The judge flipped through the pages slowly and then raised an eyebrow and looked at Ben.
“This is everything?” He asked.
“Yes.” Ben confirmed.
His lawyer stood, buttoned his coat slowly, before he addressed the judge. “Your honor, now that my client has provided the requested documents, we would like Mrs. Landon to produce the same financial documents and disclose her expenditures, considering Mr. Landon was the sole financialprovider during the marriage.” Mr. Gatti’s lips stretched into a smarmy smile that didn’t reach his calculating eyes, “my client acknowledges that he made a mistake and deeply regrets it, but one mistake doesn’t undo a decade worth of providing for Mrs. Landon.”
My jaw dropped, and a disgruntled sound of disbelief escaped me before Penelope could shoot me a look.
“Mrs. Landon, do you have something you’d like to add?” The judge turned his scrutinizing eyes on me and narrowed them ever so slightly.
Penelope sighed and waved her hand in a ‘get up’ motion as she took her seat.
“Mr. Landon was not the sole provider for the last ten years. Actually, Mr. Landon wanted to be the sole provider, didn’t want me to work or complete my education, but I continued to work through the entirety of our marriage.” I corrected.
“What?” Ben stared at me like I’d grown a second head.
It just went to show how little attention he'd paid to my life all these years.
“I do all of the record keeping for my father’s business.” I continued and then clenched my jaw shut when Ben laughed.
“Oh, that. Yeah, she had a little side gig she did sometimes. It’s just a small pharmacy back in North Dakota.” Ben leaned back in his seat with a condescending smile.
For the first time in over a decade, I didn't understand what I had found so attractive about the man I married. Objectively, I could still see what drew women to him. The way his suit was custom-fitted to his broad shoulders-- revealing that he took care of his body; how everything he wore was perfectly in place down to the smallest of details, like matching his cuff links with his watch; his classically handsome face, with the strong jawline, stormy dark blue eyes, and full lips that werealmosttoo feminine for a man, but somehow just made him look kissable. I felt a jolt of shock when I realized that I had not felt a single flutter of arousal, attraction, or even love as I stared at my husband.
“No.” I glared at him, “it started as one pharmacy but together we’ve made some investments, and it’s grown into a small chain. That income is reported on our taxes every year.” I met the judge’s scrutiny with my chin held high. “I have no problem providing whatever financial documents they—” I waved my hand towards Ben and his lawyer “want to see.Ihave nothing to hide.”
The corners of the judge’s eyes crinkled slightly, and one side of his mouth twitched. I was pretty sure I had almost made thegrumpy man smile. I purposely kept my eyes straight ahead as I sat back down. Penelope rose to her feet just as my butt hit mine.
“Your honor, my client would like to submit to the court some financial documents that were compiled by the independent forensic accountant she hired. These documents will show that there are several properties, bank accounts, and investments that she was not aware of prior to filing for divorce, along with a very long record of extramarital expenditures.”
“I object.” Mr. Gatti shouted.
“Mr. Gatti… this isn’t that type of courtroom. Sit down.” The judge snapped and motioned for the bailiff to collect the documents from Penelope. “We are going to take a short recess while I review the documents. We will resume in thirty minutes.”
Penelope tilted her head towards the door and scooped up her belongings. We walked silently past Ben and Mr. Gatti, who were still seated with their head together, whispering frantically. They were so absorbed in their conversation that Ben didn't even look at me.
Penelope led me into a secluded corner in the hallway, far enough away to not be heard if Ben came out but close enough to see when he did, and spoke quietly.
"The paperwork that the judge is about to review is going to prove that Ben is guilty of financial infidelity, breach of fiduciary duty, and marital fraud. We are assuming that most of his larger expenditures, like paying off women for their silence, were done through Mr. Gatti and then reimbursed by Mr. Landon, but it would require a subpoena to investigate Gatti's accounts. Ben did make some careless purchases using his hidden accounts, and those will be enough to prove that Angela wasn't the only time his infidelity had financially impacted your marriage."
I wasn't sure how to respond, so I simply nodded. Part of me wanted to ask how much, on who, or on what... but the other part knew that the information would just cause me pain.
· · - ·?· - · ·
"Mr. Landon, the Court has conducted a preliminary review of the financial documents submitted by both parties and found that there are significant discrepancies between the two sets of documents.
These discrepancies indicate that Mr. Landon has not complied with this Court’s prior orders to provide full and accurate financial disclosures. As such, the Court finds Respondent in contempt for failure to obey a lawful court order.
Additionally, based on the Court’s preliminary review, it is apparent that this matter is considerably more complex than a standard dissolution proceeding involving routine issues of marital waste. The inconsistent financial information suggests potential intentional concealment of assets, and possibly additional misconduct.
Mr. Landon, given the seriousness of what is developing here, the Court strongly encourages you to obtain more experienced counsel. One who may not need counsel themselves." The judge fixed his serious gaze on Mr. Gatti for a moment, who visibly paled.
“Effective immediately, the existing no-contact order is extended and shall remain in place until the next scheduled hearing in the dissolution action. Any necessary contact shall be conducted through attorneys. Furthermore, the Court is imposing a full asset freeze pending final judgment, including all bank accounts, investments, and any transfers of property. No funds are to be moved, withdrawn, or dissipated by either party without further order of this Court. The only exceptions are that the Respondent, Mr. Landon, shall pay a temporary monthly stipend to the Petitioner, Mrs. Landon, for pregnancy-related expenses and reasonable living costs. Respondent is also ordered to continue paying all community propertyobligations, including the mortgage, insurance, utilities, and necessary household bills, pending further order of the Court.
In light of the discrepancies identified, the Court will be forwarding the financial records to the District Attorney’s Office for review to determine whether criminal charges are warranted. The Court makes no findings on that issue today but will allow the appropriate authorities to evaluate the evidence.
For the purposes of today’s hearing, Mr. Landon is remanded into custody on the contempt finding for failure to comply with the Court’s disclosure orders. We will set the next hearing date with the clerk. Court is adjourned."
