Sky Catcher Communications – Religious Cults Info ~ Resources, Answers and Hope

Conundrums and Complications… (audio)

Admin — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 22:12:17 +0000

Diane McKinny pleads “not guilty” – given a $500,000 unsecured bond

Before the initial hearing started on Monday in front of Magistrate Judge Dennis Howell, the court atmosphere was relaxed and filled with conversations between McKinny’s defense attorney, Mack McKeller, and other court participants. Mr. McKeller was obviously known by all of the regular court staff. He gave the court reporter a hug in the friendliest way and received a warm welcome from the Magistrate once everyone was in their place to start the hearing.

The hearing started at 10:13AM. Magistrate Howell led by outlining the order of the proceedings: there would be an initial hearing, a detention hearing and an arraignment. He started by asking Diane several introductory questions meant to establish her ability to hear, read and understand the procedures as each step occurred. He read a list of her rights including not saying anything and a right to jury trial as well as others.

Soon, he was into the reading of the multi-page Indictment which served as a foundation for the other steps taken during this session.

As with Jerry Gross and Jason Gross, Magistrate Howell took extreme care and consideration to ask questions meant to secure Diane’s agreement that she understood the process unfolding. He read each word of the indictment which took a while. He was very engaged. I provided a copy of the Indictment in my last post and will not go over all of it here. Not mentioned in my last post was the forfeiture judgment sought for $309,660. This amount represents the sum of benefits believed by the investigators which was acquired by fraudulent means.

As procedure, the Magistrate advised Diane she had three choices for representation. She could represent herself. She could hire an attorney or she could apply for indigent status and after a review of a sworn and signed financial affidavit, she could be granted a court appointed attorney. She chose to complete the financial forms and ask for a court appointed attorney- in this case it was Mr. McKeller.

The list of the requirements of the pre-trial release conditions were read by Magistrate Howell. Right away, complications began to surface. Diane McKinny is (still) employed as the “bookkeeper” for Kent Covington. During the time in question, she worked in those duties for three companies owned or managed by Marion “Kent” Covington- Diverse Corporate Technologies (DCT), Integrity Marble, Inc. d/b/a Integrity Marble and Granite and during the time in questions, Sky Catcher Communications, Inc. These were the companies listed in the indictment.

Her continued employment for Kent posed a problem in that a few of the affected DCT employees from the time period in question remain employed today. Discussions began to resolve this issue since McKinny is not allowed to talk to anyone who could be called as a witness in this case or possibly in other related cases. The Magistrate again, as in the Gross hearings, expressed the requirement for McKinny to strictly adhere to this condition. He warned her that if it is discovered that she talked with Kent, present employees or anyone else who is a witness in this case, except for her attorney and the investigators, her bond would be revoked, a warrant for contempt of court issued for her arrest and she could be sent to jail and possibly fined.

A major conundrum was discussed in that McKinny is still a part of the “church community” (Word of Faith Fellowship) of which many members are subject to several ongoing investigations. The Magistrate stopped short of telling Diane she could not go to work or go to church, but he emphasized again that she is forbidden to discuss this case except with her attorney or investigators.

The list of limitations on Diane in many regards mirrored those put upon the Grosses. These include but are not limited to restricted travel to the District of Western North Carolina and the District of South Carolina, giving up her passport and not apply for a new one, no firearms, no violations of the law including reporting if she gets speeding ticket, no consumption of alcohol, no doing drugs or hanging out with those that do, agreeing to random drug testing, agreeing to submit a DNA sample if requested.

Additionally, her home, car, cell phone, any computer she has access to – all are subject to random searches. Also, she was to meet with a probation officer to discuss other limitations and requirements.

The major conundrum which surfaced with the Grosses and with Diane was how to limit the contact with those who may be witnesses in this case. Next Monday, this same complication will be discussed. A possible solution would be for their counsel to advise them that until the trial is over and the outcome known- listen to the services/sermons from home. Not as discipline, but as a precaution to keep them free from compromising conversations.

Kent’s indictment includes the allegation he used his authority within the church community to coerce compliance to the illegal scheme. Will it be prudent to advise Kent to take his church involvement over the phone?

During the arraignment hearing, McKinny plead not guilty and was issued a $500,000 unsecured bond. The court date was set for September 4th, 9:00AM courtroom 1. An “open file policy” on behalf of the U.S. Attorney was confirmed. This may speed up the defense’s access to the evidence or discovery held by the prosecution.

By 10:54Am, the hearing was complete. Diane had a couple of other meetings. Her attorney presented me and the other media with his card and said, No time to talk now, send me an email and I will answer questions as I can… “We will present a vigorous defense.”

