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.

As far as I know, the investigation(s) into WOFF are ongoing. We are in a process in which the length is not known. This investigation is multi-faceted and involves several levels and types of possible crimes. I create unneeded anxiousness by not taking the long view about this process.

Friends, the twists and turns which this extended path include will certainly surprise many of us. We shouldn’t expect the investigators to rush to conclusions which are hollow and not able to withstand the scrutiny of intense examination and a possible trial for the accused. It does no good to expect accurate conclusions without due process.

With my adjusted focus and tempered expectations, I continue to hope for an expeditious outcome. However, more importantly, I want the investigators to obtain the accurate information needed to bring to light each practice of this group which reflects a willful disregard for the laws of our country.

In Kent Covington’s recent guilty plea deal, he admitted to “willfully” participating in the scheme to obtain funds by filing false information. It took at least three years for this process of the Associate Press interviewing ex-members, vetting their information, allowing their attorneys to review it and then printing it. Next, the Federal Government began their process. This successful time line took much longer than 30 minutes to play out and come to this point.

My personal hopes in the ongoing investigation(s) are renewed. This past Tuesday, watching Kent Covington respectfully admit he was guilty of Count one in the Bill of Indictment helped me to hang on and gave me greater hope for 2019. How about you? Do you agree that progress has been made?

Allow me to recap a few of the changes.

February 27, 2017- the AP released their first article telling stories of “ungodly” abuse.

March 2017-

WOFF members, Frank Webster and Chris Back lose their Assistant District Attorney positions when AP articles citing ex-members accounts, accused them both of coaching and advising WOFF members how to answer investigators probing church practices.

Lori Cornelius steps away from her position in Cleveland County DSS as a result of the same AP article which says she participated in the same meetings to coach members facing investigations.

Investigations launched by Federal and State authorities in several areas of concern surrounding WOFF practices.

April 2018

Second Community Forum held for ex-members of WOFF. They tell stories of abuse and frustration.

September 2017

AP releases articles outlining unemployment scheme promoted by a few WOFF church members inside church-member owned companies which employed mostly church members.

Calls increased for review of the Compromised Settlement from June 2005 in which the Rutherford County Department of Social Services were bound by added procedures before expeditiously investigating claims of abuse inside WOFF.

November 2017

NC DHHS offers a new procedure to handle abuse claims involving WOFF-children, which if followed, will restore levels of protection previously abandoned.

May 2018

Dr. Jerry Gross and his son, Jason Gross pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges and are awaiting sentencing.

June 2018

WOFF Minister, Kent Covington pleaded not guilty to wire fraud charges related to the same scheme for which Dr. Jerry Gross and Jason Gross pleaded guilty.

Diane McKinny, WOFF member and bookkeeper for Covington also pleaded not guilty to same charges.

October 2018

Kent Covington changed his plea to guilty and being awarded a plea deal which protects his wife, Brooke from charges in the case. Jane Whaley named in court documents.

Diane McKinny is assigned a new public defender and her next court date is moved to January 7, 2019.

November 2018

A&E network set to launch a six-part series titled, “The Devil Next Door.”

Premiering Tuesday, November 27, the Devil Next Door takes a look at Spindale, North Carolina. It appears to be an average American town but hidden inside lies a church that is steeped in scandal. The Word of Faith Fellowship, led by Jane Whaley, proclaims to be a devout Christian church, but former members tell a different story: one of violence and exploitation. It’s the mission of these former members to convince those still inside, including their own loved ones and children, to break away from the Church. Is Jane’s power finally about to come to an end?

Many things have happened surrounding WOFF which were inconceivable a few years ago. The long view is positive. Do you agree?

Follow here:

Twitter – @religiouscults

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/johnhuddleauthor

YouTube- religiouscultsinfo.com

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.

Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.

Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be.

Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted.

(Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 648.

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.”

Several questions arise from this paragraph. Why would Brooke need an exclusion if there was not some possibility that she may be connected to this crime? What was the scope of the evidence turned over in the “125,000 pages and 30 hours of videos”? Does this plea in Federal court prohibit the State of North Carolina from pursuing both Covingtons in order to recover their losses? Will there be more indictments surrounding this “scheme”? How does Diane McKinny’s new attorney battle the perception of guilt for his client when three other “conspirators” have pleaded guilty? Was she a pawn or willing accomplice?

