Chapter 17 - The Trial
Lydia’s federal financial trial began when I was thirty-one weeks pregnant.
My doctors did not love stress.
I testified one day.
No theatrics.
Ownership structure.
Board authority.
Vendor approval limits.
My lack of knowledge of related-party benefits.
Fertility expenses were irrelevant to charges and mostly excluded.
Good.
This was not a trial about whether Lydia was cruel mother-in-law.
It was financial crime.
Prosecutor showed one invoice.
Palmetto Development.
$420,000 “strategic acquisition sourcing.”
Actual documented work value:
Approximately $135,000.
Within ten days, $180,000 moved from Palmetto to Seabrook Advisory.
Seabrook controlled by Lydia.
No board disclosure.
Another.
Harbor Strategic Alliance.
$310,000.
$95,000 later to Lydia’s investment account via intermediary.
Defense asked:
“Mrs. Bennett contributed substantial business development value over years, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Introduced lenders?”
“Yes.”
“Helped acquisitions?”
“Yes.”
“Was she compensated fully?”
“She received director fees and approved consulting compensation.”
“Could she reasonably believe referral fees were owed?”
“She could believe anything. She still had disclosure obligations.”
Objection.
Judge told jury disregard phrasing.
I corrected.
“Board policy required disclosure and approval.”
Defense:
“You and Lydia disliked each other.”
“Yes.”
“You were divorcing her son.”
“Yes.”
“She pushed you into pool.”
“Yes.”
“You want her punished.”
“I want jury decide financial charges from documents.”
No speech.
The documents could work.
Frank testified.
Ethan testified.
Gerald Voss testified under plea.
Independent directors.
Forensic accountants.
Lydia did not testify.
Her right.
May you like
No inference.
After nine days, case went to jury.
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