Chapter 538: Chapter 274: I’ve Tolerated You for a Long Ti, Swiss Bank!
After outlining the results of the trial, David returned to the bureau.
In the afternoon, a knock sounded on the door of the chief’s office, and David, who was dealing with paperwork, imdiately said, “Co in!”
The visitor was a tax investigator from the bureau, Moodiney, who, upon entering, promptly reported, “Chief, we’ve just discovered that the finances of Purdue Pharma, as well as other holding companies of the Sackler family, are all involved in a massive amount of falsification. We won’t be able to collect much of the 13 billion in fines.”
Upon hearing this, David was taken aback and then asked, “Why not seize all of their companies’ assets, shares, and such, and then auction them off for cash? That should work.”
This was the usual practice of the IRS; if the target genuinely couldn’t provide the funds, they could auction off any item of value to serve as paynt for taxes or fines.
“We intended to do just that, but it’s proving to be quite difficult!”
“How so?”
David’s gaze held a hint of confusion.
“Take Purdue Pharma for example. Although the company is controlled by the Sackler family, their shareholding structure is quite complex. The sa goes for their other enterprises. If we really have to proceed with an auction, we’d have to get into lengthy and strenuous legal battles with various companies and shareholders,” explained Moodiney.
“Is that so…”
David, propping his chin with his hand, knew that shareholding structures were not his area of expertise, but since Moodiney said so, it must have so rit. He continued, “Then don’t start with the shares. They’re all dripping with wealth, so they must have real estate, cars, or collections, right? Why not start with those?”
“There are so, but we’ve checked, and their total assets in Arica together barely amount to 1 billion US dollars, but the fine is 13 billion…”
“Wait a minute…”
Sothing crucial dawned on David. He asked, “As far as I know, the Sackler family alone withdrew over 20 billion from the Purdue Pharma accounts. Despite the scandal breaking out and them paying several billion in fines for a settlent, there should still be a considerable sum of cash left. Where did that money go?”
“That’s exactly the point. Previously, without the court’s verdict, we couldn’t get a detailed look into the Sackler family’s financial issues, and we were deceived by the fabricated data. But now with this investigation, we’ve discovered that from 2016 to 2022, they’ve secretly transferred most of the funds out…”
“Where to?”
“Swiss Bank.”
“Swiss Bank again!”
David frowned, recalling many past cases where they collected far less because criminals transferred money to Swiss banks.
Unexpectedly, the Sackler family’s fine was now related to the sa bank.
But this ti was different from before; this was a fine of 13 billion, and the people involved were imprisoned. If in the end, they couldn’t collect even half, it would be a total farce!
After pondering for a while, David finally said, “Notify the prison for . Tell them I want to see a mber of the Sackler family.”
“Understood!”
…
In the Los Angeles suburbs, an IRS-administered prison.
Upon arrival, David and his team imdiately headed to a eting room.
There, seated already, were Arthur, Mariano, and Theresa, all three dressed in uniform prison garb and with shaved heads, looking every bit the prisoners they were.
“How are the three of you finding prison life? Getting used to it?”
“After being used to a life of luxury, changing to this sort of life is indeed an interesting experience!” Arthur said with a laugh, as if he wasn’t here to serve a sentence but to experience life instead.
This attitude caused David to be perplexed once again. Even when the verdict was announced in court, the Sacklers remained calm, and now in prison, they still seed unfazed.
What gave them such strong peace of mind?
Unable to figure it out after so thought, David decided not to dwell on it. He began to explain his visit’s purpose, saying, “Is that so, good to know. Do you know why I’m here to see you?”
“Haha…”
Upon hearing this, Arthur simply chuckled, while Mariano and Theresa at his side burst into roaring laughter, seemingly very aware of David’s purpose.
“You motherfucker!”
Unable to contain his anger at the sight, Nisen wanted to teach them a lesson but was stopped by David’s outstretched hand, as he said, “What’s so funny?”
“Of course it’s funny. You’re trying to punish us with a 13 billion US dollar fine in court, but it would be a joke if you can’t collect it in the end, won’t it?”
Indeed, Mariano was well aware of the reason behind David’s visit.
“So, I’m here to ask for your cooperation. Make a call to the Swiss Bank and transfer the assets back,” said David.
“Hahahaha…”
Mariano and Theresa couldn’t help but laugh again, but at the sa ti, they looked at David as if he were a fool.
They could not believe David’s nerve. The Sacklers’ downfall was caused by him, and now he expected their cooperation?
What an international joke!
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