Dr. Jerry Gross and his son, Jason Gross take plea deals in US District Court.

My first memories of Jerry and Bobbie Gross are from a visit they made to the Greenville church in the early 90’s. They came preaching a Word of Faith – Kenneth Hagin type of message. Even then I could tell they were not fully on board with the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) message. Their delivery conveyed their background and that was all about to change.

As we learned later, they cashed in that traveling preacher gig and moved to Spindale. Jerry took up a broom and began “getting to know God” as he swept up constructions sites for Carlson Farmer. If I remember right he talked of how it felt to earn minimum wage. Sweeping up sawdust became a spiritual adventure for him. Do others remember his journey?

Occasionally, he was allowed to speak in front of the congregation. He told stories of humbling himself and learning the ways of God. As the years passed, Jane would help him hear the next step was to reapply to medical school and become recertified as a podiatrist. He had closed his practice in the mid-west years ago.

As the months and years passed, Jerry shared stories of “taking a stand for righteousness” amidst the medical community. He shared stories about Doris. Was that her name? His dry sense of humor was moderated by an occasional redirection or rebuke from the front row of the congregation. Jane.

He eventually passed the needed classes, completed residency and found himself back in Spindale opening a podiatry practice. The exact details and all of the drama scenes, I don’t recall. My experience included taking my children to him to have them fitted with orthotics. Even I had a pair done and still wear them to this day. He took time to see children after church services. For years, I was impressed.

Fast forward to November of 2004: I had a calcium deposit on the top of my right foot which gave me occasional irritation. After an examination, I asked him to remove it. When I arrived for the surgery, I did not have a current insurance card. Two Mile Properties, my employer at the time, had switched insurance providers and the new cards had not arrived yet. Dr. Gross refused to do the surgery. I left the office that day miffed. Okay, I was stirred.

The next month, I experienced a heart attack. Looking back and knowing how the events unfolded, I am very glad he did not do the surgery on my foot. Not only have I heard of others who experienced less than positive results after he performed their foot surgery, but recovery from the heart attack required I start regular exercise. That would have been complicated if my right foot was healing from a surgery.

So, despite my lack of joy when I was refused surgery, things worked out for the best all of the way around.

Gross-Plea-Press-Release (1)

Let’s review a few of the particulars of the information released on Friday. From the press release of May 11, 2018, issued by U.S. District Attorney R. Andrew Murray.

“A criminal bill of information was filed in U.S. District Court in Asheville today, charging Dr. Jerry Gross, 72, and his son, Jason Lee Gross, 51, both of Rutherfordton, N.C., with wire fraud.”

What is a criminal bill of information? (Google search)

A bill of Information is a charging instrument, similar to a indictment. When a person is indicted, a grand jury has determined that there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial. When a person is “charged through a bill of information,” that means no grand jury has found that there is evidence to go forward.

The press release goes on to outline the basic information surrounding the “wire fraud” charge.

What is wire fraud?

18 U.S.C. § 1343 provides: Whoever, having devised or intending to devise any scheme or artifice to defraud, or for obtaining money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, transmits or causes to be transmitted by means of wire, radio, or television communication in interstate or foreign commerce, any writings, signs, signals, pictures, or sounds for the purpose of executing such scheme or artifice, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both. If the violation affects a financial institution, such person shall be fined not more than $1,000,000 or imprisoned not more than 30 years, or both.[3]

From the release:

“…Filed documents show that, from September 2009 to March 2013, Dr. Jerry Gross and Jason Lee Gross carried out a scheme to defraud the State of North Carolina by placing employees of the Foot & Ankle Center on Unemployment Insurance Benefits (“UI Benefits”) while those employees continued to work at the business in excess of what was permitted by the program eligibility requirements. According to court records, the scheme enabled Foot & Ankle Center to survive the economic downturn during those years by creating a free labor force.” (highlight added)

“According to filed court documents, during the relevant time period, Jason Lee Gross laid off, at various times, employees of the Foot & Ankle Center, including himself and Dr. Jerry Gross. Court records show that Jason Lee Gross made UI Benefits claims on behalf of the laid off employees, including himself and his father.”

