Life Sentence for Accomplice
A Texas woman, Debra Mae Carter, has been sentenced to life in prison for her involvement in a scheme that defrauded elderly listeners of millions of dollars. Carter, 65, received the sentence on Tuesday following her conviction for money laundering on July 8, according to Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells.
The Scheme and Role
Carter, who represented herself and maintained her innocence, was imprisoned in Tarrant County. Sorrells described Carter as the lover of former Texas radio host William “Doc” Gallagher, who is currently serving three life terms for running what prosecutors termed a Ponzi scheme. “Gallagher’s main role in the scheme was to bring in money; Carter’s role was to make sure it was not recovered by the victims,” Sorrells explained.
Gallagher’s Involvement
Gallagher, 83, and his Gallagher Financial Group were well-known for advertising on Christian radio with the tagline, “See you in church on Sunday.” He also promoted his investment business through books and radio broadcasts. Gallagher was convicted in Tarrant County in 2021, following a 2019 conviction in Dallas County on similar charges, for which he was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Impact on Victims
The fraudulent scheme affected more than 170 investors, most of whom were retired, resulting in over $31 million in losses, Sorrells said. The severity of the crime and the extensive impact on the victims likely influenced the harsh sentence imposed on Carter.
Prosecutor’s Statement
Sorrells emphasized the significant damage caused by Gallagher and Carter’s actions, noting the exploitation of the elderly and the extensive financial harm inflicted on the victims. The life sentence handed to Carter reflects the gravity of her role in ensuring the victims’ money was irrecoverable.
