Chapter 13
In the weeks that followed there were many stories about Matt and the invisible government that the media was calling the Wall Street Cartel. Did it exist? If so, were the leaders of the cartel really trying to kill Matthew Coleman? Had he actually uncovered a sinister plot against the American people? Had they already lost our most precious treasure—liberty—without even realizing it? Many commentators acknowledged that much of what Matt said was true and commended him for awakening the American people. Others condemned him as just another opportunist with a get-rich scheme.
It didn’t help when Professor Swensen signed a seven-figure deal for a new book, “Go Broke, Die Rich.” It was to be a self-help book for the middle classes—a step by step manual on how to go from rags to riches. In the book Swensen outlined his formula for success. Since the average middle class American was paying more than a thousand dollars a month on interest payments to credit card companies with no hope of ever paying off the principal, he advocated filing bankruptcy and then investing that same thousand dollars each month. The net effect would be a dramatic shift of wealth from big business back to the middle classes where, he said, it belonged.
The problem with the theory was it failed to take human nature into consideration. Few people after filing bankruptcy and getting their fresh start would have the discipline to invest this sudden surplus of money. The temptation to spend it would be overwhelming and most would miss this incredible opportunity to shift from being an interest payer to an interest earner.
Matt was annoyed by Professor Swensen’s book deal and his short-sighted philosophy and tried to distance himself from it. He was beginning to envision something much grander and more important for the American people. He wanted no less than a rebirth of economic freedom and financial independence for all Americans. He believed that by freeing the middle classes from this economic straitjacket, there could be a rebirth of morality, a strengthening of the family, and a drastic decrease in crime and drug dealing. But he wasn’t naive like Professor Swensen. He knew it would take a monumental effort to educate the American people and turn them away from materialism. He had no idea how this could be accomplished, and at the moment had more pressing problems.
Early one morning, several weeks after the Senate hearing, Matt arrived at work and found Tom frantic.
"We just got a call from Wallace Green down at the courthouse. Joe didn't show up for the meeting."
"Is there anybody else around who can go?"
"No."
"Okay, just tell him I'm on my way. Do you have the file?"
"No, Joe has it."
"Shit! How am I supposed to do a 341 meeting without a file?"
"I can run a copy of the bankruptcy on the computer."
"No, that would take too much time. I'll just have to wing it."
"I'm sorry, Matt. Joe is usually very reliable."
Matt raced to the courthouse and was surprised to see a representative from the U.S. Trustee's office in the audience. He took his client aside.
"I'm sorry I'm late. Joe from our office was supposed to be here. I don't know what happened to him."
"It's okay. I'm just glad you got here. My ex-wife showed up."
"Really? Why would she be interested in this hearing?"
"She probably just wants to watch me hit bottom. She's a vindictive bitch."
"Well, don't worry about it. If she's not a creditor, I'll object to her asking any questions."
"Good."
The trustee finished up with the meeting that was in progress and the parties involved left. He flipped through his files, pulled one out and said, "Green."
Matt and Mr. Green went over to the table and sat down. Mr. Green's ex-wife joined them at the table. The trustee looked through the file and then said, "Mr. Green, do you swear to tell the truth?"
"Yes," he said.
"Mr. Coleman, you may proceed."
"Thank you. . . . Please state your name for the record."
"Wallace Peter Green."
"Mr. Green, I'm showing you the schedules and statement of affairs you filed in this case and I ask you: Are you familiar with these documents?"
"Yes."
"Is everything stated therein true and correct to the best of your knowledge?"
"Yes."
"What kind of business are you in?"
"I'm a landscape contractor."
"What were the circumstances that caused you to file this bankruptcy?"
"I lost my only contract."
"Have you been able to replace it?"
"No, I've tried but it may take months to find a new contract."
"So, you have no income now?"
"None."
"You own a home, correct?"
"Yes."
"And you're claiming it exempt along with your car, household furniture, clothing, jewelry, and an IRA, correct?"
"That's right."
"Pass the witness."
The trustee looked over at the ex-wife and said, "Ms. Green, do you have any questions?"
"I'm going to have to object to Ms. Green asking questions,” Matt said. “I don't believe she's a creditor in this estate."
"He was a month behind in his child support when he filed. I sure am a creditor."
Matt looked at Mr. Green and said, "Is that true?"
Mr. Green shook his head and said, "I was only ten days late, not a month."
"Then that qualifies her as a creditor, Mr. Coleman,” the Trustee replied. “You may proceed, Ms. Green."
"Thank you. . . . Okay, what Wally didn't tell you about was the insurance money."
"Objection, I don't think it's appropriate for Ms. Green to testify. If she has a question, that's fine, but . . ."
"Please just ask questions," the trustee said.
"Where is the insurance money?"
The trustee and Matt looked at Mr. Green intently. He squirmed in his seat and then looked at Matt and said, "I told you this wouldn't work."
"Huh?" Matt said.
"She's had a private detective following me around. She must have seen me stash the money."
"What money?"
"The insurance money I got when the last construction project burned down."
"You never told me about that."
"I sure did. You said as long as it was in cash nobody could ever trace it."
Matt looked at the trustee and said, "This is ridiculous. I would have never said anything like that!"
The trustee glared at Matt and then asked Mr. Green, "How much money did you collect on the insurance?"
"A hundred and fifty thousand dollars."
Matt turned white and nearly fainted. The representative from the U.S. Trustee's office stood up. Matt looked at her in disbelief at what was happening. She shook her head and said, "You'll be hearing from the FBI, Mr. Coleman!"
Matt sat back in his chair as all eyes were on him. The trustee cleared his throat and said, "I'm going to continue this meeting to a later date after I've had a chance to discuss it with the United States Trustee's office. Thank you."
By the time Matt recovered enough to stand up, Mr. Green was gone and everyone had left the room. As he sat there, his mind raced to remember his first interview with Mr. Green. He hadn't mentioned anything about insurance money. What was going on? Why would he lie like that? Matt left the room and went to the phone to call Lynn.
"Matt, you had to do a 341 meeting, huh?"
"Yes, and it will probably be my last."
"What's wrong?"
"I'm screwed!"
"What happened?"
"Mr. Green was concealing a hundred and fifty thousand dollars and he claims I knew all about it."
"What! But that's a lie."
"I know it's a lie, but it's his word against mine. I'm screwed."
"Why would he lie like that? . . . Oh God!"
"What?"
"It's the cartel. They weren't able to kill you so they set you up. Oh Matt! I'
m so scared! What are we going to do?"
"I don't know. I'm going to see Dad. Maybe he'll have some ideas."
Lynn broke out into tears and sobbed, "We should have listened to your father."
"It's too late to worry about that now. I'll call you after I've talked to him."