1 00:00:06,233 --> 00:00:09,133 She stole money from your PayPal account. 2 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:11,000 That's correct, Your Honor. 3 00:00:11,066 --> 00:00:12,567 What did you do with his money? 4 00:00:12,633 --> 00:00:15,000 She was gonna empty your bank account. 5 00:00:15,066 --> 00:00:16,500 No. 6 00:00:16,567 --> 00:00:19,467 And her claim, that it was her ex-boyfriend who did it, 7 00:00:19,533 --> 00:00:21,734 is a bunch of BS. 8 00:00:22,767 --> 00:00:24,600 I think you are so full of it. 9 00:00:24,667 --> 00:00:26,967 The--oh, the tears, the patting your cheeks. 10 00:00:28,300 --> 00:00:29,367 Welcome to reality. 11 00:00:29,433 --> 00:00:31,734 [announcer] Now, on Tribunal Justice. 12 00:00:32,834 --> 00:00:35,900 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays] 13 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:57,800 [announcer] Today's case was filed in Murrieta, California. 14 00:00:57,867 --> 00:01:00,233 Your Honor, this is case number 2091, 15 00:01:00,300 --> 00:01:02,000 Betancourt versus Abril. 16 00:01:02,066 --> 00:01:03,633 - Thank you, Cassandra. - You're welcome. 17 00:01:03,700 --> 00:01:05,367 You may be seated. 18 00:01:05,432 --> 00:01:08,700 [Judge Levy] Mr. Betancourt, you're suing Ms. Abril, 19 00:01:08,767 --> 00:01:10,467 - who was your former friend? - Yes. 20 00:01:10,533 --> 00:01:13,834 You're suing her 'cause you say that she stole money 21 00:01:13,900 --> 00:01:19,233 from your PayPal account to the tune of $7,115. 22 00:01:19,533 --> 00:01:21,265 And she also, according to your complaint, 23 00:01:21,333 --> 00:01:25,000 stole assorted electronic devices from your apartment 24 00:01:25,066 --> 00:01:28,233 valued at approximately $3,400, 25 00:01:28,300 --> 00:01:32,033 and she did this while you were in jail on a drug charge. 26 00:01:32,100 --> 00:01:33,834 - Is that correct? - That's correct, Your Honor. 27 00:01:33,900 --> 00:01:36,233 And, Ms. Abril, I've read your answer, 28 00:01:36,300 --> 00:01:39,900 and in short, you said you didn't steal any of the money, 29 00:01:39,967 --> 00:01:42,000 you didn't steal any of the property, 30 00:01:42,066 --> 00:01:45,633 and instead it was an abusive ex-boyfriend of yours 31 00:01:45,700 --> 00:01:47,934 who stole your phone 32 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:51,000 and once he gained access to your phone, 33 00:01:51,066 --> 00:01:53,900 it was your ex-boyfriend who stole the money 34 00:01:53,967 --> 00:01:56,433 and then somehow also stole the property. 35 00:01:56,500 --> 00:01:58,300 - Is that right? - Correct. 36 00:01:58,366 --> 00:02:01,300 So, Mr. Betancourt, describe the relationship that you had 37 00:02:01,367 --> 00:02:04,734 with the defendant in or around August of 2023, 38 00:02:05,100 --> 00:02:06,800 'cause that's when you were incarcerated, correct? 39 00:02:06,867 --> 00:02:07,867 Yes. That's correct. 40 00:02:07,934 --> 00:02:11,400 We knew each other for roughly eight months, just under a year. 41 00:02:11,467 --> 00:02:13,767 We would see each other three to five times a week. 42 00:02:14,166 --> 00:02:16,800 Our kids got along really well. We have kids the same age. 43 00:02:16,867 --> 00:02:18,867 - I mean, we... - Was it a romantic relationship? 44 00:02:18,934 --> 00:02:21,000 - It was romantic, yes. - [Judge Levy] Okay. And, Ms. Abril, 45 00:02:21,066 --> 00:02:22,934 just so I'm clear, according to your answer, 46 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:27,266 you described your relationship with the plaintiff as really close friends 47 00:02:27,333 --> 00:02:29,500 and you considered him "like a brother"? 48 00:02:29,567 --> 00:02:31,333 Hmm, in a sense. 49 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:33,266 [Judge Levy] Well, that's--in a sense? That's what you wrote. 50 00:02:33,333 --> 00:02:34,767 - Yes. - [Judge Levy] Okay. 51 00:02:34,834 --> 00:02:36,867 So how was it then, Mr. Betancourt, 52 00:02:36,934 --> 00:02:40,633 that Ms. Abril here had access to your PayPal account, 53 00:02:40,700 --> 00:02:42,966 passwords, login, and things of that nature? 54 00:02:43,033 --> 00:02:45,633 I had previously offered this information, 55 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:48,333 roughly August 20th... 56 00:02:48,400 --> 00:02:51,133 - [Judge Levy] August 20th of 2023? - ... of '23, yes. 57 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:52,200 Why did you do that? 58 00:02:52,266 --> 00:02:54,300 I offered it to her in emergency situation. 59 00:02:54,367 --> 00:02:56,934 I had been approached by a friend of mine 60 00:02:57,000 --> 00:03:01,367 asking me for some assistance with helping him move his vehicle from TJ. 61 00:03:01,433 --> 00:03:02,800 - [Judge Levy] From TJ? - Tijuana. 62 00:03:02,867 --> 00:03:04,300 - [Judge Levy] From Mexico? - Yeah. That's correct. 63 00:03:04,367 --> 00:03:06,367 - Back to this country? - [Samuel] Yes. That's correct. 64 00:03:06,433 --> 00:03:09,066 I've never been to Mexico. I was afraid to go to Mexico. 65 00:03:09,133 --> 00:03:10,166 I shared this with her. 66 00:03:10,233 --> 00:03:12,567 I said, "Listen, I'm gonna go help him move this car. 67 00:03:12,633 --> 00:03:14,967 He's gonna pay me this amount of money." 68 00:03:15,033 --> 00:03:17,166 And I was--at the time, I was in a financial hardship. 69 00:03:17,233 --> 00:03:20,166 So I said, "Worst-case scenario, I'm gonna give this information. 70 00:03:20,233 --> 00:03:21,767 And if something happens while I'm gone, 71 00:03:21,834 --> 00:03:24,500 can you just take care of these things?" I didn't have a passport. 72 00:03:24,567 --> 00:03:26,400 I don't know the rules of going in and out of Mexico. 73 00:03:26,466 --> 00:03:27,633 I've never--I had never been. 74 00:03:28,033 --> 00:03:30,400 It was instilled in me young in my military, 75 00:03:30,466 --> 00:03:32,600 'cause I was in the military, just stay out of Mexico 76 00:03:32,667 --> 00:03:34,333 'cause there's nothing but trouble in Mexico. 77 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:36,900 So this one time I got the guts to do it, 78 00:03:36,966 --> 00:03:39,934 I shared with Cassandra my concern about it 79 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:43,066 and I gave her my information just in an emergency situation. 