Charleston Daily Mail, W.Va., George Hohmann column [Charleston Daily Mail, W.Va.]

Feb. 09--United States District Judge John Copenhaver's sentencing of Bonnie Bain on Monday for embezzling from BB&T is a head-scratcher.

The bank said it lost $1.2 million. Prosecutors had alleged Bain took at least $640,000. Bain contended she took $293,000.

At Monday's hearing, Assistant Prosecutor Susan Robinson and Chief Public Defender Mary Lou Newberger said they had settled on a figure of $293,376 for sentencing and restitution purposes.

The 60-year-old Belle woman was sentenced to 30 months in a federal prison and ordered to pay $250 a month to the bank until the amount is paid in full.

If Bain indeed pays $250 a month, she will pay off the $293,376 when she is 157 years old.

BB&T spokesman David White was asked to comment. His reply: "BB&T accepts the judge's decision in this matter."

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Ken Greear, executive vice president of operations at United Bank Inc., is leaving the bank in September, Rick Adams, the bank's president, said through a spokeswoman.

In response to a query Adams said, "Ken Greear has decided to pursue an opportunity outside of banking and will be leaving United in September of this year. He will be taking advantage of a unique situation to go into the insurance business with his son in Columbus, Ohio.

"For many years Ken has provided solid leadership to our operations group and to our company. His expertise is highly regarded in the industry, and his presence at our company will be greatly missed. Ken has always given United his 100-percent effort, and we are appreciative of his significant contribution to our company."

In addition to his job at United, Greear is chairman of the West Virginia Lottery Commission.

Greear will remain active with the lottery commission, Lottery Director John Musgrave said through spokeswoman Nikki Orcutt.

Orcutt added, "We're happy and excited he will remain active on the commission. He's been an active and valuable resource for the lottery."

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Happy Birthday to Otmer Shamblin of Cross Lanes, who will celebrate his 100th birthday on Sunday.

Shamblin worked for Union Carbide Corp. on Blaine Island from 1945 to 1972.

Vivian Knight, his daughter, said Shamblin got his driver's license renewed on Tuesday. "It expires in 2017," she said. "Isn't that a lark? He said it's the best present he could have ever had."

Knight said there will be an open house for friends and relatives at Shamblin's home on Sunday afternoon.

Ed Ballard, regional director of the Carbide Retiree Corps, said he plans to stop by to give Shamblin a cake, a blanket emblazoned with a Union Carbide logo, and a congratulatory letter from Andrew Liveris, chairman and chief executive officer of The Dow Chemical Co. (Dow bought Carbide in 2001).

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