Chapter 5 - The Unraveling Syndicate
Judge Harold Sterling’s aristocratic smirk vanished instantly, the color draining from his weathered face.
His two attorneys exchanged nervous, panicked glances behind him.
"The Department of Justice?" Harold stammered, his hand tightening around the silver handle of his cane.
"This is a domestic matter!
Federal authorities have no jurisdiction over a household dispute!"
"They do when the household dispute is connected to a fifty-million-dollar offshore laundering scheme," Marcus replied.
Marcus signaled Commander Briggs, who set a heavy aluminum flight case onto the foyer center table.
Briggs popped the locks, revealing stacks of forensic accounting binders, certified bank transcripts, and encrypted hard drives.
"For the past eighteen months, Victoria has been funneling money out of the Vance Logistics operational accounts," Marcus explained.
"She transferred those funds into offshore dummy corporations managed by your law firm in the Cayman Islands.
She wasn't trying to gain custody of Leo because she loved him, Harold.
She needed Leo's trust fund to cover the thirty-million-dollar deficit your firm incurred in the collapsed European port venture."
Harold took a half-step backward, his breathing turning shallow and strained.
The front doors swung open once more.
Four federal special agents in dark windbreakers entered the foyer, led by Special Agent Miller.
Miller held up a multi-page federal indictment stamped with the official seal of the Southern District Court.
"Harold Sterling, you are under arrest for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and interstate racketeering," Agent Miller announced.
Two agents moved in swiftly, clicking steel handcuffs around the legendary judge's wrists.
Harold looked at Marcus with veins bulging in his neck.
"You planned this from the day you married her!" Harold roared.
May you like
"I protected my family from a syndicate of thieves, Harold," Marcus answered coldly.
"And your dynasty ends today."
