Chapter 11 - THE SENTENCE DEREK COULDN’T TALK HIS WAY OUT OF
-11
Derek’s criminal case lasted almost a year.
There was no dramatic arrest at company lobby.
He surrendered through counsel.
Charges focused on financial conduct, not being cruel.
Wire fraud.
Falsified corporate records tied to referral and commission scheme.
The fake emails became evidence of concealment and retaliation, not standalone moral crime.
He eventually pleaded guilty to two felony counts.
His lawyer argued:
No prior record.
Family pressures.
Company culture rewarded aggressive sales.
Derek had genuine performance history.
He supported children.
All true.
Prosecutors argued:
He fabricated executive communications.
Diverted compensation.
Used related-party vendor.
Retaliated against employees who questioned.
Repeated over years.
Also true.
Sentencing:
Twenty-four months federal custody.
Restitution.
Three years supervised release.
No employment in fiduciary sales management without disclosure during supervision.
Dad cried.
Mom cried.
I did too.
People online imagine justice feels like victory.
It felt like watching my brother lose two years of his life because he kept choosing control until choices became crimes.
At sentencing, Derek spoke.
At first lawyer language.
“I regret the harm caused.”
Passive.
Then judge asked:
“What did you do?”
Derek stopped.
Correct verbs.
“I fabricated messages from my brother.”
Good.
“I approved referral fees I knew were not fully earned.”
Good.
“I accepted money back.”
Good.
“I moved commissions from employees after complaints.”
Good.
Then:
“I told myself I was protecting performance.”
Judge waited.
Derek swallowed.
“I was protecting myself.”
There.
Then he mentioned Elliot.
“I embarrassed him publicly.”
Then:
“I used his panic disorder against him.”
Good.
Then:
“I used my brother’s name because people were afraid of it.”
My stomach tightened.
Then family.
He did not mention Lucas at first.
Judge had received character impact? The BBQ unrelated criminal. Maybe no need.
But Derek said:
“I also treated weakness like something I had right to punish.”
There.
He cried.
Actually cried.
No one told him to stop.
Then sentence.
Outside courthouse Dad whispered:
“He cried.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve never seen since kid.”
“Maybe because you taught him not.”
Dad closed eyes.
Then incarceration.
Derek’s sons visited.
Melissa had divorced.
She allowed contact under parenting plan.
Lucas did not.
Derek wrote him a letter after six months.
I did not give immediately.
I read first because Lucas was seven.
Letter:
Lucas,
I burned your toys because I thought I knew what would make you stronger.
That was wrong.
I knew Mr. Bamboo was from your mom.
That makes what I did worse.
I am sorry.
No excuse.
Then:
You do not have to write back or see me.
Good.
I asked Lucas if he wanted.
He said yes.
He read slowly.
Then cried.
“Why did he do it?”
“He says because he thought he knew better.”
“Does he now?”
“I don’t know.”
Then:
“Can I keep letter?”
“Yes.”
“Do I have to forgive?”
“No.”
He put it in drawer.
Months later, he drew picture of Mr. Bamboo again.
Did not send.
His.
Then Dad wrote Derek.
He showed me? Only with Derek permission later perhaps.
Dad apologized for teaching:
pain equals strength,
family protects family,
winning excuses cruelty.
Derek replied:
“You didn't make me forge emails.”
Important.
He took own responsibility.
Dad cried reading.
Then:
“I still taught some.”
Both.
Then Mom visited Derek.
She said:
“I spent your whole childhood smoothing things over for you.”
Derek:
“I know.”
“Did that hurt you?”
“Yes.”
Not because rescue inherently bad, but no consequences.
Then Derek asked if I would visit.
I said no first year.
Not punishment.
Not ready.
He accepted through counsel/family.
After eighteen months, I went.
Prison visitation.
He looked older.
Thinner.
We sat.
No hug.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
Then:
“You came.”
“Yes.”
He looked down.
“I hate that you're seeing me here.”
“I imagine.”
Then he said:
“I used to think you were soft.”
“I know.”
“I thought softness was why Dad respected you less.”
That stunned.
Dad respected me professionally, but emotionally invested Derek more.
Derek saw his pain as proof strength.
Then:
“When your company got big, I thought you won despite softness.”
Now?
“I think maybe you built because you let people tell you bad news.”
Interesting.
He had suppressed bad news.
I tolerated.
Then he asked:
“Can I ever see Lucas?”
“Not my decision alone.”
“He’s eight.”
“I decide safety, he gets voice.”
Derek nodded.
Then:
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
“Do you forgive?”
“No.”
He looked hurt.
Then I added:
“Not yet. Some parts maybe later.”
Honest.
He nodded.
May you like
No demand.
That visit was beginning, not ending.