In the Plea-

VI. Assistance to United States:

“22. If requested by the United States, but only if requested, the defendant agrees to cooperate with the United States, including but not limited to the following:

a. The defendant will provide truthful information about subject charges and about any other criminal activity within the defendant’s knowledge to any United States agent or agency that the United States designates.

b. The defendant will testify truthfully in any trial, hearing, or grand jury proceeding. The testimony includes, but is not limited to, testimony against any co-defendants, as the United States designates.”

If the U.S. brings additional indictments in this case and one of them is against Jane Whaley, Kent will have to testify truthfully or risk losing his plea arrangement. His testimony will be compared to others who have already named Jane as a “promoter.” This conundrum is rich, and the consequences could be devastating to some folks. Not sure it will ever come to this but, it could.

The Magistrate read through another document which included very specific questions meant to leave no doubt that Kent was fully aware of the consequences of his guilty plea. I will take a few excerpts which raise some interesting points. The elements of the law(s) broken were reviewed.

“RULE 11 Inquiry and Order of Acceptance of Plea

18 U.S.C. ss 1349

Any person who commits or conspires to commit any offense under this chapter shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense, the commission of which was the object of the attempt or conspiracy.

Elements

1. That during the time alleged in the bill of indictment, that you did knowingly combine, conspire, confederate and agree with others to commit wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. ss 1343, 1349;

2. The wire fraud affected at least one financial institution as defined by 18 U.S.C. ss 20;

3. That you willingly became a member of such conspiracy;

4. That one or more of the conspirators, during the existence of the conspiracy, knowingly committed at least one of the acts in the bill of indictment; and

5. That you did such an act or acts willingly, knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully.

These words cast a heavy solemn feeling over the whole charade. Kent signed this document admitting he knowingly broke the law. He is saying he was a member of an orchestrated scheme and conspiracy giving forethought to thier actions. He signed this document with full understanding and of his own free will.

In my opinion, this admission goes deeper than what many may have first believed. This drama is not over. I see more being named. We know Diane’s defense took a set-back with Kent signing this document. Her attorney has an uphill battle for sure. January 2019 is just around the corner.

Friends, after today, I feel a deep sadness not only for the members of WOFF who serve faithfully for years exhibiting loyalty which goes in many cases to their personal hurt. Also, I see the consequences for certain ones in WOFF leadership slowly being revealed and the choices to follow Jane setting them on a course of pain and loss. There are dark days ahead for WOFF members and supporters. We are just now able to see a glimpse of what is in store for them.

Kent will be sentenced in a separate hearing.

Let justice be served.

Follow here:

Twitter – @religiouscults

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/johnhuddleauthor

YouTube- religiouscultsinfo.com

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.

Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.

Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be.

Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted.

(Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 647.

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.”

#33 tells about the Foot and Ankle Center’s involvement in the scheme.

#34- “The third business to implement a variation of the scheme was Carolina Outdoor Design, owned by James Randall FIELDS. FIELDS went to WHALEY, the leader of the church community, for guidance on how to steer his business through the economic downturn, and WHALEY advised FIELDS to speak about the matter to COVINGTON. FIELDS did speak to COVINGTON…”

These two paragraphs lead me to believe that Jane Whaley is named among the “conspirators.” Am I reading this correctly? Tell me if I am reading this wrong. In the long run, it does not matter what I think. It matters what the U. S. Attorney, R. Andrew Murray and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel V. Bradley think about Jane’s role in the scheme. They are charged with protecting the interests and upholding the laws of this country.

From the resource document,

“#40 COVINGTON therefore admits to being guilty of the offense charged in Count One of the Bill of Indictment.”

Details of the plea agreement were not disclosed. The next hearing on this case will be October 30, 2018 at 10:00AM in Courtroom 2.

These developments raise a lot of questions. Here are a few of mine. How hard was it for Kent to admit guilt and sign a document naming Jane as being involved? What convinced him to go from “not guilty” to oh, yes, I did it? Who will be next in this unfolding drama? Will a money judgment be granted and executed against property owned by Covington? Will any of the Defendents serve any prison time or will they be allowed to continue to freely practice their religion under the “leader of the church community”? Who will be present on Tuesday to support Covington? Will McKinny be allowed to change her plea if new counsel advises her to do so?

