Chapter 13 - LAURA'S PLEA
The reimbursement investigation did not become a giant federal fraud case.
Amount was limited.
Documentation clear.
Laura accepted a negotiated resolution involving:
restitution,
probation,
financial-fraud-related plea,
employment restrictions around reimbursement administration.
Separate child-neglect proceedings focused on supervision.
She entered:
parenting education,
family therapy,
supervised visitation.
No prison fantasy.
Jason repaid part of the money he had received after learning its source was improper.
He sold equipment from Prairie Hope.
Grant recovered:
not everything.
Some losses remained.
That was realistic.
Then Laura wrote Tessa a letter.
Not:
Mommy did everything for family.
Not:
You’re such a good big sister.
It said:
I made you responsible for Miles when that was my job. Helping your brother should have been something you chose, not something you were trapped doing.
Tessa read it.
Then folded it.
May you like
No tears.
Not yet.
