“Ernesto” Williams: What Is Happening To Shirley Strawberry’s Estranged Husband?

On April 23, a Fulton County Grand Jury indicted Earnest “Ernesto” Williams, the estranged husband of Harvey Morning Show anchor Shirley Strawberry, on 39 charges of fraud.

The records submitted to the Fulton County Superior Court stated that Williams “engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity in Georgia, and in other states” from at least December 1, 2009, through June 30, 2022.

Williams is said to be known as a “serial scammer” as he poses as a prosperous businessman to deceive his victims who are primarily women, with promises of assistance to promote their existing business ventures and help them start a new one.

The Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis stated:

“He (Ernesto) would pose as a respectable businessman, but he was stealing from people taking their money, vehicles, and other assets.”

In order to gain access to more victims, he is also accused of using his marriage to Shirley Strawberry to create an impression of success.

According to court filings, Williams intentionally married Shirley Strawberry to leverage their union to advance his fraudulent enterprises.

He is said to have been able to defraud over 25 individuals to about $750,000 over the course of 12 years.

Thought Williams and Shirley got married in January 2015, information available shows he remained married to Edith Williams, his first wife. In addition, it seems that he has knotted four times since then.

The District Attorney stated that, “We think she met a man, fell in love with him, and married him without knowing he was already married to someone else.”

Williams and Shirley split in March 2022 , but the court records state that Strawberry filed for divorce on April 17.

Williams was indicted by a grand jury under the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO), according to the Fulton County District Attorney’s office.

Among the 39 indictments brought against Williams, 19 named King as a co-conspirator.

According to court documents, Williams’ public lawyer, Shawn Hoover, submitted a plea deal on his behalf on April 26. However, it is unclear if a decision was made in the end.

Williams may receive a two- to 20-year term if proven guilty of any of the five fraud crimes, which have a combined value of about $24,999.