She Was Arrested, Indicted and is Awaiting Trial

Does Hallmark make a card for this occasion?

Last month I was shopping for gifts, decorating items, and holiday cards. I wanted to “buy local” as much as possible this season since many of our hometown retailers are still struggling to remain open.

In the card section of a popular retailer I came across a row of wise-cracking, snarky cards designed to thumb its nose at a few hallowed holiday traditions.

Some were clever, but most were dumb — bringing to mind the punchline of sixth-grade cafeteria jokes.

Then I saw a card that snapped me to attention. “You’re under arrest on suspicion of being a Christmas tree!” I didn’t quite catch the humor but the card itself brought to mind my dear friend, who will be passing yet another Christmas wondering if this will be the last one spent as a free woman.

My friend, who we’ll call Shara, was formerly the director of a nonprofit organization. She is talented, accomplished, well known and much liked by many in the community.

Shara worked in the nonprofit sector for years and was admired for her ability to write grants, execute them, and competently administer the programs that were beneficiaries of the funds she raised.

Over ten years Shara has raised millions of dollars from grants — many of which were tied to other participating organizations which also received funding as a result of her grantsmanship.

She’s received numerous awards and commendations for her work helping homeless and low-income women regain their footing in the world.

The indictment

But in the first quarter of 2017 that world came crashing down when she found herself under suspicion of coordinating a multi-year grant fraud scheme.

One moment she’d been busy polishing the schedule for an all-day workshop to help disadvantaged women navigate their path to employment, and the next she was indicted on four counts of mail fraud and embezzlement of over a million dollars.

All are federal charges, and if found guilty can land her in prison for up to 20 years with a $200,000 fine on each count.

After her indictment, her board of directors quickly voted to dissolve the nonprofit and to fire her and her small handful of employees. The high profile board members took pains to distance themselves as expediently as possible.

People who just months before basked in the reflected glory of her work now blocked her on Facebook and on their phones. People whose homes she had visited now pretended they barely knew her.

Nobody seemed to be in the mood to scrutinize possible agitators or to examine newly discovered links leading to odd political connections.

Today Shara admits there had been times she’d experienced strange vibes when dealing with certain individuals from agencies with whom the grants had been shared.

She wondered why these people — who had one or two degrees of separation from highly placed officials— occupied very low-level positions at the granting agencies and some of the other nonprofits.

Why would a woman with an MBA and years of experience be working as an entry-level bookkeeper?

The arrest

Within a week, the arrest came. She was sipping coffee in her robe watching the 7:00 AM news when suddenly several police cars roared to the front of her house, blocking the driveway of her next door neighbor. She answered the pounding knocks on the door and was swiftly handcuffed.

After a moment of pleading a female officer took her to the bathroom, and remained, while she used the toilet and then dressed into some slacks and a blouse.

She was shoved into the back seat of a police car and taken to the precinct. There she was photographed, fingerprinted, booked and led to jail. Her husband posted her bond and within three hours she was freed.

After the indictment and arrest, Shara began the long journey of her defense. Her husband Jason, an executive with a large international company, hired a respected criminal defense attorney.

Jason also dealt with friends who gradually faded from view and clients who were conflicted with working with a man whose wife was possibly a criminal.

Discovery … and curious messages

From different sources — as the process of discovery unfolded — Shara began receiving messages. A few were anonymous, and some came from high-placed individuals who took her aside and told her: “You are being set up,” and “Someone way up is out to get you,” and “Word is, this money was stolen by people with political blessings…..and involvement.”

I’ve known Shara for over 30 years. She is one of the most thoughtful, intelligent and generous women I’ve ever known. She has a kind of earnest naivety that is almost heartbreaking in her situation. She is always helping other people.

She and her husband — both children of wealthy families — are friendly, down-to-earth, and have never been prone to flout status or income. They live comfortably in a beautiful home that they maintain themselves. No gardeners, no housekeepers, no signs of pretentiousness.

If Shara had embezzled a million dollars, believe me, I’d know about it. If she had stolen money then she and her husband Jason, would have taken some of those exotic dream trips we used to talk about.

She would have purchased a car for her 20-something daughter who struggles to keep a job. She would have given money to her thirty-year-old son, who she loves dearly, but who hasn’t found his niche in life. Hell, she would have bought herself a new car!

But she has done none of those things

The feds have already ransacked her family’s bank accounts using forensic accountants. They’ve gone to neighbors asking if the family has done any recent home renovations or taken any expensive trips.

They questioned friends — me included — about her spending habits. Very embarrassing to Shara but I suppose it’s necessary because they have come up with ZIP, nada, nothing.

So, another Christmas will pass. Her trial has been delayed several times due to COVID-19 and is on track to be held in the spring of next year.

It’s unfair… but Shara will prevail

I think what bothers me most about this case is the fact that there are — right now, right at this very moment — a staggering number of real criminals operating unfettered and untroubled.

It might seem that half of Washington was, and is, being run by people who fleece taxpayers, siphon funds from all kinds of government programs, and who run the government as if it were an extension of their own business.

And look at those who fund raise right out there in plain sight with no intention of using the dollars for the purpose to which they claim. We read about these real criminals almost daily!

But, because they’re politicians, they can do any fucking thing they want. They are “protected” by a system that ordinary citizens have no access to.

No, I will not send Shara a “joking” Christmas card. I will say this: she is holding up beautifully, with grace, and yes, with humor. We’ve made some dark jokes about orange pantsuits and teaching classes in prison but I know deep down her fear is real.

But as we keep telling each other: She will prevail.

Although our state is one that puts pressure on prosecutors to squeeze a plea deal from defendants, Shara is adamant she is going to trial to have her day in court.

I know that day will not come soon enough. But I do know she will prevail.

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