Chapter 6 - The shower invoices

The baby shower cost:

$14,860.

That number came from invoices.

Catering:

$4,120.

Rentals:

$2,380.

Flowers:

$1,760.

Decorations:

$1,940.

Cake/dessert:

$890.

Photography:

$1,250.

Miscellaneous:

$2,520.

Veronica had told us:

“I paid every cent.”

Not true.

Her own credit card paid:

$5,010.

Elaine’s checking debit card paid:

$7,450.

Cash deposits attributable to Elaine’s withdrawals likely covered:

$2,400.

Total tied to Elaine:

Potentially $9,850.

But “tied to” did not automatically mean unauthorized.

Elaine had agreed to contribute $1,000.

Maybe more orally?

Veronica claimed:

Elaine said:

“Do whatever makes the party beautiful.”

Elaine denied.

No recording.

Then texts.

Elaine:

I’ll give $1,000 toward Claire’s shower. Send me the florist after.

Veronica:

That won’t cover anything.

Elaine:

Then keep it simple.

Strong.

Then two weeks later:

Veronica:

I put some shower charges on your card. I’ll straighten it out.

Elaine:

How much?

No response.

Elaine followed:

Veronica?

No response.

That hurt her defense.

Then there were legitimate expenses Veronica paid for Elaine during same period:

Property tax:

$4,280.

Dental bill:

$1,600.

Roof repair deposit:

$5,000.

Groceries.

Utilities.

Everything mixed through the same card.

No clean movie-villain ledger.

Independent forensic CPA:

Monica Reyes.

Elaine hired her.

She categorized:

Authorized/clearly for Elaine.

Likely personal to Veronica.

Family/shared and disputed.

Needs more support.

Good.

Then the $600 wallet cash.

Veronica’s lawyer said Elaine had asked for caterer gratuities.

Caterer told police:

Gratuity was already included.

Could Veronica have planned extra?

Possible.

Elaine denied.

Video showed Veronica looking around before opening wallet.

Behavior evidence.

Not proof of months.

Then assault case.

Veronica was charged with misdemeanor assault for slapping me.

No aggravated assault.

No fetal injury.

Daniel was not charged for the shove after prosecutor reviewed video and witness statements showing he used one shove to stop Veronica’s advance toward me and my phone, then stopped.

Not a medal.

Just insufficient evidence of unlawful force.

Veronica called it favoritism.

It wasn’t.

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Different conduct.

Different context.