80 00:03:43,133 --> 00:03:44,633 [Judge Levy] So what was it that you gave to her? 81 00:03:44,700 --> 00:03:47,233 [Samuel] I gave her my password to my email, 82 00:03:47,300 --> 00:03:48,966 the password to my PayPal account. 83 00:03:49,033 --> 00:03:52,966 I gave her full access to my financial, to my VA direct deposit account. 84 00:03:53,033 --> 00:03:54,600 What kind of money do you get from the VA? 85 00:03:54,667 --> 00:03:56,466 [Samuel] I'm a hundred percent service-connected 86 00:03:56,533 --> 00:03:59,834 due to injuries that I retained in Iraq and Afghanistan. 87 00:03:59,900 --> 00:04:01,233 And those monies are deposited... 88 00:04:01,300 --> 00:04:04,133 And they were, at that time, deposited into my PayPal account. 89 00:04:04,200 --> 00:04:07,834 So that was my direct deposit account that I would use for my everyday banking. 90 00:04:07,900 --> 00:04:09,500 [Judge Levy] So far, everything that he says is true, ma'am? 91 00:04:09,567 --> 00:04:10,834 Yes. 92 00:04:10,900 --> 00:04:13,033 In addition to providing her with that password 93 00:04:13,100 --> 00:04:15,900 and account information, did you also provide her 94 00:04:15,967 --> 00:04:19,266 with information about your landlord and how to contact your landlord? 95 00:04:19,332 --> 00:04:20,667 - [Samuel] I did that. - Why? 96 00:04:20,733 --> 00:04:22,667 Just the worst-case scenario. I said, "Hey, listen, if I..." 97 00:04:22,734 --> 00:04:24,033 [Judge Levy] Worst-case scenario what? 98 00:04:24,100 --> 00:04:26,533 You didn't think there was anything illegal about what you were going to do, 99 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:27,533 - did you? - In the back of my mind, 100 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:29,467 - I had a--I had a... - [Judge Levy] Of course, you did. 101 00:04:29,533 --> 00:04:31,600 - Of course, you did. And so you... - [Samuel] Yeah. At that time, Your Honor, 102 00:04:31,667 --> 00:04:34,066 I had a--I had a horrible lapse in judgment. 103 00:04:34,133 --> 00:04:38,367 And I knew the person who was requesting this--making this offer 104 00:04:38,433 --> 00:04:42,066 wasn't credible and wasn't reliable and I knew the risk, 105 00:04:42,133 --> 00:04:45,867 but I was just in a--in a hardship, my lease is coming up to an end, 106 00:04:45,933 --> 00:04:48,332 and I just--it was out of my character to do what I did. 107 00:04:48,400 --> 00:04:49,834 I got detained at the border. 108 00:04:49,900 --> 00:04:51,400 I called her from the border. 109 00:04:51,467 --> 00:04:54,000 I said, "Listen, I'm detained, bail me out, 110 00:04:54,066 --> 00:04:56,100 and I'll handle my financial situation." 111 00:04:56,166 --> 00:04:57,834 I told her exactly that on the phone, on the call. 112 00:04:57,900 --> 00:04:59,300 [Judge Levy] And is that correct? 113 00:04:59,367 --> 00:05:00,500 No, he didn't. 114 00:05:00,567 --> 00:05:01,500 [Judge Levy] He didn't tell you anything like that? 115 00:05:01,567 --> 00:05:04,166 He said, "Just go by what I had messaged you." 116 00:05:04,233 --> 00:05:06,333 - [Judge Levy] And how much was bail? - 2,000. 117 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:08,600 And how much did you have in your PayPal account? 118 00:05:08,667 --> 00:05:10,533 I was two days away from my direct deposit hitting, 119 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:12,133 so the money was coming in. 120 00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:14,600 $3,557. 121 00:05:14,667 --> 00:05:17,467 And you're saying that he never asked you to post that bail for him? 122 00:05:17,533 --> 00:05:21,033 What--see, what happened was is we didn't know until about five 123 00:05:21,100 --> 00:05:24,967 or it may even been a whole week later what his bail was even gonna be. 124 00:05:25,033 --> 00:05:27,332 Great. So when you found out how much his bail was gonna be, 125 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:28,533 - did you make arrangements to pay it? - [Abril] That's when I-- 126 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:31,332 that's when I attempt-- I started to attempt to try 127 00:05:31,400 --> 00:05:34,400 and somehow get the money out of the account. 128 00:05:34,467 --> 00:05:35,467 Did you get the money out of the account? 129 00:05:35,533 --> 00:05:36,533 No, I wasn't able to. 130 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:37,800 You didn't get any money out of the account? 131 00:05:37,867 --> 00:05:41,933 There's one transaction for $300 that I did--was able to get 132 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:44,700 and it was through somebody, a mutual friend. 133 00:05:44,767 --> 00:05:46,900 How was it that you got the $300? 134 00:05:46,967 --> 00:05:49,834 Well, I sent the 300 from Samuel's bank-- 135 00:05:49,900 --> 00:05:53,667 I sent it from his PayPal to that person's PayPal. 136 00:05:53,734 --> 00:05:55,967 That person had their bank account connected, 137 00:05:56,033 --> 00:05:58,633 so they went to the ATM and pulled the money out. 138 00:05:58,700 --> 00:06:01,300 - [Judge Levy] And you took $300 out? - Yes. 139 00:06:01,367 --> 00:06:03,433 So why didn't you take out the money and get him bailed out? 140 00:06:03,500 --> 00:06:05,266 [Abril] 'Cause it wouldn't let me do more than the 300. 141 00:06:05,333 --> 00:06:06,333 [Judge Levy] So you just let him stay in jail? 142 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:07,567 You can see our attempts. 143 00:06:07,633 --> 00:06:09,900 [Judge Levy] So August 31st, September 1st, 144 00:06:09,967 --> 00:06:11,200 September 2nd, September 3rd... 145 00:06:11,266 --> 00:06:15,734 Well, I wasn't with the person all those days. It was just... 146 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:18,633 So you're pretty much sitting in jail knowing you have money to get out 147 00:06:18,700 --> 00:06:21,100 but your girlfriend is letting you sit in jail? 148 00:06:21,166 --> 00:06:23,700 - Yes, Your Honor. Exactly. - That's not true. 149 00:06:23,767 --> 00:06:25,934 [Judge Levy] I'm gonna direct your attention to exhibit two. 150 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:28,332 PayPal transaction history. 