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WELE-AM Ormond Beach Owner Doug Wilhite Arrested on sex accusations with teen

Wilhite was acquitted today on charges that he raped and fondled a 15-year-old boy.
He left the courtroom this afternoon in tears, but declined comment. He embraced his wife, Sherry, after the verdict was read. The court heard testimony from a teenager who said Wilhite raped him twice and repeatedly engaged in oral sex acts with him. The defense challenged the teenager's testimony, saying the boy has mental health issues and a history of lying.
His accuser was not in the courtroom when the six-man jury’s decision reached in 30 minutes.
The State Attorney’s Office is investigating seven additional allegations of lewd conduct with teenagers against Wilhite, but has not filed formal charges.
 
It's being reported today that WELE has been sold for $35k and "assumption of obligations" to Goliath Radio LLC. Anyone we know? JM?
 
Ugh. My guess is, he would be forced to register as sex offender, be homeless and sleep underneath an interstate highway bridge.
 
ddsparxx said:
Ugh. My guess is, he would be forced to register as sex offender, be homeless and sleep underneath an interstate highway bridge.

That would only apply if he was found guilty as charged. Since Wilhite was found Not Guilty, legally he is guilty of nothing; hence no required registration.
 
Re: WELE-AM Ormond Beach Owner Doug Wilhite Arrested on sex accusations with tee

I want to retract my statement. This man has been found not guilty of his charges. I allowed certain people and the media to influence my opinion. I want to trust the legal system. He has been tried and found not guilty. This man has contributed to this community for a long time in many ways. I should not have made my posting. I am sorry.
 
Wow, $35,000? This covers the business, land, building, facilities, equipment, and tower. Doug really gave up a lot just in the building alone. But he probably needed to get out from under it.
 
Any ideas as to how much debt was assumed? Seems that he would have been mortgaged pretty heavily if he let it go for almost no cash and assumption of debt, even in his situation. That is what the real sale price was. Best of luck to Big John - hope he does well.
 
Re: WELE-AM Ormond Beach Owner Doug Wilhite Arrested on sex accusations with tee

johnsmith said:
I want to retract my statement. This man has been found not guilty of his charges. I allowed certain people and the media to influence my opinion. I want to trust the legal system. He has been tried and found not guilty. This man has contributed to this community for a long time in many ways. I should not have made my posting. I am sorry.

You should retract your statement - it was rather strange. You could probably be sued for libel!
Just because Wilhite wasn't convicted doesn't "prove" he is not guilty. The prosecution team seems to have made some rather serious errors and did not have the evidence to prove their case.
Any adult who allows minors into his home is legally obligated to clothe him/her self - a minor can not "waive" requirements for moral responsibility. Whether the accusations are true - only Wilhite and these kids know the truth. But the prosecutor makes a correct statement - these kids are ripe for the picking because they are pretty unbelievable. Pedeophiles seem to have a knack for picking victims who will not be credible.
Wilhite has "contributed to the community???" You, sir, must be kidding....right? Sounds to me like he helped himself to a lot of the community's money and spent it on himself. The sooner our planet is void of people like Doug Wilhite....the better. And safer our children will be.
 
According to the News-Journal, Big thinks he can complete this deal for about $500,000. There is a foreclosure pending in the court and some liens. These have to be taken care of before closing a deal.
 
If this deal is exactly as it is stated in the media, there are several factors that have to be cleared before the deal can be completed. As stated, the foreclosure and liens have to be satisfied. And the main issue is still that pesky license renewal situation.

On the other hand, the liens and foreclosures are only on the real estate and equipment since it is illegal to place a lien on a broadcast license. All the buyer needs to obtain the license is FCC approval and that's it! The buyer can always purchase/lease new/used equipment and relocate the studios/offices to a new location. The tower site is uneffected by any liens or foreclosure, as that site, if I understand correctly, is leased under a 99-year lease arrangement that was put into place under former owner Bill Hunter sometime in the late '70s. I also understand that said 99-years lease is paid ahead in full with no more lease payments due and also with approximately 70-years remaining on said tower lease. So, in reality, the liens and foreclosures will have little effect on the station assumming the FCC renews the license. It would just be a matter of securing new broadcast equipment and a another studio/office location if the current liens and foreclosure are not rectified.
 
Have you had a chance to read the entire Asset Purchase Agreement between Wings Communications and Goliath Radio LLC? It is on the fcc licensing website.
 
dancer67 said:
Have you had a chance to read the entire Asset Purchase Agreement between Wings Communications and Goliath Radio LLC? It is on the fcc licensing website.

I have not read the entire Asset Purchase Agreement although I did download a copy and save it to my files. However, regardless of how it is worded, the fact remains the same that a lien cannot be placed against a broadcast license. The existing leins, judgments and foreclosures are against the physical hard assets only.

If Goliath Radio, LLC is making good on the leins and judgments against the hard assets, i. e., real estate, broadcast equipment, etc., resulting in the buyer acquiring everything as is, the buyer can do that with court approval.

It will be interesting to see how this ultimately plays out in the end.
 
Wilhite will not go to trial on 15 sex charges. He says he is too unhealthy to do so and took a plea deal with the State.
7 teens said he served them alcohol, showed them porn, and encouraged them to have sex with one another while he watched. He said the teens made it all up.
Wilhite doesn't admit guilt, but said he won't risk having another trial.
Wilhite's deal is two years house arrest and 13 years probation.
 
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