Inside The Statehouse

Disgraced, Fraudulent Criminal Con Man Donald Watkins Blogs From Prison

bloggers,” but the outlandish lies of one such blogger has gotten my attention.

A convicted criminal named Donald Watkins has been blogging scurrilous, vicious, outlandish lies about some of our state’s and nation’s most outstanding leaders and companies.

Watkins is posting these lies to the internet while serving a Federal prison sentence under the jurisdiction of the Federal penal system.

Donald Watkins was born in a world of

DeKalb Animal Hospital

Joseph K McNew D V.M Linda Galbraith, D V.M. Jessica Jones, D V.M Office: (256)845-0046 privilege, the son of Dr. Levi Watkins, the President of Alabama State University. While Donald presented himself as a multimillionaire, highrolling investor, court documents show he swindled friends, celebrities, and an FDIC-insured bank out of more than $15 million. In 2019, a federal court sent Watkins and his son, Donald Watkins, Jr., to federal prison. audacity to accuse Senator Richard Shelby of some unspecified scheme to send Watkins to jail.

Federal records show Watkins represented he was selling stock in an energy company called Masada and claimed he was the majority shareholder in the company. Watkins did not own any of the company stock. He claimed the company was associated with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Martin Luther King III. Both testified they had no connection with the company.

The vast majority of you have never heard of Donald Watkins. Some of you may remember him as the lawyer who helped Eric Ramsey attack the Auburn Football program landing the school on NCAA probation. He later defended other highprofile criminals, like himself.

But basketball legend Charles Barkley will remember Watkins as the man who swindled him out of more than $6 million. Federal records show that Watkins and his son took money from investors and channeled that money to pay for extravagant lifestyles. Records show Watkins, Sr. used the money to pay back taxes, alimony, living expenses for his girlfriend, and for his own private jet. It is easy to see why a jury of hard-working, honest folks found him guilty on ten counts in a New York minute.

Mitchell Levoid Hunter was pronounced brain-dead after being transferred. Family members made the decision to take him off life support the next day.

Brent Preston Hunter, age 56 of Fort Payne was arrested and charged with (2) counts of Domestic Violence 1st, (2) counts of Elderly Abuse, Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess Firearms, and one count of murder.

On Wednesday, March 8, Hunter appeared in court for his first hearing after his arrest.

The judge ruled that Hunter would be held without bond until he appeared before a grand jury.

“Brent Hunter will be held without bail on those two cases, so that will give a lot of comfort to not only the community but also the family and his mother, who of course, is one of his victims” stated Summer Summerford, District Attorney for DeKalb and Cherokee Counties.

Watkins and his son were convicted in federal court, and Watkins was found guilty on all ten counts brought against him. He was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay more than $14 million in restitution. He was sued for defamation, for lying about someone, and ordered to pay $1.5 million to those he harmed. But from a prison cell, Watkins continued to attack those he harmed, always claiming to be the victim and not the villain. Watkins claims he was railroaded as he continues spreading his lies across the digital landscape. He blames scores of people for conspiring against him, including the Alabama Supreme Court, Federal judges, Federal prosecutors, and the leadership of some of Alabama’s major corporations. Watkins even has the

In 2017, Alabama businessman Joe Perkins sued Watkins for defamation. A circuit court ruled in Perkins’s favor and awarded a judgment against Watkins of $1.5 million. Watkins appealed all the way up to the United States Supreme Court, and on February 27, the highest court in the land unceremoniously refused to hear Watkins’s ridiculous appeal.

So, why don’t more of Watkins’s victims sue him for his lies? As the old saying goes, you can’t get blood from a turnip. He owes his victims more than $15 million today. He is in such a deep hole that he cannot be stopped by more lawsuits.

Freedom of speech is one of the hallmarks of America’s creed. But that freedom in the hands of a proven liar and brazen, arrogant, non-repentant federal prisoner is not what our forefathers envisioned when they enshrined the First Amendment. This Blogger is a threat to society and deserves further jail time.

See you next week.

Burt Cornerstone

Rev. Bennie Berry - was born to George and Marie Berry on November 23, 1941 on Lookout Mountain in the Dogtown Community. He pastored several churches Cherokee, DeKalb, and Etowah counties. He started in ministry on February 10, 1957. He loved his family and he had a love for the Fort Payne Wildcats and Alabama Football, but most of all he loved the Lord.

