Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 13, 1994 TAG: 9409130058
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
The grand larceny charge against Alma H. Holston involves the alleged theft of less than $1,000 in winning instant bingo tickets.
James Hartley, Giles County's commonwealth's attorney, was appointed in May as special prosecutor for the case. State police conducted an investigation after getting permission from the state attorney general's office to investigate an elected official, Hartley said. The theft is alleged to have happened sometime during a three-week period in February.
"The allegation is simply that she had access to the supplies, went into the supply room and took a number of tickets ... and then returned to cash the winners," Hartley said.
Holston's attorney, Michael Barbour, said the indictment was unexpected.
"Frankly, I'm shocked and she is, too. ... Mrs. Holston had no idea this was coming today." Barbour said.
The instant bingo tickets come in a box of more than 2,000 with the same serial number. There are a dozen $100 winners in the box and other winning tickets of smaller amounts. Players do not know which tickets are winners until they pull off five tabs and view the inside of the ticket.
Hartley said Holston is alleged to have gained access to the bingo tickets on one or more occasions, then returned at a later date to claim the $100 winners she had pulled.
Four of the 12 winning $100 tickets in the box have never been presented for payment, Hartley said.
Holston has served consecutively on Town Council since 1988. She also served during 1980-84. She is a local aide to state Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo, R-Fincastle.
"She's completely shocked and she's also devastated," Barbour said. "She contends she hasn't committed any crime whatsoever.
Police "had interviewed her. They had asked her to submit fingerprints which she did," Barbour said. He said the prints didn't match the items police were checking.
Barbour said Holston is putting her faith in the legal system and that they "have every intention of resolving this as soon as possible."
"I think she fully expects to be exonerated," he said.
by CNB