Chapter 20 - The Verdict and Sentence
Jury convicted Daniel on major fraud conspiracy and wire/bank fraud counts.
Acquitted on one narrower identity-related count where evidence did not prove he personally created a specific fake ID file rather than Patricia.
Good.
Precision.
State domestic case already resolved.
Federal sentencing three months later.
Loss calculation centered on $1.2 million actually advanced by Meridian, reduced by recoveries and CrossWave repayments/settlements.
The $2.6 million facility total was not treated as fully lost because second tranche never funded.
No five million imaginary loss.
Aggravating factors:
Abuse of trust.
Forgery of spouse’s consent.
Use of false trust authority.
Sophisticated planning with Patricia.
Misrepresentation to own board.
Obstruction? Did he obstruct? We haven't established. Avoid.
Mitigating:
No prior felony record.
Money went largely to real company expenses rather than luxury.
CrossWave ultimately repaid/recovered part.
He had accepted responsibility for state domestic conduct though contested federal.
Judge imposed seventy-four months federal custody.
Just over six years.
State custodial time, thirty days? Could be credited/concurrent where lawful.
Three years supervised release.
Restitution to Meridian and related victims after insurance/recovery offsets.
No restitution to me for nonexistent financial loss beyond legal fees not covered? Civil claim covered legal costs partially. We can say civil judgment/fee allocation separately.
Daniel spoke.
“I thought if the company survived, nobody would care how I got through the month.”
Then:
“I thought Claire would sign afterward.”
Judge answered:
“Consent obtained afterward does not retroactively authorize fraud before it.”
Daniel looked at me.
“I was angry because she never needed me.”
I almost reacted.
Then he said:
“I wanted her to need me the way I needed her.”
That was the marriage.
Not love absent.
Balance absent.
I did not speak at sentencing.
My written statement was enough.
Patricia sentenced afterward.
Twenty-eight months federal custody.
Two years supervised release.
Restitution/forfeiture.
Age fifty-eight.
No prior criminal record.
Cooperation.
Substantial role.
No violence conviction.
She served about twenty-three months after lawful credits and transitional placement.
Daniel later served a little over sixty-one months before release under lawful credits and reentry rules.
No secret pardon.
May you like
No influence from CrossWave.
No family deal.
