Chapter 22 - My own businesses come under scrutiny
Once Seraphina’s files became evidence, investigators examined Bellafonte companies.
Of course they did.
You cannot hand prosecutors a box marked:
MY CFO HELPED RUN FRAUD
and expect them to politely ignore everything else.
Several businesses were clean.
Some were not.
Old cash practices.
Unreported side payments.
Vendor arrangements I had tolerated because they benefited people loyal to me.
No direct connection to Seraphina’s death.
Still unlawful.
My attorneys advised cooperation where required and negotiation where appropriate.
I stepped down from operational control of two companies.
One paid civil penalties.
Another entered a compliance agreement.
I faced a tax-related criminal count connected to a historical payment structure.
May you like
I pleaded guilty.
No pretending the man seeking justice for his wife had never created victims elsewhere.
