Chapter 9 - Keaton Says It Was His Idea
Keaton asked to cooperate before Dad.
Not criminal plea yet.
Civil deposition.
His lawyer knew laptop evidence was bad.
He was twenty six.
No prior record.
Still lived partly off parents.
He admitted building booking site.
“Whose idea?”
“Mine first.”
I was surprised.
He said after seeing family use house once while I worked.
“I told Dad we could rent it when Arden wasn’t there.”
“What did Dad say?”
“That Arden would never agree.”
“So you knew.”
“Yes.”
“Then?”
“He said maybe family only.”
“Who added outsiders?”
“I did.”
Why?
“People in Facebook group paid way more.”
Then Dad initially objected?
“Yes.”
This mattered.
“Why did he agree?”
“Money.”
Simple.
Then mother.
“She liked hosting.”
“Did she know Arden didn’t?”
“Yes.”
“Why continue?”
“She said Arden was selfish and would never use house enough.”
Then signature.
Keaton admitted creating consent form.
“Why?”
“One guest asked proof we were authorized.”
“What did you do?”
“Dad said make something.”
“Did he tell exact?”
“Make a management letter.”
“Did Elaine know?”
“She saw.”
“Who added Arden signature?”
“I did.”
“Did Richard know?”
“Yes.”
“Elaine?”
“Yes.”
“What did they say?”
“Mom said it looked too obvious first version.”
Cold.
Then he revised.
“Where signature?”
“Old family Christmas letter Arden signed.”
There.
He scanned.
Then:
“Did you think this was legal?”
“No.”
At least.
“Why?”
“I didn’t think anyone would care.”
“Arden?”
“She was never supposed to find out.”
Then gross money.
Keaton admitted he knew around $100k.
He received transfers.
“Why?”
“Tech and bookings.”
“Did you declare income?”
“Some.”
“Some?”
Accountant would handle.
Then Friday.
“Why show up after legal notice?”
“Dad said Arden bluffing.”
“You read notice?”
“Yes.”
“You still came?”
“Yes.”
“Did you try enter?”
“I threw cooler. Mom tried key. Dad door.”
He did not physically force lock.
Could reduce trespass charge to attempted/remaining after notice.
Then defamation text about my job.
He admitted.
“I was mad.”
“Did you call hospital?”
“No.”
Who did?
Maybe Hollis? Later we find mother. Actually mother angry could call. Better not add extra crime. Anonymous call impossible prove. Drop.
Then Keaton’s lawyer approached prosecutors.
He offered full cooperation, website records, passwords, accounting, testimony against Dad/ Mom if needed.
Federal prosecutors considered.
This changed family dynamic.
Dad called him traitor.
Keaton sent me a short message through lawyer:
I was wrong. I knew you did not know. I did it anyway because Dad made it feel like if family wanted something, that counted as permission.
Not excuse.
Then:
I’m sorry.
I did not reply.
But his cooperation recovered records.
Deleted chats.
Booking history.
Tax docs.
Then one surprise.
Gross $137,420 was not full.
Keaton had also accepted $34,600 through personal payment app before LLC existed.
Richard another $22,300.
Some transfers duplicated family reimbursements? Forensic accountant reconciled.
Total gross scheme receipts over three years:
$184,760.
After verified cleaning, supplies, Jennifer settlement, repairs, payment fees:
$45,920.
Net benefit available to family:
about $138,840.
Distributions:
Richard $58,400.
Elaine $31,200.
Keaton $37,900.
Cash/unallocated $11,340.
No money to me.
That became final criminal/civil figure subject refinement.
Not millions.
Enough for felony.
Then the relatives.
Family payments included $39,000 of gross.
Outsiders $145,000.
May you like
So this was not mainly “family sharing.”
It was a business.
