>From the Hilltop Express Newspaper, Monterey, TN http://www.hilltopexpress.net Book sales continue in spite of bankruptcy filing and criminal sentence By Dale Welch dale@hilltopexpress.net Mary Hopson, a Cookeville, Tenn. author, said that her current book sales will continue, even after she had filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Hopson filed the bankruptcy shortly after she was sentenced to a total of eight years (Circuit Court Clerk notes say Tennessee Department of Corrections, 4 years at a standard 30-percent consecutive on case numbers 95-0012 and 95-0014; Community Corrections, 4 years). Her latest book "Comprehensive Pictorial History of Putnam County, Tennessee, Vol. 1," she said, is the first of a six-volume set to be printed. Originally, she advertised and pre-sold the book as a 1,000-page work, but has since changed to the six-volume set. Hopson said that those who pre-ordered would get the first three when printed. In a email to the Hilltop Express publisher, Dale Welch, she said book sales of the first volume and pre-sales of future volumes would continue. "Fact is," Hopson stated, "these books don't belong to me, I have not signed a contract with anyone concerning these books because they do not belong to me." The first volume, including the index, has around 255 pages. It is hardback bound and has several pages that appear to be faded. Several photos and stories are included. Some of the stories included had been originally been written by Hilltop Express publisher Dale Welch for the newspaper and other previous publications and other contributors. Contributors of articles and photos had nothing to do with the sale of the book. Hopson does not have permission from Dale Welch to use any more of his articles. Hopson was convicted by a jury on Nov. 21, 2006 on a charge of theft of between $10,000 - $60,000 in Putnam County Criminal Court. According to court records, Hopson stole money over a period of time from her employers, Shirley and Reba Roberson, who own Stor-N-Lock, in Cookeville. Once confronted she paid a portion of it back, but once convicted by jury of the theft, owes restitution to the Robersons totaling $27,913, court records state. Because of the conviction on the theft charges, her probation on other charges dating back to the 1990s were also revoked. Hopson was granted four years of judicial diversion on Nov. 17, 1997 after she pled guilty to charges of fraudulent acts or devices in connection with the sale of a security. That conviction involved the sale of another one of her books. The judicial diversion was extended in Nov., 2001, but because of the felony theft conviction, Judge John Maddux had it fully revoked early this year. Instead of prison time, Hopson was sentenced to Community Corrections Probation and has to follow a list of over 20 restrictions, including house arrest. cannot have a firearm, being liable for all court cost/fines/restitution, etc. Just days after her Jan. 25, 2007 sentencing for the theft, Hopson filed her bankruptcy proceeding on Jan. 30. The Putnam Circuit Court Clerk was notified on Feb. 21. A website that was previously listed for the books at: www.putnamhistory.com was not working over the weekend. In an advertisement, Hopson said that she could be reached at 750 E. Hudgens St., Cookeville, TN or at phone number: 931-520-1935 about her current book