Paula Deen's Former Housekeeper Pleads Guilty to Stealing From Star

By Sarah Crow Posted Dec 21st 2010 01:00PM

Food Network star Paula Deen has a little extra to be thankful for this holiday season now that the woman who robbed her is facing the consequences of her actions.

Mary Alice White, a former housekeeper for Deen and her husband, Michael Groover, has pleaded guilty to stealing and pawning $27,500 worth of jewelry from the couple.

SavannahNow reports that White, who has operated under the aliases Mary Keter and Mary Singleton in the past, will serve 18 months in jail for her crimes, followed by a lengthy probation. She is also required to pay $6000 to Deen and Groover.

Deen told Judge Michael Karpf of White's deceptive nature, "Mary was a master at making you think she cares about you. ... She used our love and kindness against us."

White, whom Groover described as "like family," already had a criminal past when she signed on to work for Deen, having been sentenced for theft in 1993 as well.

While the conviction may serve as a minor consolation to Deen and Groover, the chef told Karpf, "The scars she left behind emotionally can't begin to be measured. Our hearts are sad."

Tags: paula deen

Comments

(56)

Tuesday 21 December

By debi, birmingham,alabama

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I cannot believe that someone could take advantage of the sweet and trusting soul of Paula Deen and her family..my heart goes out to them and to the person who betrayed her...Bless you Paula Deen

Wednesday 22 December

By BTDT

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"will serve 18 months in jail for her crimes"

Don't drop the soap y'all.

By Alan

It could have been much, much worse for Paula Deen. Her housekeeper could have stolen all the butter out of the kitchen!

By lk

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

butt hole.

By Lisa

Besides stealing all the butter, she would have
stolen all the heavy cream.

By Geesie

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I love Paula Deen but that was a good one Alan!!!

By Sylvia

Wish she would invite me down for Christmas. UMMM Good food.

By Mary Ann Lamb

It is so sad that people are so mean and take advantage of other's the way they do. This world is so full of hatred, if people would live by the golden rule, like I was taught as a child, this world would be a much better place to live. Good for Paula and her husband to prosecute her, that is what she deserves. People like her housekeeper, make us good people look bad.

By Debbe

I am a little saddened though that the woman will only get a short jail term, and probably will only have to serve less than half of even that. Then to only have to pay back 6,000 dollars even though she took close to 27k? I truly believe theives get off the hook here, and with no harsh penalties it just allows people to continue to steal and not think twice about it since they know even if they DO get caught, it is not a whole lot of trouble. My opinion is this, if they can steal from you, they can harm you, and they are not trusted in society, more jail time needs to be put in place.

By Julymoon

This is awful u steal from one of the sweetest personalities, good grief and then we want to know why people now days are so untrusting. I'm sure Paula paid you well she gave u a break when know one else would, you were already a convicted thief. Same on you.

By Lidia

Mary Alice is a user,a thief,a jailmate.
The best thing for her is to be in jail on Christmas day ..
Paula is a nice 70 year old lady that trusted MaryAlice into her home.
Stay in jail ....MaryAlice...you are no good.

paula is 62 or 63, not 70.

By speweth

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you butt hole

By badass

she'll just keep stealing in jail. they never learn.

By josabean1

Lidia...you stole Paula's youth...She is NOT 70. LOL

By Alma Garrett

Paula, So sorry for the loss of not only your personal items,(which can be replaced) but more so your heart felt trust. May you be able to one day trust someone with your heart and home. Thanks to the court for the punishment. May God Bless you and your family. May he allow you to have trust again. God Love you.

By Sonya Nolan

The fact remains, you just can't help people. You try and give them a chance and this is the thanks you get. You just have to stay on top of people.

By Teri

If the woman already had a theft conviction, why in the world would Deen hire her? Ever heard of background check? And if she knew about the conviction and hired her anyway, well..live and learn.

By sadie

Because she has such a good heart she wanted to give that person a second chance.

By Michelle

I didn't know Michael Karpf was still a judge. I remember when he started off as a judge in Recorder's Court.

Sad that Paula and her husband had this happen. I hope next time they do a background check.

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