Chapter 17 - The Criminal Case Split in Two
State prosecutors handled domestic violence and local forgery-related offenses initially.
Federal prosecutors took lead on Meridian financing because interstate bank/credit communications and wire transmissions were involved.
Patricia and Daniel were charged after grand jury process.
Daniel:
Bank/wire fraud conspiracy tied to false collateral documents.
Forgery/identity misuse.
Filing false instrument.
Related state domestic violence/menacing and attempted battery counts.
Patricia:
Conspiracy to commit fraud.
Identity impersonation/forgery.
False notarization facilitation.
Filing false instrument.
Daniel was not charged with stealing five million.
He never received it.
Not charged with stealing townhouse.
Lien was voided.
Not charged with attempted murder because he raised a fist.
The actual crimes were enough.
Danielle West, the notary, avoided criminal charge after prosecutors concluded she was deceived and grossly negligent but not knowingly participant.
She faced administrative discipline.
Lost commission for period.
Meridian sued her insurer.
No need to manufacture villains.
Daniel pleaded guilty to state domestic-violence misdemeanor and attempted assault charge under agreement, with probation and mandatory intervention, but federal case remained.
Patricia wanted a plea.
Daniel refused.
He said:
May you like
“Claire authorized temporary use verbally.”
That forced trial.
