Waco Breaking News

By Mary

July 18, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this

It’s about time that this was brought before the judge. This lady should be ashamed of herself, the people of Waco trusted her.

By Marilyn Miller

July 18, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

If she was poor, black or Hispanic, Margaret Mills would have been locked up long ago, and rightfully so. I doubt she’ll ever see more than adjudicated probation. And then she’ll probably sue everyone in sight for tarnishing her sterling reputation.

Nothing blind about justice in this case!

By Niiki

July 18, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

I do not believe they should move the trial out of Waco. She did the crime here let her peers be the ones that judge her. What she did was wrong and the people of Waco have the right to say what should be done to her.

By David

July 18, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

Why should Mills be granted a change of venue, she should have to face and be judged by the same people she took advantage of. She is a thief, she used money, for personal gain, from an organization that put their trust in her.

By Janice

July 18, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

Ms. UPITY should be judged by the same people she took advantge of…

By Throw her in the slammer

July 18, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

Throw her in the slammer! 500,000 smackerroos is alot of doe. This is why Waco is on the worst place to raise your family list. That money could have helped field MCC a football team or built waco that semi-pro baseball stadium. Where is the money now? I would garnish all of her retirement, social security, personal bank accounts. Give her 25 years just like they did enron and world comm. She thought she was invinsible.

By Kevin

July 18, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

I truly believe that this trial should be transferred out of Mclennan County and the comments made so far about this pretrial hearing should be evidence enough that this woman would not be given a fair and impartial trial. As humans and Americans we should remember that it is innocent until proven guilty not the other way around.

By Scott Baker

July 18, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

People, Kevin is right. What you’re doing here is providing evidence for the defense. Did you not read the article? Mr. Bostiwck wants the trial moved because he claims that the people of McLennan County are already prejudiced against his client. If you want the trial to remain here, stop proving him right. Stop making comments about her guilt. I know you want to have your say in the matter, but this is not the time or place. Keep it to yourselves or you will most assuredly see the trial moved out of Waco.

By BoogerHook

July 18, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

She should be featured on World’s Dumbest Criminals!!! Read the indictment! She wrote the checks to herself and SIGNED them! DUHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! Do we have a special prison in Texas for idiots? That’s where she needs to go - FOR LIFE!

By Marilyn Miller

July 18, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

Actually, Scott and Kevin, I think Mrs. Mills stands a much better chance of conviction in a different venue.

I absolutely believe a person is innocent until proven guilty. I only want to see justice served. If she’s found innocent, more power to her. And if she’s found guilty, she should be given a sentence as harsh as the crime she allegedly committed.

By Margaret Mills let's them eat cake

July 18, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

-30-

By Roger

July 18, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

I think that others should be charged too. What kind of oversight was there on this organization? What kind of bank allows checks from any business be written to the authorized person in the amounts necessary to involve a half million dollars?

I agree with the names involved it will get white washed and nobody will serve approprite jail time.

Is admitting taking “liberties” the same as admitting guilt?

By Roger

July 18, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

I think that others should be charged too. What kind of oversight was there on this organization? What kind of bank allows checks from any business be written to the authorized person in the amounts necessary to involve a half million dollars?

I agree with the names involved it will get white washed and nobody will serve approprite jail time.

Is admitting taking “liberties” the same as admitting guilt?

By Roger

July 18, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

I think that others should be charged too. What kind of oversight was there on this organization? What kind of bank allows checks from any business be written to the authorized person in the amounts necessary to involve a half million dollars?

I agree with the names involved it will get white washed and nobody will serve approprite jail time.

Is admitting taking “liberties” the same as admitting guilt?

By Get Real

July 18, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

Kevin AND Scott are both very wrong. She provided evidence against herself by admitting taking “liberties”, AND paying $ 70,000 in restitution. This woman is as guilty and crooked as they come. She couldn’t have possibly done all this without the knowledge and or accomplice of others. The smartest thing she can do is to plead guilty, apologize, and throw herself at the mercy of the court. Everyone keep blogging your opinions. I can’t imagine how Scott thinks he can shut everyone up just because he dosn’t like what they have to say. Such arrogance is truly rare indeed.

