Mother and daughter plead guilty in 5 Rivers case (Wednesday update)

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Dayo and Beulah White leave the courtroom after learning they will serve no time in jail

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Published on 3/16/2009
Written by Scott Harper

The mother and daughter who ran the Five Rivers Community Development Corp. will escape jail time if they repay a portion of the money they were accused of taking.
Beulah White, the organization’s chief executive officer, was ordered Monday to repay $3,500 and was placed on five years’ probation.
Her daughter, Dayo White, must pay back $52,489 and is also on five years’ probation.
She was the chief financial officer for Five Rivers, which her mother founded in 1995.
The sentences were negotiated by the state attorney general’s office and the defense.
Curtis Pauling, representing the attorney general, said many of the 16 charges the pair was facing were dismissed as a part of the deal that was reached.

Why no trial
He told Judge Steven John the state was concerned about taking the case to trial because some important evidence may not have been allowed to be presented to the jury.
A lot of the documentation, such as financial records, was obtained by the solicitor’s office using subpoenas investigators sent out after stamping the subpoenas with a stamp from the clerk of court.
Because the law says the clerk of courts’ office must do the stamping, the defense was pushing to get anything collected by the investigators in that manner tossed out.
It would have been difficult for the state to prove its case without that evidence.

The pleas
Dayo White pleaded guilty to two counts of breach of trust more than $5,000 and criminal conspiracy. Her mother admitted to breach of trust, embezzlement and criminal conspiracy.
The state says Dayo White wrote 13 checks to herself from the Five Rivers account to help make ends meet within her household and help her former husband’s now-defunct business.
When the cancelled checks were returned, she would change them to make it look like the money was used to pay consultants.
Her attorney, Charlie Condon, said 33-year-old Dayo has two children and was in a bad marriage with a lot of financial problems when the thefts took place.
“She had intentions of paying the money back but did not do it,” he said.
The only money Beulah White has to repay is a $3,500 loan she gave a friend using the organization’s funds, which he never returned.
Both women said “yes” when asked by the judge if they knew they were committing a crime at the time the thefts were taking place.

Restitution
The women have to begin the restitution within 30 days.
The money will be placed in a trust and any victims will have to file a claim within six months. After that, a hearing will take place for the judge to decide how to distribute the funds.
During the hearing Hemphill Pride, Beulah White’s attorney, described his client as a “spiritual person.” There were several members of her church at the hearing offering support.
“God did it,” Beulah White said after the hearing.
When asked to explain her comment, she simply said “the people will know what I mean.”
It’s unclear if the women’s legal battles are over because they are also accused of misusing a $418,000 federal grant.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which administered the grant, has not said if it will file charges.

Unruly juror
The Whites are not the only ones who had to stand before the judge Monday.
Before the guilty pleas were accepted, a jury pool was qualified in case a trial was needed.
A woman, when her name was called during roll call, said, “I have served on a jury twice before — once on criminal and once on civil. I don't want to do this again."
The judge ruled she was in contempt of court.

I think putting those two admitted thieves where they should be would be cheaper than a new bypass around Georgetown. Georgetown has a lot of good people.

Posted by on 3/27/2009

Just another wonderful event in the world of Georgetown County. Considering all the recent negative activity...the best thing that can happen is a bypass from Myrtle Beach to Charleston.

Posted by The Carver on 3/26/2009

It makes a person wonder what money was used to buy those nice clothes they're wearing in the picture?

Posted by local_girl on 3/24/2009

I know what they can do as their community service. Let them ferry the residents back and fourth on Sandy Island for free. Let them give back to the community they stole from.

Posted by on 3/24/2009

Keep Alert! Restitution has to come from somewhere!

Posted by on 3/24/2009

Isaiah 55:8, For My thoughts are not your thoughts nor are My ways your ways... Ms Beulah White, how did you come up with the thought that God got you off with a slap on the wrist for knowingly and willfully violating one of his commandments? What process did you use to come up with this analysis???

Posted by Very Concerned on 3/22/2009

It's a shame that they would use the name of the Lord to justify the outcome of this case. The last time I checked, God said "thou shalt not steal" not if you get caught, I'll get you off with a slap on the wrist. The attorney described at least one of them as being "spiritual" and it was reported that some of the church members were there for support. What kind of church do they attend and further more, what kind of God (or god) do they serve???