Monday was a beautiful, hot and humid day in the mountains of Western North Carolina. In many ways, this day in U.S. District court served as a warm-up for next Monday. Kent Covington is cast as instigator and developer of this illegal scheme along with McKinny. For those familiar with both parties, who do you think took the lead in birthing the “scheme?”

One has to wonder if either of them will turn on the other as the main promoter or driving force behind these alleged crimes. Once each of their attorneys views the discovery and evidence against their client, will they strategize to reflect the guilt on the other defendant? Or will a new person be named as the master of the plan of fraud?

Adding to the complicated dynamics of the “church community” is Kent’s marriage to Brooke – who is known as top tier leadership within WOFF. Will these factors complicate things even more?

With the trial for McKinny set for September in front of Judge Martin Reidinger, one wonders who might be indicted in July. Appears there will be more fireworks in the days to come.

I believe the conundrums and complications will continue to multiply as more individuals are indicted. Members and business owners will decide if their loyalty to WOFF is worth the risk of jail time. Has it come to this? Yes, it has. The cost of being a faithful WOFF member is higher than many expected. Agree?

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 638.

Related posts:

WOFF Minister-Kent Covington pleads not guilty to Federal charges On the courthouse steps, Covington’s attorney answers questions… (key points...

Kent Covington to plead guilty- Jane Whaley named in court document Monday, I heard a report on the radio that Governor...

This is not a parking ticket… (audio) Kent Covington and Diane McKinny indicted on wire fraud conspiracy...

This is not a parking ticket… (audio)

Admin — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 22:46:43 +0000

Kent Covington and Diane McKinny indicted on wire fraud conspiracy charges

On Thursday last week, I missed a call from a reporter. Not taking time to listen to the voice mail, a few minutes later, I called them back.

“Have you heard? There were more members indicted today. Kent Covington and Diane McKinny…
“I know them…”
It’s Marion Kent Covington – right? Yes, I replied. Wire fraud involving unemployment benefits…

My mind started racing and my phone started going off with message alerts. My email started filling up. A little later came a call from another reporter asking if I heard. Someone else called asking if for sure Diane McKinny was a WOFF member.

Thus began the next public unveiling of more details of the UI scheme first reported in September of 2017 by the Associated Press. In May of this year, the news was confirmed by the guilty plea of Dr. Jerry Gross and his son, Jason Gross. They plead guilty on May 25th to one count of wire fraud and are waiting for their sentencing. Each was assigned a $200,000 unsecured bond.

Jerry and Jason were charged through a Bill of Information and waived the indictment process- affirming the information presented by the Federal Attorney and pleading guilty without a trial.

Kent Covington and Diane McKinny face a different process. They are facing the indictment and will go through some additional steps. Yes, the recent press release reminds us all that Covington and McKinny are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Unless things change as the process goes forward, these two defendants appear to be headed for a highly visible and widely publicized trial. We thought the State vs. Brooke Covington trial was media frenzy, this will be bigger as these charges carry severe and far reaching penalties.

After reading the Bill of Indictment, it mystifies me to consider a plausible defense for Covington and McKinny. Would the US Attorney move forward without highly credible and irrefutable evidence? Would he even waist his time if there were doubts and holes in his case?

From the Bill of Indictment:

3. Beginning around the time of its initial implementation, and continuing until in or around March 2013, COVINGTON and MCKINNY, aided and abetted by others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, promoted the scheme to other business owners and managers in their community. At least five businesses implemented the scheme as designed by Covington and McKinny, resulting in substantial monetary losses to the State of North Carolina and the United States of America.

This reading leaves the door open for other business owners to be indicted. I read this as five OTHER business owners besides Covington. We know of one other, Dr. Jerry Gross.

14. b. Next, Covington called a business meeting at DCT and informed the remaining DCT employees that the company could no longer afford to pay their wages, and that they therefore would be placed on UI Benefits, but that Covington expected the employees to continue to work at DCT full-time in order to help the business survive. Covington used his position of authority within his church community, which included most, if not all, of the employees at DCT, to coerce the employees to comply.

No shock here. Kent walked in “God’s authority” when it came to business matters. And all former members said- Amen.