151 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:31,200 - You were in jail on August 20... - [Samuel] 22nd. 152 00:06:31,266 --> 00:06:32,266 - 22nd. - Yes, sir. 153 00:06:32,332 --> 00:06:35,667 And the deposit from the Veterans Association went in on the... 154 00:06:35,734 --> 00:06:37,200 - [Samuel] 28th. - [Judge Levy] ... 28th. 155 00:06:37,266 --> 00:06:38,266 Yes, sir. 156 00:06:38,332 --> 00:06:40,600 [Judge Levy] You are Cassandra Abril, right? 157 00:06:40,667 --> 00:06:41,667 Yes. 158 00:06:41,734 --> 00:06:42,734 [Judge Levy] These are mobile payments... 159 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:44,133 - [Abril] Yes. - [Judge Levy] ... made to you. 160 00:06:44,200 --> 00:06:47,367 August 30th, to you, $400. 161 00:06:47,433 --> 00:06:51,266 August 30th, to you, $887. 162 00:06:51,332 --> 00:06:54,900 August 30th, again, to you, $1,000. 163 00:06:54,967 --> 00:06:59,066 November 2nd, 2023, to you, $300. 164 00:06:59,133 --> 00:07:03,900 November 3rd, 2003, to you, $400. 165 00:07:03,967 --> 00:07:06,066 - That would have gotten him out of jail. - Yes. 166 00:07:06,133 --> 00:07:09,367 - You're right. You're completely right. - [Judge Levy] So what were you doing? 167 00:07:09,433 --> 00:07:12,200 Now, I was in a domestic violence relationship. 168 00:07:12,266 --> 00:07:14,000 - Not in August, you weren't. - Yes, I was. 169 00:07:14,066 --> 00:07:15,967 He--it was before he even got arrested. 170 00:07:16,033 --> 00:07:17,467 He was aware of the abuse. 171 00:07:17,533 --> 00:07:21,100 He witnessed some of the abuse himself. 172 00:07:21,166 --> 00:07:23,332 - [Judge Levy] [laughs] - The man would not leave me alone. 173 00:07:23,400 --> 00:07:26,166 He witnessed the man going through my bedroom window. 174 00:07:26,233 --> 00:07:28,300 You also asked her to pay you rent, right? 175 00:07:28,367 --> 00:07:29,367 Yes, Your Honor. 176 00:07:29,433 --> 00:07:32,367 [Judge Levy] August 20th, you admitted, according to your paperwork, ma'am, 177 00:07:32,433 --> 00:07:37,133 he sent you a text, log in to his PayPal, pay Ken, my landlord, 178 00:07:37,200 --> 00:07:40,000 and he gave you a list of things to pay, and you didn't do any of that. 179 00:07:40,066 --> 00:07:43,100 - I--by that point, my... - [Judge Levy] You didn't do any of that. 180 00:07:43,166 --> 00:07:44,867 - No, I didn't. - [Judge Levy] As a result of you 181 00:07:44,933 --> 00:07:47,667 failing to pay his rent, what happened to your place? 182 00:07:47,734 --> 00:07:49,166 I lost a hundred percent of everything I own. 183 00:07:49,233 --> 00:07:50,233 [Judge Levy] Gone. 184 00:07:50,300 --> 00:07:51,500 Like a brother. 185 00:07:51,567 --> 00:07:53,767 - That's what you said in your answer. - He--yes, I did say that. 186 00:07:53,834 --> 00:07:55,800 By the way, what was it that you were arrested? 187 00:07:55,867 --> 00:07:56,967 The actual charge? 188 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:00,934 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 189 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:02,000 She know him too? 190 00:08:02,066 --> 00:08:03,367 Yeah, I don't know if she still associates with him but... 191 00:08:03,433 --> 00:08:04,433 [Judge DiMango] Whoa, whoa. 192 00:08:04,500 --> 00:08:06,400 - So she knows this guy? - Uh-uh. I only knew him... 193 00:08:06,467 --> 00:08:07,600 [Judge DiMango] I'm not talking to you. 194 00:08:07,667 --> 00:08:08,734 [Samuel] She... 195 00:08:08,800 --> 00:08:10,300 When I wanna hear a lie, I'll ask you a question. 196 00:08:10,367 --> 00:08:11,900 [dramatic musical sting] 197 00:08:13,900 --> 00:08:15,166 [theme music plays] 198 00:08:15,233 --> 00:08:17,967 [announcer] Samuel Betancourt is suing former friend, 199 00:08:18,033 --> 00:08:22,567 Cassandra Abril, for $10,000 in stolen funds and property. 200 00:08:22,633 --> 00:08:26,867 Samuel claims when he was in prison, Cassandra stole his money 201 00:08:26,934 --> 00:08:29,400 instead of using it to help him get out of jail, 202 00:08:29,467 --> 00:08:32,000 but Cassandra blames her crazy ex-boyfriend 203 00:08:32,066 --> 00:08:35,633 for all thefts and claims she's innocent. 204 00:08:35,700 --> 00:08:38,066 What was it that you were arrested? The actual charge? 205 00:08:38,133 --> 00:08:40,734 - Transportation of narcotics. - [Judge Levy] What narcotics? 206 00:08:40,799 --> 00:08:42,100 Of meth. 207 00:08:42,165 --> 00:08:43,799 - [Judge Levy] And what else? - And fentanyl. The... 208 00:08:43,866 --> 00:08:45,967 - How much? - [Samuel] ... vehicle that I drove... 209 00:08:46,033 --> 00:08:47,467 - [Judge Levy] Yeah? - ... I didn't see it get packed. 210 00:08:47,533 --> 00:08:49,567 I didn't know it was that extreme. I thought... 211 00:08:49,633 --> 00:08:50,734 [Judge Levy] You knew there were drugs in the car. 212 00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:52,033 I knew it was--I knew it was illegal. 213 00:08:52,100 --> 00:08:54,133 It could have been a stolen car. My heart goes out... 214 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:56,333 The last thing you wanna start doing right now, 215 00:08:56,400 --> 00:08:57,800 Mr. Betancourt, is start lying. 216 00:08:57,867 --> 00:08:59,767 [Samuel] Your Honor, I already pled guilty to the charges. 217 00:08:59,834 --> 00:09:01,900 - [Judge Levy] Yeah, I know you did. So... - And I'm--And on Monday, 218 00:09:01,967 --> 00:09:05,033 I'm going to prison for three to five years because of it. 219 00:09:05,100 --> 00:09:07,967 And then--it doesn't make it okay but I'm ready to pay my debt 220 00:09:08,033 --> 00:09:10,633 - to society for my choices. - It was a bad choice. 221 00:09:10,700 --> 00:09:13,300 I just wanna resolve this situation before I go. 222 00:09:13,367 --> 00:09:14,367 [Judge Levy] I appreciate that. 223 00:09:14,433 --> 00:09:17,000 When you said that you made an error in judgment, 224 00:09:17,066 --> 00:09:18,800 do you know how much drugs were in that vehicle? 225 00:09:18,867 --> 00:09:20,000 - I don't. - [Judge Levy] Yes, you do. 226 00:09:20,066 --> 00:09:22,500 - I don't. - 67 pounds of methamphetamines 227 00:09:22,567 --> 00:09:24,033 and 12 pounds of fentanyl. 