Chapter 17 - Mauricio Goes to Trial
Mauricio refused plea.
His defense:
Colin designed scheme.
Teresa handled books.
Mauricio believed vendors legitimate.
Transfers to his accounts were consulting compensation.
My signatures came from internal Westbridge people.
He was arrogant husband, maybe abusive, but not federal fraud architect.
Prosecutors had messages.
GOT INTO V PORTAL.
KEEP HER NAME WHERE IT HELPS.
Invoice discussions.
Profit splits.
Bank transfers.
Still, trial mattered.
Government must prove.
I testified.
Not about ballroom except limited context when relevant to relationship/control and state conviction if admissible carefully.
Main testimony:
I did not approve vendors.
I did not sign forms.
I did not authorize Mauricio access to work portal.
I disclosed my known relationship with his legitimate MRO Consulting years earlier and had been formally recused from any business with it.
That prior disclosure helped me.
If I wanted to hide conflict, why had I voluntarily disclosed his real company?
The shells bypassed that.
Defense cross:
“You knew husband had consulting clients.”
“Yes.”
“You benefited from his income.”
“Yes.”
“You shared household expenses.”
“Yes.”
“You knew Teresa did books.”
“Yes.”
“You attended events where Colin Reed present.”
“Yes.”
“You never asked exactly where Mauricio’s money came from?”
“I knew legitimate business income. I did not know he was billing my employer through shells.”
“You earned significantly more than him.”
“Some years.”
“You controlled household finances?”
“No. We both had access.”
“You are angry because he assaulted you.”
“Yes.”
That honesty surprised them.
“You want him punished.”
May you like
“I want court decide based on evidence.”
No speech.