By Scott Baker

July 18, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

Wow. Get Real, you’re a moron. I’m not trying to shut people up because I don’t like what they have to say. I pointed out that if their goal is to keep the trial here, they shouldn’t say dumb things like you just did. She’s clearly not pleading guilty, which means there will be a trial, and unless the defense can prove that the local jury pool is prejudiced it will be here in Waco. But if you want to see the trial moved, then by all means, continue tainting the jury pool. It’s not arrogance to have common sense.

By LV

July 18, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

What is there to prove? She admitted taking “liberties”(stealing more’s like it) with the money. Must be nice to take such liberties. Changing sites, who does she think she is the queen of England, but it’ll happen because of her “status” in the community. She knew what she was doing with those checks, she probably thought she’d never get caught. Mrs. Mills when you play with fire you always end up getting burned.

By Dusty

July 18, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

The bank has nothing to do with who the checks are written to, it’s not for them to monitor. The person (Mills) was authorized to write them from the account. Bad move on Waco’s part. Mr. Mills didn’t know of any of this going on? Did she write more to people within the Organization? How many people in Waco benefitted from her “trusted” position? Just how many other positions around Waco in past years did Mills hold where she was trusted with money accounts?

By HSBSkier

July 18, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

I still believe the Board should be on trial as well… attention span of a gnat.

By Mister Mojo

July 18, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

She’s just like every rich punk who ever lived in Waco. The laws were meant for those people, meaning all us poor folk, and not for her. She took the money because she felt she was entitled to it. Plain and simple. The “good old boy” show has been going on in Waco since the 1850’s and isn’t about to slow down now. She’ll get a trial in Waco, and it’ll be a trial by judge. Probation will be the order of the day for her. The change of venue request is just for show. It’ll be denied. And this venue is the only way our voices will be heard. This is only one of the rare instances where the “good old boy” system broke down and word got out. The benevolent parasites who run everything in Waco usually do a much better job of keeping the lid on. You’d all be surprised.

By Dusty

July 18, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

Downtown Waco’s board received a restitution check for $70,000 in September 2006 that was written on an account from Coke Mills’ former law firm. Coke Mills is Margaret Mills’ husband. She acknowledged at the time that she had taken some “liberties” with Downtown Waco Inc. accounts. This is just to show the Court that she is making moves to “right a wrong”, in hoping that the 67 year old will get probation. BUT remember, this is a First Degree Felony. She didn’t write & sign one or two checks…it was 116 checks!! Martha did time…so can Margaret!!

By Cokehead Mills Jr.

July 18, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

The Banker In Question you mentioned should have been looking at the checks as they were drawn on his bank made out to cash.! DUH

He should have been interested because HE WAS PRESIDENT OF DWI. Not some random BANKER!!

This was the REAL WELLS FARGO INCIDENT, only later did one of his employees notice the lax management and decide to steal 100k from a bank customer in HUBBARD!!

I TO THINK THE BOARD WILL BE EVENTUALLY CALLED TO TESTIFY! The reality is Mrs. Mills is not that bright, she is a petty criminal, former shoplifter, ask area merchants, this will come up at trial. PROMISE!!

By Get Real

July 18, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

You guys keep the comments coming! I love to see how they eat Scott’s lunch. The Little whiney sissy can’t stand to see the light shed on his crooked little Waco high society bunch. The trial isn’t moving anywhere you idiot. She’ll be tried and convicted right here in Waco. Then the crooked legal system and Waco power brokers will tap her lightly on the wrist a couple of times. You should know that since you’re one of their pawns.

By Kevin

July 18, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

As the executive director of any entity one would think that expenses do arise, remember this is over a 17 year period, though no admission to guilt has been made, and serpentine tongues will wag about the whole ordeal, I still believe that the proper and fair judgment will be made. If a community does get justifiably disgusted of their civic and judicial leaders there are times and places where those leaders can be replaced, that time is voting day. Though here we are talking about a private not-for-profit organization, who by law have to keep their records available to the public, my question is where are all the records now? Are they in evidence? If so 17 years worth of documents is ALOT of paper! I believe that the $70,000 payment was meant for monies that may have been used for expenses related to functions of the organization, I have seen no reason to believe otherwise. As to the slanderous remarks made within this comment section, I have seen no arrest affidavits, court dates, or any other “things” to base a foundation of the claims. For what it’s worth one might as well be reading an opinion page from the Enquirer

