Chapter 15 - Restitution and Rebuilding
Six weeks later, the final sentencing hearing took place.
Judge Jenkins showed no leniency. Beatrice Bennett was sentenced to twenty-two years in federal prison with no possibility of parole. Celeste Bennett received eight years at a medium-security federal facility in California. Evelyn Reed was sentenced to three years probation and lost her notary license permanently.
The court also ordered complete financial restitution. The federal government seized Beatrice's real estate firm, her waterfront estate, and all her offshore accounts.
After liquidating the assets and settling all state and federal back taxes, the federal victim compensation fund awarded me $1.2 million in restitution for financial damages, legal costs, and emotional distress, along with full, unencumbered ownership of the $42,500 that had been stolen from me.
Greg was completely exonerated of all wrongdoing, having been recognized by the Department of Justice as a key whistleblower who exposed the RICO operation.
A month after the trial ended, Greg met me at a local park. Leo was sitting on a blanket on the grass, playing with a soft wooden rattle.
"How are you holding up, Greg?" I asked, handing him a cup of coffee.
"I filed the final divorce papers yesterday," Greg said, staring out over the lake. "It’s surreal. Ten years of my life, gone in a flash. But... I feel like I can finally breathe again."
"What will you do now?"
"I accepted a job offer with an international auditing firm in Boston," Greg smiled softly. "Fresh start. But before I go, I wanted to set up a college trust fund for Leo. I'm putting $100,000 into it."
"Greg, you don't have to do that," I protested. "You've already done so much."
May you like
"I want to, Mara," Greg insisted, looking down at Leo with warmth. "Leo saved my life, too. If this hadn't happened, I would have spent the rest of my life living a lie with Celeste."
I hugged Greg tightly. "Thank you, brother."
