The Diamond Syndicate

Prosecutor Swartz huffed and plopped back down into her seat.

Shakeeda looked at the judge, who nodded for her to proceed.

“I wouldn’t say I fantasized.”

“I didn’t say you fantasized. I asked you if you were thrilled to hear her stories. Did you look forward to talking with her?”

“Yes.”

“Did you on more than one occasion meet with the defendant after work at a bar and grill for drinks?”

Shakeeda was at a loss for words. When she looked over at her boss, his face showed shock. She didn’t want to admit to that. She finally looked over at Diamond and saw that Diamond was looking right through her. She knew she was in trouble now.

“Ms. Bingham, answer the question, please,” Judge Fritz said.

Prosecutor Swartz sat forward in her seat, a look of contempt on her face.

“Yes, we did.”

“So, back to my original question. Would you say you and the defendant Diamond Reed were friends?”

“Yes.” Shakeeda was ready to scream.

“Ms. Bingham, did you or did you not ask the defendant if she wanted to help you with setting up some fraudulent claims because you were struggling?”

“No,” she said, shocked that they would try to flip this around on her.

“Sure, you did. In fact, didn’t you have a false claim going to your sister’s house to cover up what you were doing?”

“No!” Shakeeda shouted.

“Didn’t you know all along that Diamond was seeing Dr. Ricci, and you, in fact, didn’t report anything to the fraud department until Diamond no longer returned your calls or contacted you?”

“No! That’s a lie.”

“Did you tell the defendant she should submit false claims so that the money could be split between the two of you, since she worked for Dr. Ricci?”

“No!”

Diamond shouted. “You’re lying!”

“Order in the court!” Judge Fritz said. “Ms. Reed, another outburst and you’re gone!”

Kendall placed his hand on Diamond’s arm to calm her.

“Get off me!” Diamond snatched away her arm.

“You knew Diamond was ignoring your calls, and it made you angry that she was keeping all of the money,” Kyle continued. “You were jealous, so you threatened her by telling her that you would make up a story, saying that she wanted to submit false claims because she wouldn’t do it for you, right?” Kyle reported what Diamond had told him about Shakeeda.

“No, that’s not true!”

Kyle, his hands clasped in front of him, walked back over to the table and faced Shakeeda.

“No more questions, Your Honor.”

“Ms. Swartz, redirect?” the judge asked.

“No, Your Honor.”