Chapter 13
The board investigation concluded five months later.
Rocco was cleared of directing the fraudulent vendor exceptions.
That did not mean he escaped criticism.
The report stated that his concentration of authority, reliance on family relationships, weak segregation of duties, and informal approval practices had created the environment in which manipulation became possible.
Rocco read every page.
He could have argued.
He did not.
Elaine asked whether he wanted the most critical language softened before the report went to lenders.
“No.”
“It may hurt us.”
“It should.”
She looked surprised.
Rocco continued.
“If we make the report comfortable, nobody fixes the system.”
Moretti Holdings eliminated automatic executive roles for family members.
Independent directors gained authority.
Vendor exceptions required dual review.
Home printing of confidential corporate documents ended.
No sensitive business files were permitted in residential areas.
Several relatives accused Rocco of destroying tradition.
He answered the same way each time.
“Tradition didn’t protect Mia.”
That became the end of the discussion.
Adrian returned money connected to improperly favored vendors and faced criminal exposure tied to false approvals and fraud.
Celeste faced separate charges involving Blue Cedar and document manipulation.
Neither could erase responsibility by blaming the other.
Adrian had started his misconduct before Celeste knew.
Celeste later used his misconduct for her own benefit.
Then they cooperated.
Then they tried to protect themselves from each other.
The law did not need one perfect villain.
It had two adults making independent choices.
May you like
Rocco found that strangely satisfying.
Life was usually more believable that way.
