Gayla White, who spent years in public service, and her attorney discussed the verdict with News4's Ken Curtis.
DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) -Gayla White said she would gladly give up the half million dollars a jury awarded her if she could escape agony she suffered the past five years.
A jury on Tuesday ordered that she receive those damages from her former boss who, according to two juries, falsely accused White of embezzlement.
“My whole goal was to try and get something back of myself,” White told News 4 of why she filed the lawsuit against Windmill Station owner Eddie Donaldson.
Donaldson accused her of pocketing $5,700 in cash payments from soon-to-be brides who chose Windmill for their wedding receptions.
White, an engaged community member and public servant, was arrested amid disgrace, and her booking photo repeatedly regurgitated in newspapers and on television news broadcasts.
She lost her City of Dothan Planning Commissioner position and resigned from the Wiregrass 211 board of directors.
But perhaps most stinging was her dismissal from the new job she had gotten after leaving Donaldson on not-so-good terms.
COVID slowed her trek to trial, but the publicity never slowed.
Following years of delays, White finally stood trial in 2021′s summer, and after hearing days of testimony, jurors found her not guilty on all charges.
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