Sutter Creek – Sutter Creek resident and local contractor Bruce “Buddy” White, 61, was sentenced October 13 for four felony counts related to embezzlement and white collar crime, according to a release from Amador County District Attorney Todd Riebe. The charges stem from White’s diversion of construction funds in the building of Mel and Faye’s Diner in Jackson. Problems began to arise after subcontractors came to the restaurant’s owners, Bart and Maura Gillman, requesting payment for their work either because they would not deal with White directly or they had been told by White to seek payment from the Gillmans. One contractor was told by White that he could not pay him for his work because White was out of money. White directed the subcontractor to the Gillmans for payment. At the time White refused payment of the $7000 bill, he had $28,000 in his bank account. White promised the Gillmans that he would credit them with the $7000 payment, however, the Gillmans were never credited for that or any other payment they made for subcontractors. White continuously requested payment from the Gillmans which he claimed he needed to pay the subcontractors and finish the job. Riebe said the Gillmans cashed in their stocks and bonds and raided their children’s college funds to pay White an additional $135,000. White admitted to not spending any of this money on the Mel and Faye’s project. By November of 2003, the Gillmans had paid White $735,000 in twelve installments plus an additional $200,000 the Gillmans paid to contractors. After White requested an additional $57,000, the Gillmans refused to pay and retained an attorney. The attorney filed a civil suit against White, eventually winning a verdict in the Gillman’s favor following a jury trial in 2007. At sentencing last week, victim Maura Gillman spoke of how White’s criminal conduct had exacted a devastating financial and emotional toll on her family. White was sentenced to 6 years in state prison which he suspended for a period of ten years on formal probation. As a condition of probation, White was ordered to serve 1 year in County Jail in the felony case and 90 days in County Jail consecutive for a subsequent contempt of court conviction. Among other requirements, White was ordered to pay $210,000 in victim restitution. Given White’s conduct in the case, his poor licensing record with the Contractors State Licensing Board, and his lack of remorse, Judge Robert Dale revoked White’s state contractor’s license. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.