Chapter 21 - Hartwell gets its money back
The restitution and civil negotiations happened in the same month.
Hartwell’s final overpayment claim:
$29,700.
Already recovered:
$8,200 from Weston.
I had paid:
$12,000.
Outstanding:
$9,500.
At criminal restitution hearing, court found Celeste directly responsible for at least:
$17,900
of insurer loss attributable to proven false contents submissions.
But Hartwell could not recover twice.
Because insurer had already received $20,200 combined from me and Weston, remaining uncompensated loss under its calculation was $9,500.
Restitution ordered to Hartwell:
$9,500.
No extra payment to me.
Then what about my $12,000?
I had been the insured who received the overpayment.
Hartwell kept it under settlement.
Could I sue Celeste to recover?
Potentially.
Nathan asked:
“Do you want to?”
I looked at legal fees already incurred.
“No.”
I had signed.
My carelessness had a price.
That was mine.
Then Hartwell signed final release:
No further repayment sought from me.
Policy remains in force.
No fraud notation against me personally beyond internal claim history.
Claim corrected.
Case closed civilly with carrier once restitution received.
Then Weston.
Corporate settlement.
Miles personally paid a modest fine/restitution contribution under his misdemeanor resolution.
His former employer handled remaining.
No one paid twice.
The numbers finally stopped moving.
Piper asked:
“So insurance is done?”
“Yes.”
“House safe?”
“Yes.”
“It was always safe?”
“From the insurance claim, yes. Celeste exaggerated what could happen.”
Piper frowned.
“Adults should not be allowed to say stuff like that.”
“Many adults agree.”
Then:
“Do I still owe for lamp?”
I laughed.
“No.”
“I have fifty-one dollars now.”
“Congratulations.”
“Can I buy another lamp?”
“No.”
She looked offended.
May you like
The broken lamp had become the smallest debt in the room.
As it should have been.
