Once upon a time, suicide was considered a gentlemanly thing to do, in order to spare your family from humiliation and financial ruin. My own life insurance policy does not have a no-suicide clause, although there was one in effect for the first two years, and I expect that this is the case for many, if not most, people.
Speaking of public humiliation, a local lawyer who used to be a judge was indicted yesterday for taking over $200,000 from an account he was administering for a couple of old people in a nursing home.
The scuttlebutt around the courthouse was that he had turned in his license and was trying to work out some sort of deal to avoid criminal prosecution, but I guess he couldn't repay the money.
I used to rent my office space from his partner, and had many cordial conversations with him for the two or so years that I shared office space with him. I thought the world of him. I thought he was one of the good guys. I looked up to him.
It was a terrible blow to me, although nothing like the blow his bright, beautiful wife and his lovely daughters must be feeling.
He is out of jail on personal recognizance. I did not see him coming into the court for his arraignment, but I saw him afterwards. I tried to smile and wave but my heart wasn't in it.
If I were in his shoes, I think I'd be thinking long and hard about suicide rather than prison and financial ruin for my family. My life insurance would give them an easier life.
Not that I wish ill on this man - it's just that he is going to suffer a great deal for his wrongdoing. After the fraud case, the IRS will be right behind. |
