Chapter 21 - THE MONEY CASEThe forged HELOC became part civil, part criminal investigation.
The bank suffered potential fraud exposure.
I was a named property owner whose authorization had been falsified.
Derek’s attorney argued I had given broad household-finance authority.
We had documents supporting some delegation.
That complicated intent.
But the broker messages and signature assembly were damaging.
The eventual resolution was narrower than “stealing $310,000 from his wife.”
Some proceeds had benefited joint obligations.
Some investments had marital dimensions.
The strongest provable misconduct involved falsifying my signature and making false representations to the lender.
Derek accepted responsibility under a negotiated fraud-related resolution concurrent in part with the assault consequences.
Civilly, the line was restructured during divorce and property settlement.
No magic cancellation.
Banks still expect loans to be resolved.
The apartment had equity.
We sold it.
The lender was paid.
Then remaining equity was divided under the settlement and applicable law.
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I walked away with less money than if I had stayed married peacefully.
Still worth it.
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