228 00:09:24,100 --> 00:09:26,066 - Yeah, I did--I did know that. - [Judge Levy] Yeah, you did, 229 00:09:26,133 --> 00:09:28,467 - 'cause that's what you pled guilty to. - That's what I pled guilty to. 230 00:09:28,533 --> 00:09:30,266 Just because that's what you did 231 00:09:30,333 --> 00:09:32,433 doesn't mean that she's not gonna owe you money. 232 00:09:32,500 --> 00:09:35,333 I don't believe this for a minute. Show me a police report 233 00:09:35,400 --> 00:09:39,934 where you specifically reported your ex-boyfriend 234 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:44,066 for stealing money that belonged to the person you treated like a brother. 235 00:09:44,133 --> 00:09:45,600 I have a restraining order I... 236 00:09:45,667 --> 00:09:47,467 [Judge Levy] I don't care about restraining orders. 237 00:09:47,533 --> 00:09:49,333 You applied for a restraining order 238 00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:50,567 and then you never showed up 239 00:09:50,633 --> 00:09:52,533 - and it got dismissed. - No. I have another one that's pending. 240 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:53,767 [Judge Levy] And then you filed another one 241 00:09:53,834 --> 00:09:56,567 only after you figured he was getting out of jail. 242 00:09:56,633 --> 00:09:59,767 - [Abril] No. - So let me explain to you how I saw this. 243 00:09:59,834 --> 00:10:02,734 When she found out that you got caught, 244 00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:03,834 she never thought 245 00:10:03,900 --> 00:10:05,333 - you were getting out of jail... - No. 246 00:10:05,400 --> 00:10:07,200 [Judge Levy] ... and she was gonna empty your bank account. 247 00:10:07,266 --> 00:10:08,266 No. 248 00:10:08,333 --> 00:10:09,467 [Judge Levy] That's exactly what happened. 249 00:10:09,533 --> 00:10:14,367 And her claim that it was her ex-boyfriend who did it is a bunch of BS, 250 00:10:14,433 --> 00:10:17,867 'cause the first thing that she would have done is call the police. 251 00:10:17,934 --> 00:10:18,934 But she didn't do it. 252 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:22,400 The reason why she went to court and got the restraining order, 253 00:10:22,467 --> 00:10:26,000 by the way, was just so that it-- it was like an alibi 254 00:10:26,066 --> 00:10:29,266 for your case against her, to say, "Hey, it wasn't me. 255 00:10:29,333 --> 00:10:30,934 It was my crazy ex-boyfriend. 256 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:34,333 And here's the restraining order that I had to get to protect myself," 257 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:38,165 in December, after you already made bail 'cause--who made your bail? 258 00:10:38,233 --> 00:10:39,233 My sister-in-law. 259 00:10:39,300 --> 00:10:40,300 [Judge Levy] Sister-in-law posted that bail. 260 00:10:40,367 --> 00:10:41,800 [Abril] And I wasn't aware that he had made bail. 261 00:10:41,867 --> 00:10:45,367 I was not aware. I did--I am a victim of domestic violence. 262 00:10:45,433 --> 00:10:46,767 A lot of domestic violence. 263 00:10:46,834 --> 00:10:48,500 - Me and my children both. - [Judge Levy] Listen, 264 00:10:48,567 --> 00:10:50,033 I'm not saying you did and I'm not saying you didn't. 265 00:10:50,100 --> 00:10:51,900 [Abril] I have--I did call the police. 266 00:10:51,967 --> 00:10:54,300 - There are police reports. I did... - [Judge Levy] Show me. 267 00:10:54,367 --> 00:10:57,567 Show me a police report that says that your crazy ex-boyfriend 268 00:10:57,633 --> 00:11:01,500 stole $7,115 of this man's money. 269 00:11:01,567 --> 00:11:02,700 Show it. 270 00:11:02,767 --> 00:11:05,133 They're for domestic violence. They're not for anything else. 271 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:07,867 They're for him stealing my phone. They're for him stealing my keys. 272 00:11:07,934 --> 00:11:09,934 They're for him coming into my home and abusing me... 273 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:12,467 [Judge Levy] Burglary? So your ex-boyfriend commits burglary, 274 00:11:12,533 --> 00:11:14,467 - puts you, your children at risk... - [Abril] Accused... 275 00:11:14,533 --> 00:11:16,367 ... right, and you don't contact the police? Listen... 276 00:11:16,433 --> 00:11:17,633 - He threatened my life... - [Judge Levy] Okay. 277 00:11:18,033 --> 00:11:19,433 ... in front of multiple people. 278 00:11:19,500 --> 00:11:22,700 Listen, she thought you were never getting out of jail. 279 00:11:22,767 --> 00:11:24,567 - No. That's not true. - [Judge Levy] Judge Acker. 280 00:11:24,633 --> 00:11:25,667 [Judge Acker] Thank you, Judge. 281 00:11:25,734 --> 00:11:29,300 You know, Mr. Betancourt, I am at a loss to understand 282 00:11:29,367 --> 00:11:32,467 how somebody who served his country 283 00:11:32,533 --> 00:11:36,433 in Iraq and Afghanistan ends up in a situation 284 00:11:36,500 --> 00:11:38,700 where you make such a bad choice, 285 00:11:38,767 --> 00:11:43,233 because to have gone from a place where you were doing something noble 286 00:11:43,300 --> 00:11:45,700 to end up in this situation is, to me, really tragic. 287 00:11:45,767 --> 00:11:47,433 - I'm ashamed. - [Judge Acker] What happened? 288 00:11:52,900 --> 00:11:54,333 I just--there's no excuse. 289 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:55,967 [Judge Acker] Why were things so desperate? 290 00:11:57,433 --> 00:12:01,600 I just--I was in a situation and I just didn't make the right choice. 291 00:12:01,667 --> 00:12:03,934 Plain and simple. No excuses. And... 292 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:06,667 [Judge Acker] Why were you in such dire straits? 293 00:12:06,734 --> 00:12:09,834 In 2021, I lost everything to a house fire. 294 00:12:09,900 --> 00:12:12,133 2022, I got a house. 295 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:14,000 2023 came, my lease my ending. 296 00:12:14,066 --> 00:12:15,967 I couldn't afford to extend that lease 297 00:12:16,033 --> 00:12:18,734 with my VA disability and things didn't come. 298 00:12:18,800 --> 00:12:22,867 Opportunity came-- or a so-called opportunity crossed my path 299 00:12:22,934 --> 00:12:27,400 and it was supposed to be easy money and--completely out of my character. 300 00:12:27,467 --> 00:12:29,166 Something I've never done before. 301 00:12:29,233 --> 00:12:31,000 Never even been to Mexico before. 