A Sentencing Update

I've serioiusly NOT kept this blog up to date so I thought I'd take just a moment to at least bring it up to date as far as the legal sentencing events are concerned. Here's a short summary.

The sentencing previously scheduled for Joyce Elaine Allen on January 13, 2015, 10:00 AM was rescheduled by the court. The sentencing hearing for her has been set for February 17, 2015, 10:00 AM at Courtroom 4 - Knoxville, Federal Courthouse, 800 Market St., Suite 130, Knoxville, TN before Judge Thomas Varlan.

Paulynn Wright was sentenced by the Court to serve 4 months, followed by supervised release of 2 years and given a 'special assessment' of $100.00 to pay.

Dona Rector was sentenced by the Court to be placed on probation for 2 years and given a 'special assessment' of $100.00 to pay.

Should I make a comment about the 'justice' thus far meeded out? I don't think it's necessary since I believe all of the victims are feeling the same dismay, hurt, and pain as I feel as I write this blog. Enough said.

The Beginning of Justice

This is one that we have to share! The final defendant has been found guilty on all charges. Joyce Allen, responsible for bringing us into the Ponzi scheme, was found guilty by 9 women and 3 men on all 11 counts of financial fraud including conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.

Read some about it here.....knoxnews.com .

At this time we don't know if the judge will allow Joyce Allen to remain free until the sentencing in January. Perhaps this will bring a little amount of closure to some. Now we can pray for continued justice to be served for the victims.

So with this posting - ALL defendants have been found guilty or plead guilty.

An additional note.... Joyce Allen's sentencing hearing has been set for Jan. 13, 2015. Although prosecution requested her to be held pending her hearing the Judge Varlan struck a compromise and has allowed her to remain free but ordered her to submit to electronic monitoring and to be largely confined to her house. He also warned her that should she decide to flee, the odds are high that the U.S. Marshals Service will find her.

More Guilty Pleas and Lawsuits

I haven't been updating this blog for quite a while and thought I'd at least get caught up with a few of the 'happenings'. Firstly, three defendants including Tiffiny Thompson, Dona Rector, and Paulynn Wright have now or will plead guilty. Paulynn Wright will be pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. According to the agreement, Wright admits that she "knowingly caused false information to be provided (through the Internet) for the purpose of obtaining mortgage financing." The false information was an asset verification letter, that was part of a transaction involving Joyce Allen, Kay Thomas and mortgage broker Dona Rector. The letter stated that Wright had investments with Benchmark when in fact she had no such investments, her plea agreement states.

Others remain in the fight to either find a way to dodge justice or clear their names. One of these is Brian Murphy who most recently has asked through his lawyer - Greg Isaccs) to allow testimony to his "mental state at the relevant times, and his interpersonal relationship with Candler". He has requested that Dr James F Murray, a clinical psychologist, be allowed to testify concerning "factors involving Brian Murphy’s atypical personality features related to social and interpersonal relationships, such as being unusually conforming, unassuming, eager to please, overly trusting, and overly sensitive to the reactions of others," according to Isaacs. The disorders from which Murphy suffers include anxiety, depression, paranoid thinking, “potential substance abuse issues” and “atypical personality features related to social and interpersonal relationships,” Isaacs wrote.

The remaining defendants in the case are Joyce Allen, and Allen's employee Kay Thomas. Their trial is currently set for September 8, 2014.

In the meantime, others jump on the wagon to file lawsuits.  More Lawsuits!

Pretrial Motion Hearings, Status Hearings, and Maybe a Trial?

Another 'snag' in getting this to trial has arose.  It seems that one of the defendants has changed their attorney and the court has deemed that as a "complex" factor.  I'll leave that for others to determine; however, I will share the following information simply as furthering information to those that may be concerned -

• The newest trial date has been set for July 15, 2014.

• A pretrial motions hearing has been scheduled for April 4, 2014, 9:30 AM at Courtroom 3A - Knoxville, Federal Courthouse, 800 Market St., Suite 130, Knoxville, TN for defendants Joyce Elaine Allen, Sharon Kay Thomas, Brian Murphy, Tiffiny Thompson, Paulynn Wright, Dona Rector before Judge J Guyton,.  The purpose of this hearing is to clarify any outstanding issues prior to the trial.

• A status hearing is scheduled before Judge H Guyton for June 27, 2014, 9:30 AM at Courtroom 3A - Knoxville, Federal Courthouse, 800 Market St., Suite 130, Knoxville, TN for defendants Joyce Elaine Allen, Sharon Kay Thomas, Brian Murphy, Tiffiny Thompson, Paulynn Wright, Dona Rector.  The purpose of this hearing is to determine if there are issues that the court needs to address and to schedule any necessary future court dates.

• A trial is scheduled before Judge Thomas Varlan on July 15, 2014, 9:00 AM at Courtroom 4 - Knoxville, Federal Courthouse, 800 Market St., Suite 130, Knoxville, TN for defendants Joyce Elaine Allen, Sharon Kay Thomas, Brian Murphy, Tiffiny Thompson, Paulynn Wright, Dona Rector.

It's my thought that enough pretrial motions hearings and status hearings have been held, including the above, that all have had more than a fair opportunity to gather all the 'facts' to present a fair and just hearing.  ....other thoughts?

Lawsuits and Hearings

It looks like I'm a little late on this one but it seems several people have been busy filing lawsuits.  I certainly see their frustration and desire to grab at any opportunity to get some of their money back; however, with so many other victims still outstanding is it really right to expect more than your investment back?  My thoughts are that fairness would dictate that whatever any victims get back - all should receive a 'like portion'.  That's my thoughts 

Here's a link directing you to the multitude of lawsuits.... Lawsuits abound!

On another note - there was to be a pre-trial hearing today on the federal case against all those charged in this devilish misuse of trust.  I have no update on IF that hearing was held but I'm always glad to hear from others with any information

By the way, if others are interested in a class action suit or 'joining forces' with this Concerned Citizen - contact us!

I hope today was fine for all and the future is more blessed each day for all.