American Tax Officer

Nicola did not refuse; she immediately handed the documents over to the bailiff, who then brought them to the defense bench and gave them to Cathy.

After examining the documents, Cathy's expression gradually turned ugly, but in the end, she still argued, "Your Honor, my client's family business is vast, and some areas may have neglected to report taxes, which is quite normal."

"Additionally, subjectively speaking, my client never intended to evade taxes. If the Western Suburb Branch had warned us in time, the situation might have been different." Find more chapters on empire

Indeed, the Western Suburb Branch had not reminded the Camora family to pay their taxes but had taken action directly, so her defense was somewhat valid.

"Your Honor, I don't think there was mere negligence in the defendant's tax affairs. If that were the case, why did they rush to flee the country? Moreover, how do you explain the $63 million in cash they carried during the escape? Therefore, from a subjective standpoint, the defendant's actions certainly constitute willful tax evasion!" David immediately stood up to counter.

Cathy was at a loss for words because, no matter how eloquently she argued, the $63 million seized on the plane by the Western Suburbs Branch had been traced back to its source, leaving her unable to explain.

"Does the defense have anything further to add?"

Nicola's reminder from the bench finally brought Cathy back to her senses. After pondering for a moment, she spoke, "Your Honor, even if my client is involved in tax evasion, they have been actively cooperating with the Western Suburb Branch's investigation after being detained, which should be considered meritorious behavior!"

As a lawyer, when one cannot absolve their client of a specific charge, the only recourse is to seek a lighter punishment.

"Your Honor, the defendant would be demonstrating meritorious behavior if they had come to us directly to confess. However, only expressing willingness to cooperate after we intercepted their escape attempt does not qualify as such. Moreover, they have not disclosed their family's financial details or their Swiss bank accounts after being intercepted.

How can that be construed as meritorious behavior?"

After David finished speaking, Cathy did not know how to rebut, remaining speechless even after Nicola prompted her from the bench.

In fact, after the negotiation with David at the Western Suburb Branch fell through, she had anticipated that this would be the scenario in court. Now, she was merely clutching at straws in a last-ditch effort.

"Your Honor, we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg in this case. I would like to call my witnesses to complete the evidence chain."

As today's court session was public, David naturally wanted to present all the evidence, allowing viewers around the world to see that the IRS was not acting autocratically.

"Granted."

After receiving Nicola's permission, inspectors from the Western Suburb Branch walked out with a group of witnesses.

At the sight of these people, many members of the Camora family instantly became furious, some even cursing loudly on live broadcast.

David had said they were witnesses; they knew these people were here to testify against them.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

"Order in the court!"

Nicola struck the gavel firmly and then looked at the witnesses, asking, "Witnesses, please state your names and your relationship to the defendant."

"Your Honor, my name is Craig, and I am from... oh no, to be precise, I am the manager for the Camora family on Wilshire Boulevard..."

"Don't slander us, what manager? We don't even know you!"

Before Craig could finish, Bowersen from the defendant's bench loudly interrupted.

Craig's expression tensed, after all, the Camora family had reigned over Los Angeles for many years, and still held a deterrent effect on small players like him.

"Bang!"

Nicola struck the gavel and scolded, "Defendant, you must ask for permission before speaking in court. You may not shout without permission. Witness, please continue with your testimony!"

With Nicola's backing, Craig relaxed a little and organized his words to say, "Of course, while I'm affiliated with the Camora family, the family has joined the upper echelons over the years and naturally cannot be openly associated with us, so they have adopted a certain model, which works like this..."

"I see, such a clever remote control system by the family. This way, even if any of their leaders have issues, it cannot be traced back to them!"

"No wonder this family has become one of the elite families in Los Angeles. If there's trouble, their underlings take the fall, but when they make money, they get the lion's share."

"I always thought families like in The Godfather only existed in movies, but I never imagined they really existed in reality!"

As Craig narrated, the dirty business model of the Camora family was laid bare for the public to see, stirring discussions among viewers watching the live broadcast.

"Thank you for your testimony, witness. Next."

"Your Honor, my name is Mome, also affiliated with the Camora family. In their business model, I am responsible for the distribution of their legal fronts..."

"..."

In the time that followed, dozens of witnesses took turns, and through a series of accusations, ultimately directed all blame toward the Camora family.