In the end, faced with a mountain of evidence he could not climb over, Gideon accepted responsibility.
The settlement ordered the return of every recoverable asset, the forced sale of the condominium, full restitution to his parents, and a prison term.
At the final hearing, Deborah asked the judge for no cruelty and no vengeance.
She asked only to be heard.
“I want my son to understand what he actually took,” she told the court, her voice quiet and even.
“He didn’t only take money.