Tag Archives: Word of Faith Fellowship

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David Wheeler and the rest of the story

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WYFF 4 out of Greenville, SC

Candidate David Wheeler is running for North Carolina State Senate Seat for District 47. His website tells of his background in business and his strong advocacy for education and affordable health care in rural areas. After today, he may need to add a section about the ongoing issues in Rutherford County. (video of the press conference is on my Facebook page)

In a press conference today held in Forest City, he stood with two others familiar with issues in the area- Wayne Guffey and me. Wayne has approximately 30 years of experience in law enforcement. He also recently ran in the Republican’s primary for sheriff. My experience has included speaking out over the last few years about the unsafe practices of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). I was honored to stand with David and Wayne.

David opened with a short intro for me, Next, I shared a short recap of meeting David. Wayne’s followed with his reasons why he as a Republican endorsed Mr. Wheeler, a Democrat. Wayne boldly proclaimed he respected David’s stance and knew he cared for the citizens of Rutherford County.

Mr. Wheeler began by sharing what he heard as he traveled the county. Speaking from prepared remarks, he soon launched into his list of questions reflecting on the present state of affairs in the county.

Just to give some perspective, yesterday, the prepared remarks were a total of one page. I was present in the meeting where the content was discussed. Today, just before the meeting started, David walked in and explained he read several additional sources during the night and decided to bring the real issues to the forefront and be very direct. (paraphrased)
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Ten years ago… today

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Confused, heartbroken and sad… I pulled out of the driveway on Carver Lane and drove across the street to speak to my son. He was watering flowers for the neighbors who were also long-time members of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). After a short exchange ever-burned in my memory, I got back in the van and made announcement calls to my daughter and my wife. Still, it did not occur to me that after 20 years of marriage including fathering two beautiful children; that the drive I took up Highway 221 to Marion would lead to the dissolving of family I loved so dearly. Thinking the separation would be temporary, I asked my new landlord for a six month or shorter lease.

My unwillingness to accept the plight other spouses had endured after leaving the confines of WOFF did not change the outcome. The months melted into years and the gulf separating me from my children remained. My wife filed for divorce and then sued me for back child support. The divorce became official while her monetary quest was not successful as she planned.

The communication with my children dried up ending in returned letters and shredded checks. The failed attempts to connect never quenched my love for them. There remains in my heart a father’s love which will never fade through time and eternity.
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Chad Cooper Files Complaint against WOFF and named leadership for Alienation of Affection

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A “Complaint and Petition for Relief for Alienation of Affection” was filed May 15, 2018 in Rutherford County District Court, by Chad W. Cooper. This Complaint outlines various claims against the defendants: Jayne Caulder, David Caulder, Jane Whaley and Sam Whaley, Brooke and Kent Covington, Amy Mattos and the Word of Faith Fellowship (Inc.) (WOFF). The claims include accusations against the defendants that they “willfully, actively, wrongfully and intentionally interfered with the marital relationship” of Chad Cooper and Lauren (Caulder) Cooper.

The file number is -18 CVD 579. All of the defendants having been served, the deadline for answering this Complaint has been moved to July 24th. There has also been a motion filed by Josh Farmer representing WOFF seeking to move the case to Superior Court in light of the requested sum total of “monetary relief in excess of $4,000,000.”

What is “alienation of affection?”
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WOFF Minister-Kent Covington pleads not guilty to Federal charges

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On the courthouse steps, Covington’s attorney answers questions…


(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.
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Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Conundrums and Complications… (audio)

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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.
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This is not a parking ticket… (audio)

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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.
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Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Anderson vs. Anderson – First Day in Court (audio)

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After long delays for one reason or another, the Anderson vs. Anderson custody case began this morning in front of the Honorable Judge Thomas McAvoy “Mack” Brittain, Jr. in courtroom 3 of the Rutherford County courthouse. There was a full day of testimonies from several folks. For this post, I will summarize a few key points and expound on them in the mp3 file included. I am not promising this format from here on out, but I am hoping it will be quicker and a better use of my time. Not sure you would call this an official podcast, but I will do my best to edit the audio to make it pleasant to listen to while including much more information than if I wrote out today’s adventures.

Here is a short recap of a few of the vital issues on the table. Plaintiff Nicholas Anderson filed action against Sarah Anderson after she left the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) February 26, 2016. The son, Aden Brock Anderson first left with Sarah and on a subsequent weekend of agreed visitation for Nick, he did not return the child as promised. March 7, 2016, he filed for divorce and child custody. He first listed he desire for primary care and custody, but also listed a shared custody option.

March 16, 2016; Judge Laura Powell signed a Memorandum of Judgment outlining joint custody and the parameters. Included in this order was the following:

“e. Neither party shall subject the child or allow anyone else to subject the child to abuse, including yelling, shaking, striking or any form of physical abuse.”

I was in the court room that day and felt this was a victory for Sarah. Not a guarantee it would never happen, just open acknowledgment that the Judge was aware it could happen and may have previously. Unfortunately, Judge Powell recused herself February 28, 2017 the day after the first article from the Associated Press outlining allegations of abuse from ex-members.

April 4, 2016- Sarah filed an Answer to Nick’s Compliant. She stated in her motion after telling Nick her intention to not return to WOFF and not allowing their son to return; she was denied access to the marital home “if she would not submit herself to church scrutiny and discipline.”

Also, in this document, under the “Child Custody” section:

“34. That the Defendant has maintained the primary care of the minor child through the date of the separation when the Defendant voiced concerned about the safety of the infant child being subjected to secretive church practices of physical mistreatment in which the Plaintiff was unwilling to intervene and provide protection for the minor child.”

These two points and more were the basis for much of the testimony today. Nick’s attorney, Alan LeCroy from Morganton has a previous commitment on Wednesday. Court is set to resume Thursday morning at 9:00AM.

Hope you enjoy the audio file.

Please, let me know your feedback.
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