In time, Wendell reached a plea agreement resolving certain fraud charges.

The public record established that he had made material misrepresentations in fundraising and had diverted designated funds.

Restitution was ordered, though the amount victims would ultimately recover depended on assets and collection.

Other issues surrounding Ruth’s disputed signature were resolved through separate civil and financial processes.

I attended one hearing with Mom.

We sat in the back, neither hoping for a dramatic confrontation nor pretending this would return the months she’d lost.

Wendell wore a plain gray suit.