This was a scheme? The Associated Press released a story last September (here) which led to this investigation. In their story, they reported a former member saying Jane Whaley said the so called scheme was “God’s plan…” Now faithful readers and followers- who is right? How dare the U.S. District Attorney mischaracterize, “demonize” and join the so called “conspiracy” against WOFF.

“Court documents further show that Dr. Jerry Gross also collected considerable UI Benefits himself, despite deliberately turning a blind eye to whether or not he was complying with the eligibility requirements for the program, when in fact he was not complying. Court records show that the scheme caused the State of North Carolina to pay out at least $149,970 in UI Benefits to laid-off Foot & Ankle center employees that did not meet the eligibility requirements.”

Dr. Gross collected money under “God’s plan.” Isn’t that the way it should be? After all when God speaks through Jane- everyone else and the rules of the State of North Carolina mean nothing. I can hear it now; the radio program will have at least one member saying how appalled they are at the U.S. Attorney calling Jane’s revelation a scheme. But, wait there is more.

“The maximum penalty for the wire fraud charge is 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. Signed plea agreements were also filed today. Plea hearings have not been set.”

Signed plea agreements mean that Jerry Gross and Jason Gross admitted their guilt. I have not seen the documents, but in theory why would you plea and maintain you are innocent?

This is the first of several other revelations this year which will be a result of the AP articles from last year. The AP on one hand pointed out the potential crimes. Now, the different State and Federal agencies must spend hundreds of thousands of tax-payer dollars to investigate and either clear up the questions or proceed to obtain indictments.

Friends, this is not just about $150,000. The AP article reported there were six companies involved in “God’s plan” or scheme(s) depending on your view. How many will be indicted? How many will be charged? We don’t know right now. The investigations are ongoing.

How many other versions of “God’s plans” will be found to be schemes, scams and downright illegal? It is hard to say at this point.

I called this group a stain on the State and the country. At a minimum, they are giving Christianity a less than stellar portrayal. If you don’t agree to the “stain” label, can you at least agree they are a “strain and drain on tax-payer dollars.” These investigations are not free. The investigators have spent over a year calling, interviewing, recording, traveling and sifting through many documents to do their job. I can’t say this is the only case they work on and not sure how many agencies have been involved.

The average salary for an employee of the NC SBI is $63,000/yr.

The average salary for employees of the Department of Homeland Security (2016) is $115,792.98.

I am assured this effort to verify and investigate WOFF has been going for at least 15 months. Is it fair to say the entire scope of all of the known State and Federal investigations AND the funds fraudulently obtained could be approaching $1,000,000, if it hasn’t already? Am I too low? This gig is not over yet and I see no one approaching the microphone to sing the final song.

How do we put a price tag on the bruised and injured souls who have made their way to and through the WOFF destruction program? Don’t misunderstand; I am not begrudging the necessary funds to learn the truth. My point is that we can lose the magnitude of the negative impact of WOFF if we just coo and gurgle as a baby at their nice clothes, fine cars and big houses. And oh, the children! They dress so nice. Yes, but at what price? How much is this dangerous group costing the State of North Carolina and the United States in dollars? What is the emotional and physical quality of life for members inside and those who have made their exit? How many family relationships has this group destroyed? My contention is the very fabric of our culture is being damaged the longer they are in the business of schemes, scams or their version of “God’s plans.”

The AP reported the court date for Jerry and Jason Gross is May 25th. If that holds true, I hope it is in the afternoon. That morning, the Wayne Guffey vs. Kerrick Hudson sign theft case is scheduled in Rutherford County. What will be Kerrick’s defense? Was he merely relocating the sign to make it more visible? Was he also showing us “God’s plan” for election monitoring?

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(Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 635.