18. By September of 2009, several other businesses run by members of the same church community to which Covington and McKinny belonged, and employing many members of that church community, were facing financial struggles related to the economic downturn. Covington and McKinny promoted the fraud that Covington and McKinny had devised at DCT to other members of the church community….

c. After the scheme was successful at DCT, Covington implemented a variation of the scheme a second time, with McKinny’s help, at Integrity Marble, Inc., d/b/a Integrity Marble and Granite, another for-profit company that Covington owned and managed, in or about March of 2010.

d. Covington then implemented a variation of the scheme a third time at Sky Catcher Communications, Inc., a company he managed, in or about May of 2011.

Let me explain an underlying dynamic in this all-inclusive “church community.” Employees of the companies mentioned had very little, if any, say in how they were paid or when they worked. If they did not agree with that “scheme” posed as God’s will; they risked unemployment, church discipline and or worse to go against the “plan of God.” I have heard of some who disagreed and sought employment in another church-member owned company. They did it with fear and trembling- knowing the risk.

Isn’t that a sad and pathetic thing to have to navigate in order to keep attending a “church?” There are hidden and unforeseen costs when your membership becomes “all-inclusive.” Many present and former members have discovered this truth.

The first appearance hearing for Covington has been moved to June 25th. McKinny’s hearing is tomorrow, June 18th, in courtroom two on the third floor of the U. S. District Courthouse. This is the same room where Jerry and Jason appeared a few weeks ago. The hearing will start at 9:45AM, unless something changes before then.
As filed – Covington indictment
There is yet more drama to unfold as the hot summer of 2018 rolls along…

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 637.

Related posts:

Conundrums and Complications… (audio) Diane McKinny pleads “not guilty” – given a $500,000 unsecured...

Kent Covington to plead guilty- Jane Whaley named in court document Monday, I heard a report on the radio that Governor...

WOFF Minister-Kent Covington pleads not guilty to Federal charges On the courthouse steps, Covington’s attorney answers questions… (key points...

More Conflictions, Conundrums and Confusion… VIDEOS!

Admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:29:54 +0000

Not all posts end when I finish writing them. Many times I keep learning even after I have written about a subject here on this blog. This subject of conflictions, conundrums and confusion is one of the areas of new learning. I continue to see areas that confuse me about Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) and its members. The confusion is especially evident in the advertising that the WOFF member-owned businesses are doing! These things just did not occur when I was in WOFF. This all makes me wonder if members are allowed to skip free through Youtube®? Or can they now ride the wild Internet any time they chose? Somehow I doubt that …. But, here is some new information to consider.

As mentioned in the previous post, Rutherford County is starving for jobs. The new Facebook® hub will help. Still many leave the county for work every day. When I was inside WOFF, I worked outside the county most of the time. Some days I drove up to an hour or more one way to work. Several others inside WOFF do the same or more. During one stretch while working for Two Mile Properties; I traveled to North Augusta to work. Our first stop in reviewing the confusions will be Two Mile Properties (TMP). My unique experiences will be saved for another post. Today, we will let others talk about TMP. First off, property management was a difficult business. It was so tough to make everyone happy all the time. That being said; I did a simple search and found these reviews….

What do you want to know?

Do not live on any of their properties they are cult owned, by word of Faith Fellowship…..bad news – By rucrazy on October 02, 2009 at 09:54 AM

bad bad don;t move here

this is sunday, laundry is not open, can;t wash clothes, gym is not open can;t do that, tennis courts are not open, our air does not work, there is mold in my bedrooms, its 86 degrees in my bedroom, no one will come to fix this, my apartment bedrooms leak when it rains from the floor not the ceiling. grandkids were woke up in middle of night by loud noisy neighbors, the 10 oclock curfew is not observed nor enforced, drug deals go down on every corner, there are gangs in here, soon as i can i am gone, this place is awful and the maintenance stinks,
By noneya on May 17, 2009 at 09:21 AM

My Opinion

I just moved into a Two-Mile Property on Aug.20, 2010 in Spartanburg, SC and I am enjoying the apartment. The only problem I have is on the first of September they ran a special for three months free rent. I feel I should’ve been told of up the coming special. I feel cheated and think some sort of compensation should be given to me, if not this lease, then on my next lease. I would like someone to contact me concerning this matter. My email is (deleted) or call me at 864-(deleted)end_of_the_skype_highlighting. I thank you in advance for your assistance.
By N icole Alexander on September 06, 2010 at 06:00 PM

What do you want to know?

