By Gregory Korte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The White House apologized Thursday to the owners of a Fairfield business after President Bush praised the woman who stole $308,170 from them as a "good soul."

Susan Morin, the owner of Gorman Supply Inc., said her daughters received a response to an e-mail they sent to the president after reading about his speech in Cincinnati on Monday. The apology, which came in a return e-mail, said the White House advance staff wasn't aware that the woman hadn't paid back any of the restitution she owed to the victims.

Bush, speaking at a Corryville halfway house, touted the "inspirational" story of convicted embezzler Tami Jordan, who served a three-year sentence and now works as a job placement manager helping other ex-offenders get jobs.

But except for money that was garnished from her check for six months while she was in Talbert House, Jordan still hasn't paid restitution. Gorman Supply still has an unpaid judgment against her and her accomplice husband for more than $313,765 - plus interest from 2000.

The official apology came hours after the Morins' story was front-page news in the Enquirer. Morin said she's upset that the White House didn't do its homework on Jordan, but mostly angry at Jordan herself for agreeing to be on stage with the president.

"Would you put yourself on national television to be on with the president if you embezzled all this money from people? Would you want people to know that? I wouldn't," Morin said.

Morin said she also got a call Thursday from Teri Nau, the director of community relations at the Talbert House. She told Morin that they "didn't realize there was another part to the story" and tried to arrange a face-to-face meeting between the two women. Morin declined.

"She didn't have any remorse what she did to me," Morin said. She said she first wants to see restitution - even a small amount like $10 a month - as an acknowledgement of wrongdoing.

Talbert House executives won't discuss the case publicly, citing client confidentiality rules. Jordan has not returned phone calls to her home and cellular phones seeking comment.

E-mail gkorte@enquirer.com