302 00:12:31,066 --> 00:12:32,800 And I took the risk 303 00:12:32,867 --> 00:12:35,300 'cause I don't wanna go back on the streets and be homeless. 304 00:12:35,367 --> 00:12:37,633 I was in the middle of a custody battle. I didn't-- 305 00:12:37,700 --> 00:12:40,500 I don't wanna lose my-- lose my shared custody. 306 00:12:40,567 --> 00:12:44,066 And I just-- I was overwhelmed and I did that. 307 00:12:44,133 --> 00:12:48,734 You know, it's unbecoming of a Marine to make the choices I did and... 308 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:51,834 You will pay your debt and you will have a chance to make better choices. 309 00:12:51,900 --> 00:12:55,967 I'm at a loss to understand how some things happened. 310 00:12:56,033 --> 00:12:59,066 You've said that you are a victim of domestic violence. 311 00:12:59,133 --> 00:13:01,000 I'm not here to challenge that. 312 00:13:01,066 --> 00:13:05,700 But I am here to challenge that you now have a great opportunity 313 00:13:05,767 --> 00:13:07,400 to rid yourself of this person. 314 00:13:07,467 --> 00:13:10,734 Not only is he coming after you but he is stealing from you. 315 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:11,800 Uh-hmm. 316 00:13:11,867 --> 00:13:13,000 [Judge Acker] According to these records, 317 00:13:13,066 --> 00:13:16,200 you made an application for a TRO in January. 318 00:13:16,266 --> 00:13:18,433 - [Abril] Uh-hmm. - That's a month after he got out. 319 00:13:18,500 --> 00:13:20,133 - I didn't... - [Judge Acker] And then in February 320 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:22,800 when your TRO was set for hearing, 321 00:13:22,867 --> 00:13:26,066 instead of showing up in court and saying, "You know what, Your Honor?" 322 00:13:26,133 --> 00:13:29,433 - [Abril] Uh-hmm. - "This man has threatened to kill me. 323 00:13:29,500 --> 00:13:30,900 He is stealing from him," 324 00:13:30,967 --> 00:13:33,700 but you can't be bothered to show up in court. 325 00:13:33,767 --> 00:13:34,767 - Why? - [Abril] I was scared. 326 00:13:34,834 --> 00:13:36,767 I was scared. I'm still scared. 327 00:13:36,834 --> 00:13:38,533 I'm still dealing with the trauma. 328 00:13:39,867 --> 00:13:42,400 Just talking about it is bringing it all back. 329 00:13:44,967 --> 00:13:46,133 I'm sorry. 330 00:13:47,667 --> 00:13:48,967 My kids witnessed it. 331 00:13:49,033 --> 00:13:51,767 I have clips to prove it now that I was able to finally 332 00:13:51,834 --> 00:13:54,900 get into the iCloud from the device that he stole. 333 00:13:56,100 --> 00:13:58,467 I'd like to see the video that you've submitted. 334 00:14:01,233 --> 00:14:02,266 What are we seeing? 335 00:14:03,266 --> 00:14:04,834 [Abril] God. No, I'm sorry. 336 00:14:04,900 --> 00:14:05,934 [child] No. 337 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:08,266 [Abril] Don't do this please. 338 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:09,800 Stop. 339 00:14:09,867 --> 00:14:11,233 [man] What's your problem? 340 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:15,900 [Judge Acker] When was that video taken? 341 00:14:18,133 --> 00:14:19,834 That one is in November, I believe. 342 00:14:19,900 --> 00:14:22,033 - I'm not--I can't... - [Judge Acker] November? 343 00:14:22,100 --> 00:14:25,066 Because the plaintiff has submitted evidence 344 00:14:25,133 --> 00:14:28,066 of you on his Snapchat. 345 00:14:28,133 --> 00:14:29,367 Didn't you submit that, sir? 346 00:14:29,433 --> 00:14:30,433 [Samuel] Yes, Your Honor. 347 00:14:30,867 --> 00:14:32,333 [Judge Acker] November 14th. 348 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:33,900 Here's a nice photo collage. 349 00:14:33,967 --> 00:14:36,567 Instead of taking selfies and taking pictures 350 00:14:36,633 --> 00:14:39,333 and posting photos of yourself on Snapchat, 351 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:41,033 you could have called the police. 352 00:14:41,100 --> 00:14:43,734 Where was he? Where were you on November 14th, sir? 353 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:46,066 - Federal custody. - [Judge Acker] Still in jail. 354 00:14:46,133 --> 00:14:47,633 - [Samuel] Yes, Your Honor. - [Judge Acker] Mr. Betancourt, 355 00:14:47,700 --> 00:14:49,400 before I pass the case, I understand you 356 00:14:49,467 --> 00:14:51,700 also maintain that there were some items 357 00:14:51,767 --> 00:14:53,000 that were stolen from your home, 358 00:14:53,066 --> 00:14:55,200 your children's iPads, really everything. 359 00:14:55,266 --> 00:14:58,734 What evidence do you have to link the defendant to that theft? 360 00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:01,767 The only thing I was able to put together is a notarized statement 361 00:15:01,834 --> 00:15:03,300 from my kids' mother. 362 00:15:03,367 --> 00:15:05,967 She was the one that was making trips to check on my home. 363 00:15:06,033 --> 00:15:08,967 She wrote it out. She touched base with my landlord 364 00:15:09,033 --> 00:15:11,633 and my landlord shared with her in her statement 365 00:15:11,700 --> 00:15:14,600 saying that Cassandra was spotted several times 366 00:15:14,667 --> 00:15:17,133 breaking into the house, removing stuff from the home. 367 00:15:17,200 --> 00:15:18,700 [Judge Acker] Judge DiMango. 368 00:15:18,767 --> 00:15:20,767 [Judge DiMango] I think you are so full of it. 369 00:15:20,834 --> 00:15:23,767 The--oh, the tears, the patting your cheeks, 370 00:15:23,834 --> 00:15:25,633 the, "Oh, my family, I'm so worried." 371 00:15:25,700 --> 00:15:27,734 You could shake your head until your ears fall off your head. 372 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:28,900 I don't really care. 373 00:15:28,967 --> 00:15:31,100 I just know that I didn't leave my common sense 374 00:15:31,166 --> 00:15:33,767 and my experience at the front door when I came in here. 375 00:15:33,834 --> 00:15:36,200 So when I see somebody stand in this courtroom 376 00:15:36,266 --> 00:15:39,767 and use what to me is a very, very serious 377 00:15:39,834 --> 00:15:42,567 situation for a lot of women, domestic violence, 378 00:15:42,633 --> 00:15:45,066 using it as an excuse-- 379 00:15:45,133 --> 00:15:46,333 what was that video? 380 00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:47,600 There was a man walking through your house. 