Chapter 14 - The overbilling audit
The audit reviewed thirty-eight renovation reimbursements.
Results:
Twenty-three proper.
Eight involved contractually permitted but poorly documented fees.
Five contained overcharges above allowed markup.
Two contained duplicate reimbursement components.
Total disputed overpayment:
$214,600.
After crediting legitimate design services not separately billed:
Estimated unsupported benefit:
$136,400.
Delphine’s lawyer argued:
Maison Vale provided additional creative services worth at least that much.
Possible civil defense.
No written change order.
Weak.
Then one invoice:
Harbor Glassworks, $96,000.
Actual vendor:
$58,000.
Maison Vale markup:
$38,000.
Delphine personally approved reimbursement request.
Household accounting paid it.
Email to Gavin:
The spread helps support contribution schedule.
That sounded bad.
Not because profit is illegal.
May you like
Because she was using the inflated gross figure to support a personal equity claim after already earning the spread.
The investigation shifted from sloppy accounting toward intentional misrepresentation.
