A Union City man has been convicted on multiple felony charges, including criminal enterprise and embezzlement from a family trust, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office announced. David White, 67, was found guilty of operating a criminal enterprise and embezzling funds from the John Stirling White Trust, which included the Winery Office Building in downtown Farmington, according to the Attorney General's office.
Following the death of his father, John Stirling White, in 2014, White became a co-trustee of the trust, yet despite the existence of several adult children who were beneficiaries of the trust, the assets were never distributed due to ongoing litigation, with White controlling the income and financial records until he was removed by the probate court in 2019. The consequent investigation by the Department of Attorney General uncovered that White had embezzled at least $400,000 between 2014 and 2019. His conviction includes one count of conducting a criminal enterprise, which carries a 20-year felony sentence, two counts of embezzlement by an agent/trustee of $50,000 to $100,000, a 15-year felony, one count of embezzlement by an agent/trustee of $1,000-$20,000, a 5-year felony, and six counts of failure to file taxes, also a 5-year felony.
Attorney General Nessel was quoted in the press release saying, "The hard-earned savings and property of those who have passed must be managed with integrity and respect, not exploited by those entrusted with their care." She expressed thanks to the jury for their work and emphasized her department's commitment to prosecuting those who take advantage of such trust. White's sentencing is scheduled for January 23, 2025, by Judge Martha Anderson in the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County, as per the Attorney General's office.
