Chapter 9 - THE DEALS
Dana went to trial.
Colton did not.
He accepted a plea agreement.
Fraud.
Conspiracy.
False statement.
Restitution.
He agreed to testify.
No prison fantasy.
No instant redemption.
He received a custodial sentence significantly reduced because of cooperation, followed by supervised release and financial restrictions.
Margaret did not attend sentencing.
Casey did.
Not for him.
For herself.
Colton looked at her before deputies took him away.
“I’m sorry.”
Casey nodded.
“I know.”
“Will Mom ever forgive me?”
Casey looked at him.
“That’s not a sentence you earn by serving time.”
He cried.
She left.
Dana was convicted on fraud, elder exploitation-related offenses, and obstruction.
Chief Enzo’s case was narrower.
Prosecutors did not prove he participated in the initial deed forgery.
They did prove he used his office to manipulate the police response after the financial scheme began collapsing.
He resigned before trial.
Later convicted on obstruction, falsification of official records, and misconduct-related counts.
The most damaging evidence was not Casey’s title.
Not Margaret’s bruises.
Not even Colton’s testimony.
It was the original report draft.
One sentence:
Margaret seated on kitchen floor. Visible bruising. States daughter-in-law grabbed arms during argument over documents.
Enzo changed the story after the fact.
That was the corruption.
May you like
Not failing to know truth instantly.
Choosing a more useful version once truth became inconvenient.
