Chapter 24 - The Verdict
The jury convicted Thomas of wire fraud, bank fraud, forgery, identity theft, conspiracy, and attempted property theft.
He was also convicted of defrauding investors.
When the verdict was read, he looked at Marta.
She did not look away.
No one smiled.
No one celebrated.
Consequences are not entertainment when the person receiving them was once someone you loved.
At sentencing, Thomas spoke.
He admitted lying about the apartment because he felt embarrassed that his wife owned more than he did.
He said each lie required another.
He claimed he never intended to hurt anyone.
The judge answered:
“You planned to remove your wife from her home, steal her property, drain her business assets, and abandon your mother with the liability. Harm was not incidental. It was the mechanism.”
Thomas received nine years.
Elise received a shorter sentence because of cooperation.
Marta received probation and community service related to trespass and property damage.
She also remained financially responsible for part of the investor restitution because she helped solicit funds.
I did not ask the court for leniency.
I did not ask for maximum punishment.
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I asked only that the record state clearly that the apartment was never Thomas’s.
The judge did.
