Man allegedly entered into fraudulent marriage with radio personality to scam people for financial gain – WSB-TV Channel 2

DA Willis spoke exclusively with Channel 2 Action News regarding the Grand Jury's decision to indict Williams under the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act.

“He was pretending to be a legitimate businessman, but he was stealing from people, from U.S. currency, from vehicles, and he was really just talking about benefits for people,” Willis said.

The 39-count indictment claims that Earnest fraudulently married popular radio personality Shirley Strawberry. Strawberry is co-host of the popular Steve Harvey Morning Show.

“Creating this impression of a certain level of success and using it to scam other people,” said Assistant District Attorney Will Wooten.

Documents claim he knowingly engaged in a fraudulent marriage.

“We think she met a man, fell in love and married him and the truth is that at the time he was already married to someone else,” she said. Willis said.

Lawyers say Williams used Strawberry's wedding to gain access to victims. And over a 12-year period, documents suggest Williams scammed at least 25 victims out of more than $750,000.

Allegations are that he stole personal vehicles, motorcycles, coaches and other miscellaneous property by issuing bad checks or simply not returning the items.

“He pretended to be a legitimate businessman, but he was stealing from people,” Wooten said.

His co-conspirator, Erica King, is also named in the indictment for allegations that she falsely represented Williams in court hearings, posing as an attorney.

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“Earnest Williams often created this impression of a close relationship or romantic relationship with many of these victims, used these relationships to take money, vehicles, vehicle trailers, campers and other property,” Wooten said.

According to the prosecutor, the majority of victims are women.

The prosecutor's office believes there are more victims.

Channel 2 Action News contacted the public defenders representing Williams, but they declined to comment on the pending litigation.

The Fulton County Prosecutor asks people who feel victimized by Williams to email the prosecutor's office at: ; [email protected].

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