381 00:15:47,667 --> 00:15:49,767 I don't know who that was. I don't know what was going on. 382 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:52,934 What about all these orders of protection that you claim you have? 383 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:55,165 You don't have one of them in here. Not one. 384 00:15:55,233 --> 00:15:59,066 The only thing you gave us to prove that you're in a domestic situation 385 00:15:59,133 --> 00:16:02,300 is the one where you didn't show up and you didn't go to court 386 00:16:02,367 --> 00:16:03,800 and you didn't get it granted. 387 00:16:03,867 --> 00:16:06,567 So shake your head all you want. You're full of it. 388 00:16:06,633 --> 00:16:08,600 You weren't there. You didn't go through it. 389 00:16:09,133 --> 00:16:10,533 [Judge DiMango] Now, let me ask you, how do you know 390 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:12,467 that this was not something she was a part of? 391 00:16:13,066 --> 00:16:14,200 This scam? 392 00:16:14,266 --> 00:16:15,734 [Samuel] You know, I don't know. 393 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:17,934 [Judge DiMango] And, originally, I was coming in here thinking, 394 00:16:18,000 --> 00:16:19,834 "Who do you think you are? You think we don't know 395 00:16:19,900 --> 00:16:21,834 that you went down to Mexico to bring drugs 396 00:16:21,900 --> 00:16:23,066 back into the United States? 397 00:16:23,133 --> 00:16:25,600 You think that we're not smart enough to see that?" 398 00:16:25,667 --> 00:16:29,300 And I also wanna know why you did it. 399 00:16:29,367 --> 00:16:31,834 How much money did you get paid to do it? 400 00:16:32,667 --> 00:16:33,667 $500. 401 00:16:34,200 --> 00:16:35,667 [Judge DiMango] You can't be that stupid. 402 00:16:35,734 --> 00:16:37,367 Either you're not telling me the truth or you... 403 00:16:37,433 --> 00:16:39,200 [Samuel] I didn't realize how big the risk was at the time 404 00:16:39,266 --> 00:16:42,567 and I'm not familiar with transporting what I'm--what I took... 405 00:16:42,633 --> 00:16:44,900 [Judge DiMango] Well, none of us are familiar with transporting drugs, 406 00:16:44,967 --> 00:16:46,567 but I certainly wouldn't-- if I was gonna make a deal, 407 00:16:46,633 --> 00:16:48,467 - it wouldn't be for $500. - An acquaintance asked me-- 408 00:16:48,533 --> 00:16:49,600 that's why he's a former acquaintance. 409 00:16:49,667 --> 00:16:50,967 He said, "You wanna make $500? 410 00:16:51,033 --> 00:16:53,066 You have a license and a--and a second form of ID?" 411 00:16:53,133 --> 00:16:55,333 - I said sure. - She know him too? 412 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:56,834 The former acquaintance? Yeah. I don't know if she still 413 00:16:56,900 --> 00:16:58,467 - associates with him but... - [Judge DiMango] Whoa, whoa. 414 00:16:58,533 --> 00:17:00,700 - So she knows this guy? - Uh-uh. I only knew him... 415 00:17:00,767 --> 00:17:02,133 I'm not talking to you. 416 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:03,667 - [Samuel] She... - When I wanna hear a lie, 417 00:17:03,734 --> 00:17:04,934 I'll ask you a question. 418 00:17:06,099 --> 00:17:08,633 [announcer] Coming up on Tribunal Justice. 419 00:17:08,700 --> 00:17:13,066 You did not know that he had access to his PayPal information. 420 00:17:13,133 --> 00:17:15,900 So you didn't think there would be any way for us to contradict 421 00:17:15,967 --> 00:17:16,967 what you were saying. 422 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:19,233 Either that or you're just too stupid to think that 423 00:17:19,300 --> 00:17:21,032 PayPal doesn't have that information. 424 00:17:21,099 --> 00:17:22,433 [dramatic musical sting] 425 00:17:24,266 --> 00:17:25,532 [theme music plays] 426 00:17:25,934 --> 00:17:28,066 [announcer] Samuel Betancourt is suing former friend, 427 00:17:28,133 --> 00:17:31,367 Cassandra Abril, for stealing from his PayPal account 428 00:17:31,433 --> 00:17:34,533 and property from his home while he was in jail, 429 00:17:34,600 --> 00:17:37,834 but Cassandra claims Samuel should be suing her abusive 430 00:17:37,900 --> 00:17:40,900 ex-boyfriend who did all the stealing. 431 00:17:40,967 --> 00:17:42,934 What did you do with his money? 432 00:17:44,033 --> 00:17:45,166 It was on my device. 433 00:17:45,233 --> 00:17:48,667 The device did get taken from me, but, yes, it was on my device, 434 00:17:48,734 --> 00:17:51,467 so therefore it does make me accountable. 435 00:17:51,533 --> 00:17:53,033 [Judge DiMango] I don't have anything else to ask you. 436 00:17:53,100 --> 00:17:54,100 [Judge Levy] I do. 437 00:17:54,166 --> 00:17:56,333 You know, Ms. Abril, what you're saying 438 00:17:56,400 --> 00:17:59,433 is that it was only 'cause he stole the phone. 439 00:17:59,500 --> 00:18:01,433 Here's the problem with that. 440 00:18:01,500 --> 00:18:03,734 This is what you wrote, your answer. 441 00:18:05,400 --> 00:18:08,500 "September 19th, my abusive ex-boyfriend 442 00:18:08,567 --> 00:18:11,033 broke in my home and stole from me. 443 00:18:11,100 --> 00:18:14,266 He took multiple items, including my phone 444 00:18:14,333 --> 00:18:16,767 that was logged in to Samuel's account 445 00:18:16,834 --> 00:18:19,433 and had all of his personal information on it. 446 00:18:19,500 --> 00:18:21,700 That's what you wrote, September 19th. 447 00:18:21,767 --> 00:18:23,900 But on August 30th, 448 00:18:23,967 --> 00:18:25,433 before he had the phone, 449 00:18:25,500 --> 00:18:27,467 you took out a thousand dollars, 450 00:18:27,533 --> 00:18:29,700 $887, 451 00:18:29,767 --> 00:18:31,266 $400. 452 00:18:31,333 --> 00:18:32,767 Explain that to me. 453 00:18:33,867 --> 00:18:35,133 You can't. 454 00:18:35,200 --> 00:18:37,734 When you prepared your answer, 455 00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:40,066 you did not know that he had 456 00:18:40,133 --> 00:18:42,834 access to his PayPal information. 457 00:18:42,900 --> 00:18:47,266 So you didn't think there would be any way for us to contradict what you were saying. 458 00:18:47,333 --> 00:18:49,100 Either that or you're just too stupid to think 459 00:18:49,166 --> 00:18:50,967 that PayPal doesn't have that information. 460 00:18:51,567 --> 00:18:52,900 Welcome to reality. 