Tax Evasion, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7201.
Wire Fraud, including a scheme involving the skimming of client funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343.
Securities Fraud, including front-running and churning, in violation of 15 U.S.C. §§ 78j(b) and 78ff, and 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5.
Misappropriation of Client Assets, a form of investment adviser fraud, also under 15 U.S.C. §§ 80b-6 and 80b-17.
Conspiracy to Commit Financial Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.
And Failure to Report and Concealment of Offshore Accounts, in violation of 31 U.S.C. §§ 5314 and 5322, relating to foreign bank account reporting requirements.
These charges collectively allege a multi-year scheme involving financial deception, the concealment of income and assets, and the fraudulent handling of client investments.
Do you understand the charges as I have read them?”
Don squeezed my arm to signal that I was expected to speak.
“Yes, your honor.” My voice sounded strange to my ears, too high-pitched, too shaky.
“Given the scope of the alleged financial crimes, the existence of offshore accounts, the defendant’s history of concealing assets, and the substantial risk of flight, the Court finds that no combination of conditions will reasonably assure hisappearance or the safety of the community. It is the Courts decision that the defendant is ordered detained pending trial.”
“What?” I looked at Don, my eyes wild with panic. “No bail?” I croaked.
“I’ll file a Motion to Revoke.” He said calmly as the bailiffs started pulling me away.
“Call Melanie!” I shouted as I let myself be steered away. “I need to speak to her.”
He visibly sighed but gave a single jerky nod before he started gathering his papers.
· · - ·?· - · ·
-One week later-
Melanie sat across the table from me in the small attorney-client meeting room that the detention center had arranged for them. Beside her was Penelope Yang wearing Armani and a smug smile. Don was to my right, silent and serious as always.
“You can go; everyone is going to get along just fine today… right, Mr. Landon?” Penelope was dismissing the officerthatthey had posted by the door as she smirked at me. The officer looked at Don, who nodded in agreement, then he informed us that he’d be just outside the door and to follow the rules, or the meeting would be terminated.
I nodded and looked at my wife. It had been almost two months since the last time I had seen her, and she was finally beginning to show.
She’s got to be five or six months along.
“We are here today because your client requested a supervised settlement conference, we brought the papers for Mr. Landon to sign.”
“My client is ready and willing to sign whatever Mrs. Landon wants from him but he would like five minutes to speak to her—with us present of course.” Don stated and folded his hands on the table.
I had never met a man so impassive in my life.
Penelope looked at Melanie, and my wife nodded, and turned her attention to me.
“What do you want, Ben?” she asked, her voice was like a balm on an open wound.
“I’ve had a lot of time to think… nothing but time really.” I mumbled, “I know my apologies don’t mean anything and I know that you rightfully hate me, but I wanted you to know that it was never your fault… not any of it. You were perfect and I was just too fucked up to realize that I would lose you.”
Her eyes widened and her lips thinned.
“I don’t say that because I didn’t believe you’d have the strength to leave me—” she gave me an incredulous look, “I thought I was invincible and that if somehow you did find out you’d be able to forgive me.” I admitted.
“Was there ever a time you even tried to be loyal?” she said quietly.
