You know her voice. It's the one that’s been part of your morning routine for decades, offering calm advice on the "Strawberry Letter" and keeping things steady on The Steve Harvey Morning Show. Shirley Strawberry has always been the voice of reason. She’s the one who tells people when their relationships are a mess or when they need to walk away. But then, life decided to flip the script.
Honestly, the situation involving shirley strawberry and husband Earnest Williams (better known to many as Ernesto) is the kind of thing you’d expect to hear in a radio drama, not read about in a Fulton County indictment. It’s messy. It’s complicated. And for a long time, fans were just scratching their heads wondering how the "First Lady of Radio" ended up in the middle of a RICO case.
The Dream Wedding That Wasn't
Let’s go back to 2015. Shirley and Earnest got married in a high-profile ceremony that felt like a fairytale. Steve Harvey himself walked her down the aisle. It was supposed to be her happy ending. But according to investigators in Georgia, the foundation of that marriage was shaky from day one.
Why? Because Earnest Williams was reportedly already married.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis didn't mince words when the news broke. She basically said that Shirley was a victim of a "fraudulent marriage." Prosecutors allege that Earnest used the marriage—and Shirley's massive public platform—to create an image of success. He wasn't just a husband; he was allegedly a predator using his wife’s shine to lure in victims for various scams.
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The 39-Count Reality Check
By the time 2024 rolled around, the legal walls finally closed in. In May 2024, a grand jury indicted Earnest Williams on 39 counts, including violating the Georgia RICO Act. We aren't talking about small-time stuff here. The allegations involve stealing over $750,000 from at least 25 different victims over a 12-year span.
The scams were varied:
- Issuing bad checks for luxury vehicles and motorcycles.
- Taking money for RVs and trailers that never materialized.
- Pretending to be a legitimate businessman to gain trust.
- Using romantic relationships to manipulate women into giving him money.
Perhaps the wildest part of the whole saga is the involvement of Ericka King. She was a co-defendant who allegedly pretended to be an attorney to represent Earnest in court. She even used the name of a real lawyer to pull it off. King eventually took a plea deal in June 2024, admitting to her role while claiming she was also a victim of Earnest's manipulation.
Where Shirley Strawberry Stands Now
People keep asking: "Did she know?"
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It’s the question that haunted social media for months. Shirley has remained professional on the air, but the legal documents tell a story of a woman who was blindsided. While there was a confusing moment where an affidavit surfaced—one that seemed to support Earnest—most experts agree she was navigating a nightmare.
In April 2024, just days before the major arrest, Shirley filed for divorce. It was a move to reclaim her life. By October 2024, that divorce was finalized. She didn't just walk away; she ran.
Moving into 2026, Shirley is still a staple on the Steve Harvey Morning Show. She’s still the woman we love, but she’s clearly weathered a storm that would have broken most people. She’s focused on her career and her daughter, proving that even the person giving the advice sometimes has to take a hard dose of their own medicine.
Actionable Takeaways from the Shirley Strawberry Story
While we watch these headlines as entertainment, there are real-world lessons in how this unfolded.
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Verify legal status. It sounds cynical, but "bigamy" is still a thing that happens in the modern world. If you are entering a high-stakes union, a simple background check or a look at public records isn't "distrust"—it's due diligence.
Protect your brand. Shirley’s notoriety was used as a tool for fraud. If you have a public platform or a strong reputation, be wary of anyone who seems a bit too eager to use your name to "open doors" for business deals you aren't personally overseeing.
Listen to the red flags. Looking back at the timeline, there were signs of financial trouble years before the RICO indictment, including a 2017 lawsuit over unpaid rent. Often, the big explosion is preceded by small sparks.
The power of a clean break. Shirley’s decision to finalize the divorce and move forward publicly shows that you can't fix a situation built on a lie. Sometimes, the only way to save your future is to completely sever ties with the past, no matter how much it hurts to do it in front of the whole world.