Criminals! they cheated a bank out of north carolina out of 2 million they said were for renovations in their property in North Augusta, SC. Lied to city officials about a license plumber instaling thier water meters. They did not put grounding strips on the meters either. My water meter is in my bedroom closet! whats up with that! They lie, and cheat people out of money. They have some pull to, but they picked the wrong town in SC to come to cause its on. They go it coming!
By Truth Teller on October 08, 2009 at 12:33 PM

(link for reviews and to leave your comments… http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Two.Mile.Properties.Rutherfordton.NC.828-287-0700 )

It is humbling to think that folks could have been this upset while I worked for TMP. But, it is probably so. TMP is going through a court directed reorganization. So, at this time, they may not be managing the properties which spurred these comments.

Next, we will list a review of another restaurant owned by the same WOFF member who owns Café at the Mall. This one is in Tryon, NC. “10 North Trade Café Bakery” The longest review I found is below and I cannot tell if it written by someone on the home team…

This is one of those small -town gems that everyone should know about. They serve a wonderful lunch selection of specialty soups, sandwiches, quiches and salads along with flavored teas. They also offer a nice selection of delicious breads, pastries and desserts. If you want to try something unique that is nothing short of exceptional, try this little cafe. It is tucked away inside one of Tryon’s charming buildings and is adorable. But plan to visit them early because unfortunately they aren’t open for dinner. Or drop by and pick up a loaf of their specialty breads or a mouth-watering dessert to take home. You won’t be disappointed. (found here- http://www.restaurantica.com/nc/tryon/10-north-trade-street-cafe-bakery/23421451 )

Their website found here – http://www.10northtrade.com/ Liz Rose, the owner has her picture on the home page in the picture under the banner. This website is hosted by Sky Catcher Communications. Four employees listed on their management team are active WOFF members. Last I heard their offices were in the complex at Shiloh Road. Here is their website and contact info. http://www.skycatcher.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24&Itemid=106 .

Do you find it odd that WOFF members could work for a company that provides Internet services and solutions when regular WOFF members have their Internet access so highly regulated and monitored? WOFF members are working in communications when the access for regular members to outside information sources is so highly monitored? Confliction and Conundrum for sure…! Ask Morgan Sample, a former WOFF member, how her access to outside communications was monitored and regulated. (Read the post here about her struggles to get her computer and cell phone returned after she left WOFF- https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=4598 )

On Monday, I heard about another WOFF member-owned business in a town several miles away from Rutherford County- Simply Silver Accessories and More, LLC -in Hendersonville, NC. The documents originally filed in Raleigh October 1, 2008; do not mention a Hendersonville, NC address. I am unclear how long this business owned by Bridgette “BiBi” Powell and managed by Virginia “Jenny” Piper has been in at their present location. But, a simple search reveals a recent video of their store on of all places- Youtube®! Wow- WOFF members can’t freely surf the very venue they choose to advertise on? Confusing? Great thing about Youtube®- they let you share. There were actually two videos, I chose to share this one since Bibi smiles real big and Jenny is seen walking through the store. Enjoy and freeze frame the video to see the new products!

Update: 02/14/2013- the first video I put up has been made “private”. So, I have now inserted the second one.

Also in Hendersonville, you will find another WOFF-member owned business. That is the dental practice of Dr. Jonathan L. Lowry. The papers filed and available at the NC Department of the Secretary of State website (http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations/Filings.aspx?PItemId=9704188 ) show that Dr. Lowry organized on March 1, 2011. He has a very nice website found here – http://www.hendersonvilledds.com/ . On this website are pictures of his wife and sister-in-law who work at the practice. Pictured are two other staff members who I do not recognize as WOFF members. You will also find a picture of his daughter. On the Meet Your Doctor page, Jonathan closes his short bio sketch with these words… “Avery Shae was born into our family in April of my senior year at UNC, and I graduated in May—what a time that was!” It was somewhere during this time I understand that Jonathan Lowry experienced some confusing doubts about WOFF-life. “…what a time that was!” a conundrum for him for certain…

On the site is a short introduction video provided on the Youtube®! We will share it and allow Dr. Lowry to tell you in his own words how thankful he is for Dr. Todd allowing him a start in Hendersonville.

Before posting this information, I searched to find if these WOFF-member owned businesses had earned any “Best of” awards and was unable to locate them. This post is for information purposes only. I hope to make others aware of the growing list of conflictions, conundrums and confusing stuff in the world of WOFF members. In future posts, we may add to our list.

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. 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 376.

Related posts:

“Best of” WOFF Conflictions, Conundrums and Confusion… As I was traveling in my car last Wednesday, my...

Conundrums and Complications… (audio) Diane McKinny pleads “not guilty” – given a $500,000 unsecured...

Confusion Around a Meeting at Word of Faith Fellowship (video) On Wednesday, March 6, 2013, the confusion and conundrums around...