeed, the US Attorney, in earlier court documents, mentioned Covington using his influence within the community to cause others to submit and go along with the scheme.]

Tyndall continued on stressing his client’s age and medical conditions as well as her limited financial resources. He made the case for home detention, which in his mind would fit the crime. I noticed the longer he talked, the less confident he sounded as he took on a low-key pleading tone.

Next, U.S. Attorney Bradley was allowed to summarize his position. He went on to point out McKinny’s role in filing the claims and showing others how to do so. True she had no extra monetary gain, but she kept her job. He said her role caused hardship on others who were forced to comply with the scheme.

Judge Reidinger expressed his confusion as to why Jason Gross’ role was less than Diane’s role in the scheme. Clearly, Jason had supervisory powers –though over a smaller group of employees. This reference was to point out that the Judge had given Jason a three year probation sentence.

When given an opportunity, Diane chose to not address the court.

Next, Judge Reidinger was preparing to issue his sentence. He paused and appeared to be struggling with internal conflictions. It was not more than 2 or 3 minutes- but it seemed longer. He requested for McKinny to stand.

Judge Martin Reidinger pronounced a sentence of three years probation with 10 months of home detention. He went on to say the sentence for the Grosses was similar, but arrived at from a different perspective.

In his remarks, he made note that the labor costs of the companies involved were purchased with stolen money. Kent benefited from these stolen funds. Diane did participate, but not with an extra gain. Diane is to participate in the restitution of $446,960- along with the others convicted in this scheme.

He looked into Diane’s face and said he believed she was susceptible to follow along with the decisions of others. He noted she did not appear like she would stand up to others. “(McKinny) is vulnerable to others…”

The crime she pleaded to was a serious offense which has a corrosive effect on Government. The Judge pointed out that McKinny would still have a felony record, but he did not expect to see her in his courtroom again, as he smiled.

I admit after he pronounced the sentence, my note taking became interspersed with my own thoughts. Judge Reidinger had just described the better part of the WOFF gallery participants. He looked at Diane as a pure follower- with no discernment and in need of mental health measures. If he knew his description of Diane fit most of the long-time adult members of WOFF, would he be shocked? His sentence and the accompanying justification, does not strike me as a win for WOFF.

Judge Reidinger took pity on McKinny. He saw she was “susceptible.” In WOFF getting their prayers answered for no prison time, do they in turn, sweep the righteous judgement of Judge Reidinger under the carpet and deny their ranks are full of similar “followers”?

If as a true follower, Diane broke the law; what could other true followers be coerced to do? Do we really know?

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Thank you, for taking time to visit and read this blog. Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. The author is not a licensed mental health professional and encourages those that need professional help to seek it. The intent of the material is to inform and be a resource. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. There are readers at WOFF. Jane told me and Josh confirmed it.

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Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted.(Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation) This is post number 669.