461 00:18:52,967 --> 00:18:53,967 I have nothing further. 462 00:18:54,567 --> 00:18:56,700 [Judge DiMango] We're gonna retire to deliberate. 463 00:18:56,767 --> 00:18:57,967 Thank you very much. 464 00:18:58,033 --> 00:18:59,533 [Cassandra] This case is now in recess. 465 00:18:59,600 --> 00:19:01,200 Parties will be recalled. 466 00:19:01,266 --> 00:19:04,000 [dramatic musical sting] 467 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:07,367 There's no doubt in my mind that she stole his money. 468 00:19:07,433 --> 00:19:11,367 Under the penalties of perjury, she signed an answer to his lawsuit 469 00:19:11,433 --> 00:19:13,433 in which she very clearly said 470 00:19:13,500 --> 00:19:17,533 September 19th is when her ex-boyfriend stole the phone. 471 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:19,700 So she had it up to that point. 472 00:19:19,767 --> 00:19:24,300 And she just did not know that he had the PayPal records that proved 473 00:19:24,367 --> 00:19:29,200 she emptied out his account before the boyfriend ever got the phone. 474 00:19:29,266 --> 00:19:31,667 That's assuming you believe that he took the phone in the first place. 475 00:19:31,734 --> 00:19:33,533 [Judge Levy] I--I'm giving her that benefit. 476 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:35,467 - Okay. - She's still a thief. 477 00:19:35,533 --> 00:19:37,900 He's going to jail for three to five years. 478 00:19:38,767 --> 00:19:40,433 I reviewed the federal docket. 479 00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:43,233 He admitted right away what he did. 480 00:19:43,300 --> 00:19:46,266 He could have put up a defense, "I didn't know the drugs were in the car." 481 00:19:46,333 --> 00:19:48,400 They were tremendous amount of drugs. 482 00:19:48,467 --> 00:19:49,633 - I know. Pounds... - [Judge Levy] 67 pounds 483 00:19:49,700 --> 00:19:50,800 of methamphetamines, 484 00:19:50,867 --> 00:19:53,033 12 pounds of fentanyl. 485 00:19:53,100 --> 00:19:55,166 - But you could tell he's not a smart guy. - Oh, my goodness. 486 00:19:55,233 --> 00:19:56,467 He was only gonna take $500 for all that. 487 00:19:56,533 --> 00:19:58,233 That's all he took. And I really thought 488 00:19:58,300 --> 00:20:00,467 - he was gonna come in here and BS us. - Me too. 489 00:20:00,533 --> 00:20:03,300 He has seen the light as far as I could see. 490 00:20:03,367 --> 00:20:05,767 And he is gonna spend the next three to five years 491 00:20:05,834 --> 00:20:09,834 that he's looking at, with credit for his four months that he spent in jail. 492 00:20:09,900 --> 00:20:11,800 And the only reason why he spent that time in jail 493 00:20:11,867 --> 00:20:14,700 is because she knew in her mind, 494 00:20:14,767 --> 00:20:17,133 with all the drugs that he got arrested for, 495 00:20:17,200 --> 00:20:19,033 he was never coming out. 496 00:20:19,100 --> 00:20:20,367 And that's why. 497 00:20:20,433 --> 00:20:22,400 So the PayPal records, 498 00:20:22,467 --> 00:20:25,767 also the records of different stores that she went to 499 00:20:25,834 --> 00:20:28,500 to make purchases using his PayPal account... 500 00:20:28,567 --> 00:20:31,200 He wasn't driving and there were Mobil charges in there too. 501 00:20:31,266 --> 00:20:32,834 - I mean, he knew he wasn't driving. - Mobil gas charges. 502 00:20:32,900 --> 00:20:36,633 So she stole $7,115 of his. 503 00:20:36,700 --> 00:20:38,066 That has been established. 504 00:20:38,133 --> 00:20:40,233 The electronic items on the other hand, 505 00:20:40,300 --> 00:20:41,700 there's no receipts for them. 506 00:20:41,767 --> 00:20:45,900 There's no indication from anyone who's testified. 507 00:20:45,967 --> 00:20:48,900 While it's not necessarily a stretch and based upon her history 508 00:20:48,967 --> 00:20:50,266 of taking out and stealing that, 509 00:20:50,333 --> 00:20:54,934 I can't necessarily say that she stole his electronic items. 510 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:58,667 I'd be happy giving him $7,115 for the stuff that 511 00:20:58,734 --> 00:21:00,967 we can prove based upon the paperwork. 512 00:21:01,033 --> 00:21:03,767 Her whole defense was predicated on, you know, 513 00:21:03,834 --> 00:21:06,533 the legal theory with which we're all very familiar-- 514 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:09,734 there's no liability for third-party criminal conduct, you know? 515 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:11,066 - Some other dude did it. - Yeah. 516 00:21:11,467 --> 00:21:12,467 [Judge Acker] They did it. 517 00:21:12,533 --> 00:21:15,300 But in that case, she would, at least, have a police report. 518 00:21:15,367 --> 00:21:17,033 You would have some evidence. 519 00:21:17,100 --> 00:21:20,834 And then by the way, as you just pointed out, Adam, 520 00:21:20,900 --> 00:21:24,300 her story about the theft doesn't even line up 521 00:21:24,367 --> 00:21:27,700 with the dates on which the money was being taken out. 522 00:21:27,767 --> 00:21:30,266 But, you know, just because he made a stupid mistake 523 00:21:30,333 --> 00:21:33,266 doesn't mean that people can steal from him with impunity. 524 00:21:33,333 --> 00:21:37,767 I wanted him to be very candid when I asked him about the stolen property. 525 00:21:37,834 --> 00:21:40,467 I was hoping for more of a trail. 526 00:21:40,533 --> 00:21:41,767 I just don't see the legal proof. 527 00:21:41,834 --> 00:21:45,166 I don't see that he's made the case with respect to the property. 528 00:21:45,233 --> 00:21:47,433 The case with respect to the money is easy. 529 00:21:47,500 --> 00:21:50,200 - I'm with you, $7,100. - [Judge DiMango] Yeah. 530 00:21:50,266 --> 00:21:54,200 I mean, what bothers me more is that domestic violence 531 00:21:54,266 --> 00:21:57,667 is such a serious, serious allegation. 532 00:21:57,734 --> 00:22:01,133 And for someone like this to throw it out there 533 00:22:01,200 --> 00:22:05,033 to cover up her own criminal behavior, I just find appalling. 534 00:22:05,100 --> 00:22:09,000 And then meanwhile, it broke my heart that he ended up in such a position 535 00:22:09,066 --> 00:22:12,767 where he would sell his life out for $500, basically. 536 00:22:12,834 --> 00:22:14,834 - [Judge Acker] Uh-hmm. - I think that he should get 537 00:22:14,900 --> 00:22:15,967 every penny of the money. 