Date of Funeral:

Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Funeral

Location: Highland Baptist Church in Fort Payne, AL (2004 Clark Ave. NE). Funeral Time: 2:00 PM. Mitchell Levoid Hunter - 75, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at Erlanger Medical Center. Date of Funeral: The Family will announce a Memorial Service at a later time.

Wanda Louise Martin - 74, of Fort Payne, Alabama passed away at her residence on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Date of Funeral: The Family will announce a Memorial Service at a later date.

Marlon Wayne

Wootten - 87 of Henagar died Friday, March 10 at Crowne Health Care. Scared Harp singing and funeral services will begin at 2:30 PM CT on Sunday, March 12 at Liberty Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery.

Jerry Ann Evans McCurdy - 79 of Henagar died Saturday, March 11 at her residence. Funeral services are Thursday at 2 PM CT at Corner Stone Funeral Chapel with Elder Tony Ivey officiating. Burial will follow in Fuller Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 3 to 8 PM CT on Wednesday and 12 noon until service time on Thursday.

Crossville

Zachery David McClendon - 29 of Crossville passed away Thursday, March 9, 2023 at his residence. His Funeral Service will be 3 p.m. Sunday, March 12, 2023 at Victory Baptist Church with burial to follow in the adjoining cemetery. Rev. Brandon Bruce and Rev. Jason King will be officiating. Pallbearers will be Micah Goble,

Donnie Stevens, Phil Phillips, Chase Oliver, Chris Oliver, Benny Hunt.Honorary pallbearers will be employees and volunteers of Shepherds Cove Thrift Shoppe. He will lie-instate at the church from 2 until 3. Visitation will be 5 until 8 Saturday evening at the funeral home.

Opal Wright Driskill - 99 of Dawson, passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at her residence. Funeral service is Monday, March 13, 2023, at 3:00 pm. Burial will follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Family will receive friends Monday, March 13th from 1PM-3PM.

Yvonne Busby Smith - 72 of Henagar, AL passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at Cloverdale Nursing Home. Funeral service is Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 3:00PM in Kerby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Earnest Corbitt officiating.

Reverend Danny Bellomy - 74 of Section passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at his residence. Funeral service is Friday, March 10, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Saved by Grace Worship Center Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Patsy June Whitmire Downer - 86 of Rainsville passed away on Friday, March 10, 2023 at Park Ridge Medical Center. A private graveside service will be held at Mountain View Memory Gardens. A celebration of life service will also be held at a later date.

Glenda Whitton89 of Henagar, AL passed away on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at her residence. Funeral service is Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at 2:00PM. Burial will follow in Green Haven Memorial Gardens.

Carolyn Harrell - 90 of Fort Payne, AL formerly of Charlotte, NC passed away on Tuesday, March 13, 2023 Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 2:00PM.

Sam Vance - 73 of Dutton, AL passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Funeral service is Friday, March 17, 2023 at 2:00PM.

Glenneth Staton - 79 of Scottsboro, Alabama passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Christopher Alan Wilborn - 62 of Dutton, Alabama passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023. Graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 15.

Billy Charles Manning - Died: March 12, 2023 Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, 2023. Burial in Pinehaven Memorial Gardens.

Shirley Sue Burrow Holt Vester - 71, left this life she enjoyed and those she loved to be with our Heavenly Father on Monday, March 13, 2023. Funeral at 12:00 pm (CST) on Thursday, March 16, 2023.

Paul Carl Kirtland - 59, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of February 22nd, 2023. There will be a Celebration of Life after the memorial service beginning at 3 p.m. at the Jackson County Park.

Joey Allen Richey - 65 of Fort Payne, passed away Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Funeral Services will be held at 12pm on Friday, March 10, 2023. Sandra Lea Frank - 51 of Crossville passed away Thursday at her residence. Funeral services will be held 11am Monday, March 13. Wetsell Ledon Sims - 63, of Crossville passed away on Thursday, March 9, 2023. Funeral services are set for 1pm Monday, March 13, 2023.

Funeral Homes

Doris Marie Moon - 66 of Fort Payne passed away Thursday March 9, 2023 at her residence. FUNERAL 3pm - Monday.

Patricia Ann Myers Templeton - 50 of Dutton passed away Thursday, March 9, 2023 in Highlands Medical Center. FUNERAL 2pmSaturday March 11, 2023.

