Chapter 13
Dominic was charged months later.
The case was complicated.
Some decisions were unethical but legal.
Some financial transfers were not.
Prosecutors focused on falsified records, misappropriated charitable funds, fraudulent internal reporting, and communications connected to the vendor-pressure scheme.
Dominic’s lawyers argued he never intended permanent theft.
They emphasized the club’s financial crisis.
They showed projections suggesting successful redevelopment could have restored every diverted dollar.
Rocco believed those projections might even have been sincere.
It changed nothing.
Intent to repay money later did not create permission to take it now.
Before entering a plea, Dominic asked to see Rocco.
Claire advised against discussing the criminal case.
Rocco agreed to a supervised family meeting with attorneys present.
Dominic looked older.
No expensive manager badge.
No club office.
No people jumping when he entered.
“I hated that wheelchair,” he said.
Rocco stared at him.
Dominic almost smiled.
“Of everything, that’s what I keep thinking about.”
“Why?”
“Because I looked at you and saw somebody useless.”
Rocco said nothing.
“I didn’t even recognize you.”
“No.”
“That’s the part I can’t explain away.”
Dominic looked down.
“I can explain the money. I can explain the redevelopment. I can explain why I thought the club was going under.”
His voice became quieter.
“I can’t explain why I needed to humiliate a little girl for being kind.”
Rocco could.
Power had taught Dominic that kindness downward was weakness.
But giving him the explanation would make the conversation too easy.
So Rocco said nothing.
Dominic eventually accepted a plea agreement involving restitution, financial penalties, loss of management authority, and a prison sentence substantially below what he might have faced after trial.
He also agreed to cooperate in recovering diverted funds.
Before they separated, Dominic asked one question.
“Do you hate me?”
Rocco looked at his nephew.
“No.”
Dominic seemed almost relieved.
May you like
Then Rocco added:
“That would be easier.”
