Chapter 12 - The Counter Lawsuit Unveiled Before The Federal Judge
Three weeks later, the preliminary hearing for the federal financial fraud case opened inside the Dallas Federal District Courthouse.
Patricia sat at the defense table beside a low-cost, court-appointed attorney, her hair unstyled and her designer clothes wrinkled.
Across the aisle sat Jessica, flanked by six top-tier corporate litigation attorneys from New York's most prestigious law firm.
"Your Honor, my client is an elderly victim who was financially controlled by her wealthy daughter-in-law!" Patricia’s lawyer argued meekly.
Jessica’s lead counsel stood up calmly, placing a heavy digital tablet onto the central evidence podium in front of the judge.
"Your Honor, we present five years of verified forensic banking audits, wire transfers, and offshore gambling records," the attorney stated.
The digital screen displayed video footage of Patricia sitting at high-limit blackjack tables in the Bahamas, using Jessica's corporate cards.
It also included recorded phone calls where Patricia explicitly bragged to her friends about bleeding Jessica’s salary dry for years.
The federal judge shook his head in disgust, slamming his heavy wooden gavel down onto the desk with a loud, echoing bang.
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"Bail is set at five million dollars, and the defendant's passport is surrendered immediately," the judge ruled with absolute authority.
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