Chapter 9 - THE VERDICT AND THE FALL
The jury deliberated for less than two days. Guilty on all counts of wire fraud, embezzlement, forgery, and conspiracy. The assault charge, handled in a separate municipal court, resulted in a restraining order and probation, but it was the federal crimes that buried her.
Beatriz was sentenced to fifteen years in federal prison. Because of her age, it was effectively a life sentence. Andrés, who had eventually cooperated with the authorities and flipped on his mother to save himself, received a five-year suspended sentence and a lifetime ban from holding any fiduciary or executive corporate position. He was left with nothing—no money, no status, no family.
On the day of the sentencing, I didn't go to the courthouse. I didn't need to see her put in handcuffs. I was sitting on the porch of my parents' house, drinking coffee, feeling the warm morning sun on my face. The chapter was closed.
