Frank never lowered his head, even in front of the judge, still believing he was a man above the law. “This is all a pathetic family vendetta,” he claimed.
I asked the judge for permission to speak. I stood up and looked him straight in the eyes.
“You didn’t lose your power because of me, you lost it the moment you thought you could buy people’s fear,” I said clearly. “I didn’t destroy your family, you turned it into a criminal office,” I added.
For the first time, he had absolutely nothing to say. Victor received a harsh, multi decade sentence, as did Roger.
Frank was sentenced for a dozen crimes related to extortion, threats, and illegal drug distribution. Other names followed in the investigation, and the victims began to testify one by one.
Some were crying, while others were too traumatized to look at anyone in the room. One of them hugged me outside the courthouse and simply said, “thank you for not staying silent.”
That night, I cried more than I had in months. Brian was not acquitted, and his involvement was proven beyond any doubt.