By Jack McCoy

July 18, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

Scott, the chance of this being a jury trial are about as good GWBush winning a spelling contest.
You act like the vast majority of Waco’s “Im so proud to be ignorant because I either ‘Git R Dun’ or ‘Keep It Real’” populace actually read the newspaper, or have access to the Internets to read your comments. The sad truth is that 75% of Waco probably has no idea who Margaret Mills is and they don’t care. Let’s not pretend like finding an impartial jury in Waco will be impossible. The beauty of the jury system is that the lawyers want people who have no idea what is going on in the world around them. Defense lawyers might want to look into moving all jury trials to Waco, TX.
Besides, Lady Mills and her lawyer will be getting a judge decided-home cooked trial served up for them anyway.

Gotta go, Connie and I have to go grab an afternoon coffee.

By Get Real

July 18, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

Kevin, What about the “liberties” part. Come on man you can’t be that naive. You’re either her attorney, or an immediate family member. Either way your defense of this white collar crook is baseless, shameless, and blind. The police don’t arrest rich, powerful white people unless they have a very solid case with plenty of evidence. The ramifications would be too great otherwise.

By Kevin

July 18, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

see definition of liberties I see no inference in that definition to the admission of, possibility of, nor even a slight connotation of guilt.

By Joe

July 18, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

I just want to know where? or how is fred???

By WakeUpWaco

July 18, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

There are steps that ordinary citizens can take to see that this situation is thoroughly investigated. Call the IRS to complain about the Mills (the IRS requires that taxes be paid on all income-even stolen money). Call the Texas Attorney General’s office which has oversight with respect to tax exempt organizations and demand that the entire Downtown Waco, Inc. board be investigated. Call the Federal and Texas banking regulators to demand an investigation of the complicity of certain local banks and bankers in Mills’ theft. This is a rare opportunity to deal a blow to the corruption that has plagued Waco for so long. Don’t let it pass.

By Get Real

July 18, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

Kevin- maybe you see no inference because your head is stuck in the sand. (or somewhere else). I’m sure the DWI board saw no inference niether. You should join this band of crooks if you’re not already one of them. You certainly seem to think alike. Look at the bright side. You and Scott can start a support group after the trial. You two can hug each other and cry together while you reminisce about the days you didn’t have to include convicted emezzeling felons among your ranks.

By Kevin

July 18, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

I assure anyone that may wonder where my head is at, it is above ground and setting nicely on my neck. I really have only met the Mills once and to me they seemed to be a very amicable couple, I have not met Scott Baker, nor am I a well connected individual. I am however able to make informed, or soundly based conclusions about current events. I also believe that I am above making venomous comments to strangers. This comment area is supposed to be a discussion forum towards the publics thoughts about the situation reference in the article above. Not an arena for ridicule and the demoralization of individuals.

By El Diablo

July 18, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

Fred couldn’t post today. “He” had a court date this morning. But have no fear, Fred will post tonight!!

By Amy

July 18, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

Her actions are unexcuseable, and is getting special treatment. This is a shame, shame, shame.

By Get Real

July 18, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

Kevin-Why is it that the most arrogant ego-maniacs in Waco,sit on their pity pots with their thumbs in their mouths and whine when they don’t like being confronted with the truth? Ridicule and demoralization? You should read your own entries….OBJECTIVELY!!!

By Scott Baker

July 18, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

Get a clue, Get Real. I’m nobody’s pawn and frankly, no one has faced more challenges in the wake of this scandal than I have. I’m the one who has had to pick up the pieces and lead organizations to do the work that DWI couldn’t do any more, remember? And more has happened Downtown since Mills left than in the previous 10 years. I’m not on anyone’s “side” about anything. I’m here to support and build up Waco. I don’t know Kevin, but at least he’s got some common sense and a basic understanding of the justice system. I don’t care where the trial is held so long as it is fair and justice is served. But it’s amusing that the people who do want the trial here are doing everything they can to argue for the defense.

Jack, good point.

And, Get Real, this is where we stop talking until you find the courage to use your real name. I don’t accept insults from people without the courage or decency to use their name when they do it. I proudly stand behind my words and deeds. I’m sorry you can’t do the same.

By Wacoan

July 18, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

I’m with you Scott Baker.