Here is what we know so far:

Dr. Jerry Gross pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection to this scheme. Awaiting sentencing…

Jason Gross pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with this scheme. Awaiting sentencing…

Marion Kent Covington pleaded not guilty to charges in connection with this scheme. Documents filed today indicate Covington will now plead guilty to one count of wire fraud, possibly as early as this coming Tuesday.

Diane M. McKinny will be assigned another court appointed attorney after pleading not guilty. Her next court date is January 7, 2019.

For the first time that I am aware of, court documents explain Jane Whaley’s involvement in the scheme followed by the sentence, “These conspirators promoted the scheme as a way for community businesses to weather the financial downturn.”

This drama is far from over.

Follow here:

Twitter – @religiouscults

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/johnhuddleauthor

YouTube- religiouscultsinfo.com

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.

Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.

Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be.

Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted.

(Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 646.

(key points in the video- Attorney Cash explains the not guilty plea. He has NOT seen the evidence obtained by the US prosecutors and he cannot say if he will ask for a continuance past the September 4th court date until he sees the evidence)

This morning in the U.S. District courthouse in Asheville, Marion Kent Covington through his attorney plead not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud outlined in the Bill of Indictment read to him minutes earlier. Last week, his accused co-conspirator, Diane McKinny, plead not guilty to the same charges. Both cases are set for the September 4th docket. It is unclear at this time which case may be heard first. Judge Martin Reidinger is the scheduled to preside over that session.

Kent entered the courthouse at the earliest possible moment standing with the jurors at the door until it opened. Ramona Hall was Kent’s driver and escort for this hearing. She did the same last Monday for Diane McKinny. Brooke Covington was NOT present. My theory is she is seeking to avoid media exposure at all cost.

As I stood outside the courtroom with other media representatives waiting for it to be unlocked, it occurred to me that this could be a scene repeated several more times this year. Three of the five businesses alluded to in the Bill of Indictment have been mentioned and/or processed into the courts. The question among the media representatives was which other two businesses will be named and their owners indicted. Will it be only two more? I have my ideas which I may share later.

Sitting in my normal spot on the bench, I saw Kent’s face as he reacted to the number of people already seated in the courtroom. He was visibly shocked. He uttered a phrase I could not make out.

The hearing began just before 9:00AM. Kent was read his rights and the Magistrate Howell began reading the Bill of Indictment. Again, he was very articulate and considerate of making sure Kent understood each part. The last part of the Indictment included a forfeiture money judgment sought by the United States for $309,600.

After the initial hearing, Magistrate Howell moved into the detention hearing. The attorney for the US did not seek to detain Covington and thus asked for a $500,000 unsecured bond as well as similar restrictions as were imposed on Jerry Gross, Jason Gross and Diane McKinny. This time there was a stern admonition to not talk to Diane about the case and if she tried to talk to him, Kent is required to report this to his probation officer. Violation of any of the many restrictions could result in a contempt of court charge along with a warrant for arrest being issued.

Interesting to note, Kent will also be allowed to travel to South Carolina. His home(s), vehicles, cell phone and any computer or storage device for data will be subject to search without obtaining a separate warrant.

My personal observations of Kent’s answers to the questions from Magistrate Howell were that the replies were weak and his voice sounded as if he had been praying loudly for hours. He displayed no alpha male strength or confidence. He appeared taken aback by the scene playing out before him as if he were viewing a bad movie or even a nightmare. I might be reading too much into his demeanor, but let’s admit these are some pretty serious charges and he faces prison time and a hefty fine in addition to the money judgment.

During the arraignment hearing, through his attorney, Kent plead not guilty. The entire process ended by 9:34AM. After the hearing, Kent’s attorney Steve Cash answered a few questions on the courthouse steps. He had not seen the evidence against Covington yet, and could not say if the scheduled court date of September 4th would be pushed back.

The summer of indictments moves on. Who is next? We will need to wait and see. My thoughts are this is not over.

Follow this blog on Twitter- @religiouscults
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/johnhuddleauthor
YouTube- religiouscultsinfo.com

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.

Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.

Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be.

Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted.

(Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 639.