Court Watching: Circuit Court Judge Van Houten resets White’s final conference

By Rosemary K. Otzman
Independent Editor
The final conference for disbarred Belleville attorney Thomas A. White, before his Nov. 3 jury trial, has been moved from Aug. 8 to Aug. 15 before Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Margaret Van Houton.
White, 46, has 20 felony charges pending against him concerning his treatment of clients of his law firm. Although the charges started as two cases, Judge Van Houton consolidated the cases in May.
His defense attorney is Michael Vincent. Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor on the case is Daniel Williams.
Judge Van Houton gave the defense and prosecution extra time to go over the three, five-inch binders of bank records and noted that both parties will need to use a forensic accountant.
Judge Van Houten said a two-to-three-week trial will be needed.
Prosecutor Williams said they will need a long time because, “This is a criminal enterprise” and a considerable amount of money is involved. He told the judge there would be 50-60 witnesses if the cases go to trial.
Official charges in what was the first case, filed Sept. 6, 2013, are uttering and publishing, larceny by conversion – $20,000 or more, embezzlement, and two counts of identity theft.
In White’s second case, which was filed Dec. 18, 2013 charges are one count of conducting a criminal enterprise and 14 additional counts of embezzlement.
White is accused of stealing an estimated $11 million from widows, families, and estate beneficiaries.
He practiced law in an office across Main Street from Belleville City Hall for 20 years.