Court Watching: Thomas White sentenced to 5-20 years in Michigan prison system

Disbarred Belleville attorney Thomas White, 47, who pled no contest to 20 felony charges against him, on Friday morning was sentenced to 5 to 20 years in the Michigan prison system and was taken into custody to begin his term.
His sentence could have been 254 years, but White was not advised at the plea agreement that his sentences on the charges could run consecutively rather than concurrently.
Retired Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Dalton A. Roberson who was on temporary duty with the court said if he changed the sentencing to make the terms consecutive, he was afraid that White could withdraw his no-contest plea.
The highest sentence of 5-20 years was given for each of the first five charges involving embezzlement of $100,000 or more.
White could apply for parole after 5 years, but the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office would oppose that.
Also, there are many victims who were not named in this case and new criminal cases could be filed against him if he is released.
Judge Roberson also ordered White to pay restitution of more than $1.1 million to 14 victims, whose names were read by Assistant Prosecutor Trisha Gerard.
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Read the rest of the story on White’s sentencing in the upcoming April 16 edition of the Belleville-Area Independent.