Welton Lee “Sonny” Graben - 79, of Fyffe passed away on Friday, March 10, 2023. Funeral services are set for 3pm Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Burial will be in New Home Cemetery in Fyffe.

Kenneth Max Blackwell - 82, of Ft. Payne passed away on Friday, March 10, 2023. Funeral services are set for 3pm Tuesday, March 14.

Ray Cisco - 68, of Dutton passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2023. Funeral services are set for 11am Tuesday, March 14.

Ricky Glenn Thrash - 70 of Rainsville, passed away Monday, March 13, 2023. Funeral Services will be held at 1pm on Wednesday, March 15.

Larry Nelson Smith - 79 of Guntersville, passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Funeral Services will be held at 12pm on Thursday, March 16.

Grant

FROM PAGE 1 and provide sufficient time to take protective measures and seek shelter.

The four community partners joining the DeKalb County Commission, DeKalb County EMA, along with the grantor

Alabama Mountains

Rivers and Valley

RC&D are DeKalb County Home Healthcare (Holly Swanson), DeKalb Regional Home Healthcare (Sandy Scott), Leadership DeKalb County (Slade Carden, Kevin Burt, Angie McCurdy, Tricia Shankles), and DeKalb County Council of Aging (Emily McCamy) who will distribute to the mentioned targeted populations.

Road Department

Superintendent Tom Broyles updated the Commission on projects at the County Road Department.

The Department is getting vehicles ready to take to the March auction. DeKalb is known for bringing good quality vehicles to the auction with several cities and counties verifying that they would have vehicles in the sale.

“I feel that this could be the biggest action we have ever had” stated Broyles.

DeKalb Road Department has received two new trucks this week to replace those being auctioned and hopes to receive two more by the end of the week.

Broyles informed the Commission that a 2017 John Deere tractor used at the Road Department, was having transmission problems. The labor alone to repair would be around $10,000. The total price for parts and labor would be upwards of $15,000. If the tractor was in perfect condition, it would bring around $45,000 to $50,000.

Broyles recommended carrying the tractor to an auction with a $35,000 reserve which the Commission approved.

Superintendent Byoules also requested that an Assistant Superintendent position be posted for bid. This will be a new position in the Road Department.

DeKalb County Engineer Ben Luther presented bids for the Rebuild Alabama County Transportation Plan to the Commission. Charles Watts received the bid in the amount of $2,648,671.48.

Luther also presented a truck bid from Donohoo Chevrolet for a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado Police Pursuit Truck in the amount of $45,810.66, which was approved by the Commission.

A public hearing was held for anyone for or against a proposed subdivision by Calvin Wells, off of County Road 180 in District 4. With no objections, the permit was granted to develop.

Paul Tumlin retired from the DeKalb County Library Board after many years of service. Dana Greeson has filled the vacant position since his retirement. The Commission appointed her to the position retroactively since September 2022. Her term expires in October 2024.

The Commission reappointed William Dalton and William Black to the DeKalbJackson Water Board.

The Commission appointed Kent Rogers, Brandon Raines, and Tim Manness to the High Falls Park Board.

The dates for the DeKalb County Spring Clean-Up will be April 5-8 and April 12-15 from 8 am to 5 pm at the Sand Valley Landfill. Sand Valley Landfill is located at 3345 County Road 209 Collinsville. This service is provided free of charge by Republic Services Inc. and the DeKalb County Commission. Tires, paint, batteries, or hazardous waste are not allowed.

The next meeting of the DeKalb County Commission will be on April 11 at 10 a.m. at the Activities Building.

Hody

FROM PAGE 1 completion expected this fall. The council voted to build additional restrooms at the park to serve the High School softball field and the pavilion area.

The Geraldine Council adopted a Resolution to move the council meetings back to Geraldine Town Hall beginning in April, and also adopted an Ordinance to declare a Golf Cart surplus.

Mayor Chuck Ables was designated to represent the Town of Geraldine as a Delegate at the League of Municipalities annual convention in May.

At the end of the meeting, discussions were held concerning adding a streetlight on County Road 52 near the Highway 227 intersection, and also how to best use the proceeds received from recent litigation involving multiple parties. The result of the litigation reflects the common desire to abate and alleviate the impacts of the opioid epidemic in this State.