A Georgia con artist is accused of fraudulently marrying Steve Harvey’s radio show co-host, Shirley Strawberry, and using her notoriety to scam at least 25 victims out of more than $750,000.
Earnest Williams, 57, also known as “Nesto,” was indicated by a Fulton County Grand Jury on April 23 on 39 counts of fraud, according to court documents.
“From at least December 1, 2009, through June 30, 2022, Earnest Williams engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity in Fulton County, Georgia, elsewhere in the State of Georgia, and in other states,” documents filed with the Fulton Superior Court state.
Williams, who had passed himself off under the guise of a flourishing businessman, allegedly stole hundreds of thousands from his victims, including “personal vehicles, motorcycles, coach buses, trailers, automotive parts, and other various services and property.”
The serial scammer allegedly swindled the victims, primarily women, when he “promised to help” them with “new business ventures, to promote their existing business ventures, or to help them build their brand or image.”
“He would pretend to be a legitimate businessman, but he was stealing from people,” Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis told WSB-TV on Thursday.
The historic schemer “often used the illusion of romantic or close personal relationships with those victims to manipulate them and to steal from them,” according to the documents.
Williams’ ability to scam was fueled by his marriage to Shirley Strawberry — the co-host of “The Steve Harvey Morning Show.”
The documents allege he “knowingly entered into a fraudulent marriage with Shirley Strawberry” and used her “high-profile celebrity” to coerce his victims into believing his legitimacy as a prominent businessman.
Strawberry, 63, married Williams in January 2015.
However, Williams’ marriage to Strawberry was a ruse from the start.
“We believe she met a man, fell in love, and married him, and the truth is, at the time, he was already married to someone else,” Willis told the outlet.
The popular radio host filed for divorce on April 17, though court records show they had been separated since March 2022.
Williams “recruited multiple co-conspirators,” most notably Erica King, also known as Ericka Hughley or Ericka Hughley Rothschild, during his over a decade-long run of scheming victims.
Williams allegedly “solicited King to fraudulently assume the identities of multiple attorneys licensed to practice law in Georgia to deceive law enforcement and the courts, including by appearing in court and by falsely and fraudulently representing Williams in hearings.”
King, 46, is listed as a co-conspirator on 19 of the 39 indictments filed against Williams.
Williams and King were arrested in October 2023 after Roswell police caught wind of their schemes.
Willis told the outlet about the Grand Jury’s decision to indict Williams under the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act.
Court records show that Williams’ public defender, Shawn Hoover, filed a plea agreement for Williams on April 26.
A hearing for the plea agreement was set for Wednesday, but the court did not list if a decision was made.
Five of the fraud counts Williams is facing exceed $24,999 in value, and if found guilty, they carry a two to 20-year sentence.
Another 10 counts are under $25,000, which carries a one to 10-year sentence.
If found guilty of filing a false marriage license in that state of Georgia, Williams can face up to one to 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000.
He is currently being held at the Cobb County jail. His next court appearance has not been set.