538 00:22:16,033 --> 00:22:17,166 And I'm with you on board. 539 00:22:17,233 --> 00:22:19,433 I don't see how we can connect her to the property. 540 00:22:19,500 --> 00:22:20,667 - [Judge Acker] So we're unanimous. - [Judge DiMango] Unanimous. 541 00:22:20,734 --> 00:22:21,734 - [Judge Levy] Done. Super. - Great. 542 00:22:21,800 --> 00:22:23,200 Unanimous. 543 00:22:23,266 --> 00:22:26,166 [dramatic musical sting] 544 00:22:26,233 --> 00:22:27,433 [Cassandra] Court is back in session. 545 00:22:27,500 --> 00:22:30,166 All parties are reminded that they're still under oath. 546 00:22:30,233 --> 00:22:32,066 - [Judge Levy] Thank you, Cassandra. - [Cassandra] You're welcome. 547 00:22:32,133 --> 00:22:33,567 [Judge Levy] Mr. Betancourt, 548 00:22:33,633 --> 00:22:36,700 I took the opportunity to take a peek into the federal docket 549 00:22:36,767 --> 00:22:39,266 in Central District of California to take a look at 550 00:22:39,333 --> 00:22:41,533 the charges against you and the papers 551 00:22:41,600 --> 00:22:44,333 that were filed on your behalf and I'm gonna read something 552 00:22:44,400 --> 00:22:46,867 - into the record with your permission. - [Samuel] Yes, Your Honor. 553 00:22:47,300 --> 00:22:49,767 "Mr. Betancourt decided to enter the service 554 00:22:49,834 --> 00:22:53,800 after witnessing the events of September 11th, 2001. 555 00:22:53,867 --> 00:22:56,333 He stated that he knew what our nation was going through 556 00:22:56,400 --> 00:23:00,500 and it lit a fire under him to choose to fight for our country. 557 00:23:00,567 --> 00:23:03,433 He joined the Marine Corps just one month later. 558 00:23:03,500 --> 00:23:06,200 He was deployed to Iraq in 2003, 559 00:23:06,266 --> 00:23:09,367 the first unit deployed after war was declared. 560 00:23:09,433 --> 00:23:12,734 Additionally, he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2004. 561 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:16,300 He was involved in combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan. 562 00:23:16,367 --> 00:23:19,367 He is currently on 100% disability 563 00:23:19,433 --> 00:23:21,533 due to post-traumatic stress disorder 564 00:23:21,600 --> 00:23:24,533 and injuries to his knees and back which occurred 565 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:27,133 while he was deployed in Afghanistan." 566 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:29,333 That's remarkable. 567 00:23:29,400 --> 00:23:31,100 And for so many others like you 568 00:23:31,166 --> 00:23:33,667 who took the risk to go to war on behalf of the country, 569 00:23:33,734 --> 00:23:34,700 we thank you. 570 00:23:35,100 --> 00:23:37,900 You came in here and you told the truth. 571 00:23:37,967 --> 00:23:41,834 You're gonna pay your price for doing what you did. 572 00:23:41,900 --> 00:23:44,633 It doesn't in any way justify what she did. 573 00:23:44,700 --> 00:23:46,100 Ms. Abril, 574 00:23:46,166 --> 00:23:48,433 you said that you thought of him like your brother 575 00:23:48,500 --> 00:23:50,800 but you didn't quite treat him like one. 576 00:23:50,867 --> 00:23:54,667 And your explanations and excuses here about your ex-boyfriends 577 00:23:54,734 --> 00:23:56,834 breaking in your home at the end of September 578 00:23:56,900 --> 00:23:59,066 as being the reason why the money disappeared 579 00:23:59,133 --> 00:24:02,200 is belied by and directly contradicted by the PayPal 580 00:24:02,266 --> 00:24:03,867 withdrawals that you made. 581 00:24:03,934 --> 00:24:06,133 You gotta do better, Ms. Abril. 582 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:08,266 If not for yourself, for your kids. 583 00:24:08,333 --> 00:24:09,834 They pay attention. They know 584 00:24:09,900 --> 00:24:11,734 when their parents aren't doing right. 585 00:24:11,800 --> 00:24:13,400 So with all that in mind, 586 00:24:13,467 --> 00:24:15,467 we have good news and we got bad news. 587 00:24:15,533 --> 00:24:18,400 The good news is that, Mr. Betancourt, you are suing 588 00:24:18,467 --> 00:24:21,700 for the return of $7,115, 589 00:24:21,767 --> 00:24:24,433 which was the money that was taken from your account 590 00:24:24,500 --> 00:24:26,266 by Ms. Abril without your permission 591 00:24:26,333 --> 00:24:28,367 and used for her benefit or someone else's. 592 00:24:28,934 --> 00:24:31,533 It is the unanimous decision that you get that back. 593 00:24:31,600 --> 00:24:35,166 However, the $3,426 for the property, 594 00:24:35,233 --> 00:24:37,567 notwithstanding your testimony about the signed letter, 595 00:24:37,633 --> 00:24:40,166 we can't accept that and there's no other direct proof 596 00:24:40,233 --> 00:24:42,033 that it was Ms. Abril who took it. 597 00:24:42,100 --> 00:24:44,567 So it is the unanimous verdict of the court, sir, 598 00:24:44,633 --> 00:24:46,700 that you are to receive from Ms. Abril 599 00:24:46,767 --> 00:24:49,567 the amount of $7,115 600 00:24:49,633 --> 00:24:52,734 for the money that she stole from your account. 601 00:24:52,800 --> 00:24:54,567 - Thank you. - [Samuel] Thank you, Your Honor. 602 00:24:54,633 --> 00:24:55,867 [Cassandra] This case has concluded. 603 00:24:55,934 --> 00:24:57,767 All parties are dismissed. 604 00:24:57,834 --> 00:25:00,700 [theme music plays] 605 00:25:00,767 --> 00:25:02,467 [Abril] I just wanna put everything behind me. 606 00:25:02,533 --> 00:25:06,533 Her choices kept me away from my kids longer than I should have. 607 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:07,934 Everything's in the past. 608 00:25:08,000 --> 00:25:11,233 That's what upsets me the most is that she chose to not post my bail. 609 00:25:11,300 --> 00:25:12,667 We were friends yesterday. 610 00:25:12,734 --> 00:25:15,767 She was just living her best life on my account. 611 00:25:15,834 --> 00:25:17,333 He got all of it back. 612 00:25:17,400 --> 00:25:20,233 I'm ready to do my time and pay my debt to society as I should. 613 00:25:20,300 --> 00:25:21,934 [announcer] Have you been scammed? 614 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:26,266 Let the majority rule in your favor on Tribunal Justice. 615 00:25:26,333 --> 00:25:28,734 Find us on social media. 616 00:25:28,800 --> 00:25:31,900 ["Ride of the Valkyries" plays]