"And during those three weeks, did Mr. Vitale provide you with anything of value?"
I watched Emilio's jaw tighten slightly. The only sign of stress.
"He paid off some debts I had. Student loans primarily. Credit cards. A traffic ticket."
"How much in total?"
"Approximately one hundred eighty thousand dollars."
More murmurs. Louder this time. Judge Morrison didn't bother calling for order. Just let the reaction wash through.
"That's a substantial amount of money," Roberto said. "What did you do in exchange for this payment?"
"Objection!" Diana's voice was sharp. "Counsel is implying prostitution. That's beyond inappropriate."
"Sustained. Mr. Green, watch your implications or I'll hold you in contempt."
Roberto didn't look chastened. "Let me rephrase. Did you accept this money from your client while actively representing him?"
"I didn't ask for the money. I didn't know about the payments until Mr. Vitale told me he'd made them." Emilio's voice stayed level. Professional. "When I found out, I was concerned about the ethical implications."
"Concerned enough to return the money?"
"I've been repaying Mr. Vitale since I started my new position. We structured it as a personal loan. I make monthly payments and I've already repaid approximately thirty thousand dollars."
This was news to me. Emilio hadn't told me he was actually making payments. I'd assumed the debt conversation was theoretical.
Roberto looked surprised too. "You have documentation of these payments?"
"Yes. Bank records showing transfers from my account to Mr. Vitale's personal account. I can provide them if needed."
"That won't be necessary right now." Roberto regrouped. "Mr. Rossi, when exactly did your relationship with Mr. Vitale begin?"
"We went on our first date approximately six weeks ago."
"So you were his attorney when the relationship started."
"Yes."
"And you're aware that's an ethical violation. That attorneys aren't supposed to have sexual relationships with clients."
"I'm aware of the ethical guidelines, yes. Which is why I withdrew from representation as soon as I recognized the relationship was becoming serious."
"As soon as you recognized it was serious. So initially you thought it was just casual?"
Diana stood again. "Objection. This is harassment, not relevant questioning."
"Your Honor, I'm establishing the witness's credibility and his susceptibility to the defendant's manipulation."
"Overruled. But move along, Mr. Green. You're testing my patience."
Roberto walked back to the prosecution table. Grabbed a document. "Mr. Rossi, isn't it true that you were drowning in debt when you met Mr. Vitale? That you'd just gone through a divorce and were struggling financially?"
"I had financial obligations, yes."
"And isn't it true that Mr. Vitale identified you as vulnerable and systematically compromised you? Paid off your debts. Bought you expensive clothing. Took you to high-society events. Made you dependent on him financially and socially?"
"No." Emilio's voice was firm. "Mr. Vitale didn't compromise me. I made my own choices. About the relationship. About withdrawing from his case. About how to handle the ethical complications. Those were my decisions."
