What are the chances of jail time? White collar crime like this effects way more people than petty theft, but I’m thinking at most it’ll be a hefty fine. Again, like on most topics, I’m pretty ignorant of the reality of the situation.

He may also lose properties, to be sold to pay for the fines.

It’s a civil trial. The court won’t forcibly take anything from him.

I was defrauded by someone who lied on a house condition report, and the house needed $20k in work to not be condemned. I had paperwork the previous owner left in a closet that showed they were aware of the extent of the damage years before selling the house, but it was not disclosed.

Our attorney said “you can win this case. But you’ll win a $20k judgement. If they don’t pay, you have to sue again for failure to pay. If they die, legally the estate has to post in the local paper a notice. If you catch that notice within a couple of weeks, you will be able to claim $20k from the estate. If you miss this window, you’re SOL.”