Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 11-24-15 Edition

Features
Woman Who Dedicated Her Life To Helping Others Retires
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
When she was 10 years old, Altemese McNealy gathered neighborhood kids and lead them to Sunday School every week. In 2001, she officially started feeding the less fortu- nate a hot Thanksgiving meal.
Now 88, Ms. McNealy said this is her last year of serv- ing the public. She said she’s no happy about the decision, because with limited funds and aging, she only was going to hand out about 75 bags of food to the needy.
“I wish I could feed people every day, but I don’t have the funds to do that. Instead, I re- cruit the help of others, includ- ing my church family.”
Ms. McNealy wakes up every morning at 5:30 a.m. and volunteers at an elemen- tary school, every day of the school year, teaching 5-year- olds the alphabet and basic preparation for grade school. Some even come to her to have their shoes tied or fix their
clothing properly, because they have to dress themselves. All of the kids call her grandma, and she’s constantly hugged and surrounded by
dozens of children.
“I have to remind them not
to squeeze so hard to knock me down,” said Ms. McNealy.
“I married my husband when he came home from WWII in 1945. He died about a decade ago. Aside from my own child, I’ve raised 8 or- phaned kids and fed many hungry children along the way.”
Ms. McNealy hopes someone else will pick up where she left off, and con- tinue to serve the community and the children who desper- ately need it.
“So many things are tear- ing families apart these days, and I believe if we get together and care enough, we can turn things around.
“I’ll always believe people have the strength to change. It’s the will that needs to be nurtured.”
Woman Linked To Police Gets 12 Years For ‘Drop’
RITA GIRVEN
... sentenced to 12 years on Friday
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
In March 2015, Ms. Rita Girven, accused of commit- ting federal income tax fraud wagered a deal with the U. S. Attorney’s Office. In the plea bargain, she admitted to re- ceiving $33,002 as the crime.
Last Friday, in addition to 12 years in federal prison, Ms. Girven received a tongue lashing from U. S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Ko- vachevich. In open court, Judge Kovachevich called her “a failure” and said she should “consider herself fortu- nate.”
LAJOYCE HOUSTON
Judge Kovachevich sen- tenced her on the lower end of the sentencing guidelines. She also ordered her to pay $2.4 million in restitution to the U. S. government.
According to officials, Ms. Girven used the identifica- tions of 508 victims to file the false tax returns.
When she was arrested in August 2013, she was charged with violation of probation and several other charges. But, Ms. Girven was well known to employees of the Tampa Po- lice Department as a longtime informant.
She had forged friendships with several of the officers and civilian employees as well. Three of those individuals are now facing criminal charges and possible prison time.
Ms. Tonia Bright, a civil- ian employee with 33 years of employment, retired after being linked to Ms. Girven’s criminal activities.
She was not the only one. In October 2013, then Sgt.
ERIC HOUSTON
LaJoyce Houston was ar- rested and charged with food stamp fraud. Ms. Houston was heard talking about food stamps with Ms. Girven while she (Girven) was in jail.
Ms. Houston later used the food stamp card at a local grocery store. She was also fired from the Tampa Police Department.
Tampa Police launched an investigation and in April 2014, her husband, former Homicide Detective Eric Houston was suspended and later fired.
The Houstons had opened their hearts and home to one of Ms. Girven’s in- fants. The couple later adopted the little girl. They were in- dicted in October 2015.
Other family members are caring for the three remaining children.
All three of the former Tampa Police Department em- ployees have pleaded not guilty. No trial dates have been set in any of the cases.
PAGE 2 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015