Chapter 12 - Eric’s Plea
Eric did not go to trial.
His attorney negotiated.
Evidence was mixed on $75k principal:
Robert may have intended loan.
So prosecution reduced financial exploitation theory.
Eric pleaded guilty to:
Breach/exploitation-related felony based on self-dealing as agent and failure to disclose conflict in loan documentation.
Attempted obstruction for directing Lily to delete relevant recording after APS investigation began.
The $75k loan itself remained enforceable debt, not stolen principal.
That distinction mattered.
He admitted:
He knew POA did not authorize self-dealing without independent approval.
He structured favorable loan to his company while acting as agent.
He failed to disclose to independent advisor.
He later asked Lily to delete evidence because he feared impact on court/investigation.
He did not plead guilty to stealing adoption.
No such crime charge.
Then sentencing.
First offense.
Repayment.
Cooperation.
Family caregiving history.
Vulnerable victim.
Effective sentence:
Twenty months custody, with two additional years supervised probation.
Could be realistic.
He lost contractor licensing? Maybe felony affects some contracts but not necessarily license. His company survived under partner management.
He repaid:
$75k principal under accelerated settlement using refinance.
Interest adjustment.
Surcharge.
No estate loss left from loan.
Then victim statement.
Dad could not provide.
Independent guardian spoke.
I declined to demand sentence.
Lily did not speak.
Noah not involved.
Eric addressed court:
“I told myself I deserved more because I was the one handling Dad’s daily problems.”
Then:
“I knew his memory was getting worse.”
Then:
“I used that fact when it benefited me.”
There.
“I also helped my mother oppose Noah’s adoption years earlier.”
Not charged, but admitted.
Then:
“I believed adoption would change money and family. I was wrong to treat child as financial event.”
I cried.
Then:
“I am sorry.”
He was taken.
Jennifer remained married.
Visited.
Boys.
No collapse.
Then Margaret.
Prosecutor declined felony elder-exploitation charge due insufficient proof beyond reasonable doubt of criminal taking, despite civil undue influence.
They did pursue misdemeanor/obstruction-related? She had not texted Lily delete. She had attempted to snatch phone at picnic but no active investigation then. Not criminal.
No charges.
People were angry.
I wasn’t surprised.
Civil court had already acted.
Margaret’s wrongs were real even if not crimes.
Then some relatives said:
“She got away.”
I corrected:
“She lost financial authority, amendment invalidated, paid surcharge, and damaged relationships. Criminal law is not only form of consequence.”
Good.
Then Margaret asked to meet me.
“No.”
Not yet.
Then Dad’s health declined.
At seventy-two, he sometimes forgot my name.
But always liked Noah’s dinosaur drawings.
Noah made one weekly.
Dad posted on wall.
One day he called Lily “Marissa.”
She smiled.
“Close enough.”
Then Robert had lucid stretch.
Asked:
“Where’s Eric?”
I told:
“He’s away because he broke financial rules.”
Dad looked sad.
“Jail?”
“Yes.”
“Did he hurt me?”
I chose truth.
“He used your money in a way he wasn’t allowed and tried to control papers.”
Dad shook head.
“I would’ve lent him.”
“I know.”
That was the tragedy.
Eric could have asked with safeguards.
Maybe Dad would have said yes.
Instead he took authority shortcut.
Then:
“Is Marissa mad?”
“Yes.”
“Tell her don't lose brother over money.”
My chest hurt.
“It’s more.”
He looked tired.
“Always more.”
Then slept.
Could I forgive Eric someday?
May you like
Maybe.
But first he had to live with what he had done.