Posted by Very Concerned on 3/21/2009

To the lady who thinks it is wrong to have dissent about the outcome of this case: your comments turn Martin Luther King's Dream into a nightmare. Racism has nothing to do with this outrage. The Whites admitted guilt and the justice system caved to political correctness. This is a sad day for our penal system. This will only encourage others to try and get away with the same. I agree they are not the only ones guilty of corruption but they are guilty of corruption. This money was to be used to help the needy not the greedy. Our nation is becoming a nation of greed. Our politicians are not representing our best interests. Please stop voting for wolve's in sheep's clothing. Our justice system is losing all credibility. If we continue this path we will destroy our culture and bankrupt our childrens future. We need more people outraged about every exposure of corruption. To make this an issue about race is merely a diversion. This is not about race this is about stealing from the poor and making yourself rich. The ones who make this a race issue do not affirm the message of "I HAVE A DREAM" nor do they care if that dream is ever to come true. God help us. As far as saying "God did it" I would offer Ms. White the scripture that says "Be ye not deceived Iam not mocked. Whatsoever you sew, that you shall also reap". I guess if that applies to her then God could also be accused of racism.

Posted by Mike Goude on 3/21/2009

Makes no never mind what race, the Whites ( mother and daughter ) are crooks. They stole from the poor, took money for their own gain, payed themselves salaries they were not worth.A lot of poor people are now without because of their wrong doings, and had the nerve to say God did it ( got them off ). Thats a disgrace by itself. Hope the government takes it from here.

Posted by Wilson on 3/20/2009

I feel sorry for Courtney Davis. You really, really need some professional help. The racial hatred displayed in your 3/19/2009 comment [to the article on the Whites] is the type of attitude that permeates further dissention between ethnic groups.

Posted by RAH on 3/20/2009

Isn't the Clerk of Courts last name White?

Posted by on 3/20/2009

The daughter should have received a year in jail and the mother six months. That would have been justis

Posted by norm on 3/18/2009

Kudos to all the previous comments, especially Lola. The end results of this travesty is that legitimate non-profit organizations will be more scrutinized by future benefactors. Furthermore, the people of Georgetown County that needed help the most have lost the most. Is there hope at the end of the tunnel that HUD will pursue these women with more vengeance????

Posted by RAH on 3/18/2009

The outcome of the 5 rivers trial is a disgrace to the justice system.For two people to get away with stealing with only a slap on the hand, and for a court so weak as to let it happen is sad.

Posted by on 3/17/2009

i hate the outcome but I thank the Georgetown Times for the real time reports from the courtroom. I kept my refresh button busy yesterday keeping up with it. Thanks.

Posted by Donald on 3/17/2009

In case anyone missed the Sun News. AIG paid for their defense with a policy that covered directors and officers. I think if this sort of policy is allowed then reimbursement should be made to the issuing company upon a guilty verdict or plea. Someone has got to pay these outrageous bonuses for a sinking ship and it may as well be those whose ship has already sank.

Posted by Lee Padgett on 3/17/2009

Sniff, sniff, what's that horrible stink? Can anybody us smell Clyburn all over this disaster?

Posted by Bloodhound on 3/17/2009

OutRAGE, with an emphasis on the RAGE. How could any official who is supposed to "serve" the public allow such a shameful miscarriage of justice? And to add sin upon sin they invoke the Holy name of God in this travesty, as if God is in league with theft, corruption, and gross injustice. Are there any other commandments they don't mind breaking? The only good thing that can be found in this disgusting tale of evil and corruption is the picture of all their ugly, blubbery butts sizzling in H***, and here I am speaking of the judge and lawyers. Native Georgetonians have been saying all along not to expect justice, that the Whites have connections and will get off with just a big show and a wrist slap--well, the natives sure know their local Injustice System! It is a crying shame that this community takes public corruption so much for granted that even the most glaring crimes and betrayal of public trust are treated as just business as usual.

Posted by Lola on 3/16/2009

What a Crock! The Attorneys are the only winners here. Laughing all the way to the bank.

Posted by on 3/16/2009

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