WHIDDON SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS

Forty-four year old Susan Whiddon, who stole over a million dollars from David Hicks and Associates Engineering Firm in Abbeville two years ago, received a 1.8 million dollar restitution and a 30 year prison sentence today in Henry County. Whiddon has served time in the county jail for the past two year, but District Attorney Doug Valeska says Whiddons final sentencing is a disgrace to the states judicial system. "So its a joke, 30 years, I can kill you with a gun or I can kill you with a pen, which way do you want to die," says Valeska. Officials say Whiddon not only stole the money, but spent $60,000 of it on jewelry, guns and cars, money business owner David Hicks needs for retirement. "I feel the judge shouldve made her reveal where all the assets are in this case, I believe we should know as victims," says Hicks. Hicks wife Eva says Whiddon`s crime has robbed their children of their inheritance. "Dont misunderstand me, were happy and were blessed, but my husband has been wronged. He earned every dime of that money, no one has every given him anything," says Mrs. Hicks. Valeska says under Alabama law, Whiddon will probably only serve 3 to 4 years, which he says sends out the wrong message to white collar criminals--you do the crime, but may not do the time.