By Wacoan

July 18, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

Her attorney could use this comment section to prove his point.

By Get Real

July 18, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

Wow, sure touched a sore spot with the Scott Baker bunch. Truth hurts doesn’t it. I’m glad you won’t respond anymore. I really don’t like reading the posts of elitist ego-maniacs dumb enough to use their real name in cyber-space. In the mean time I’m sure you’ll enjoy talking to the crooked snakes in your mutual admiration society.

By Robbed Wacoan

July 18, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

Who really cares if Ms. Mills can get a fair trial? You do the crime u serve the time. My parents have always told me that if someone will lie to your face they will steal from u too. Ms. Mills appears to be intelligent but then again looks are deceitful. You know if she didn’t do anything wrong then y give $70,000.00 restitution?????????? Keep the trial in Waco and let her face the citizens that she stole from!

By larry self

July 18, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

She should be held accountable where she did the crime. Moving the trial would be totally wrong. We all know when it is said and done she will get probation. This is Waco and they will take care of her. This will keep her from calling other guilty names in this. Take care of me and i will take care of you. This is Waco and thats just the way it is.

By CC

July 18, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this

Why did Kevin say this was over a 17 year period? It started in 2003…..ended in 2006 when she was caught. She is GUILTY…GUILTY…GUILTY. Its a waste of taxpayers money and time for a jury trial. She has already said she did it. Rich snob. She deserves what she gets. A cell!!!!

By Tommy

July 18, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this

The best way to see justice done, is to let the trial happen here. I know everyone thinks that a Waco Judge will just hand her down easy probation, but there is a catch. That judge still has to get re-elected here to their highly prized elected position.

But the last thing people should want is the trial to be moved somewhere else. The Mills family has been involved in politics all over the state, and most people wouldn’t know if it went to a “friendly” judge somewhere else that wouldn’t have to answer to Waco voters.

People are fed up with the corruption in the government regardless of if it’s officials taking a hunting trip as a bribe for a contract, stealing government services, giving themselves unearned raises, getting paid more money for compromising our safety by privatizing, or just out and out stealing money.

But keep the trial in Waco, so the public will know if they have an honorable judge or another corrupt official they need to vote out of the courthouse.

By Patience

July 18, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this

She started paying the money back. Why does this require a trail? I know, I know, you are entitled to one.
McLennan County is where it should be. That is where the crime took place and the defendant and witnesses live. Why cost everyone even more money with traveling and possible lodging when it is not necessary? The citizens have a right to be able to attend the trial of someone who allegedly, single-handedly brought down a fine organization. I am waiting to see who else is going down myself. Bankers, lawyers, assistants, family?

By Low Society

July 19, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

Scott Baker says, “And more has happened Downtown since Mills left than in the previous 10 years.”

That’s part of the problem. It’s amazing what the money that was given to DWI can do, when it’s not buying drugs, homes or furniture. And, people allegedly knew, and, for various reasons, looked the other way. That may not show up in court papers. There is frequently a scapegoat in these things. But, her history was well known prior to the “big bang”. I even knew some of it, and I’m decidedly out of the loop. She even wrote a hot check to a local charity!

By Fred

July 21, 2008 7:10 AM | Link to this

Scott “Babbit” Baker (manager of the haunted Hippodrome theatre and Waco Chamber flunky) is one of the FRIENDS of Margaret Mills and the other criminal sleeze-bags (Vaughn etc.) involved in the half-million dollar theft of public funds. That whole Waco Chamber bunch are as “thick as thieves” with Margaret Mills. Scott Baker is praying for a change of venue and probation to keep the old wench from “singing like a Canary” in open-court. They are sweating bullets at Waco City Hall and the Greater Waco Chamber of Idiots. Scott Baker is one of the Waco Chamber “gophers” and “wanna-bees”. They have him “hopping around” and “yapping” at the media. These blogs are actually one of his “flunky” jobs for the Chamber and DMA. Don’t get mad at poor Scott Baker…….he’s just doing what he’s told and kissing-A.

By Scott Baker

July 21, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

You’re an idiot and a chump, Fred. The saddest thing is that you probably actually believe the dribble you spew. It’s about time you took my name out of your mouth, though. If I had your real name, I’d sue you for libel. There’s not a word of truth to anything you’ve said about me.