“ Nobody was prosecuted . Nobody spent time behind bars ,” Papantonio added .
HSBC paid $ 1.6 billion for its involvement in these illicit activities — a mere slap on the wrist for them — and was sent on its way .
“ They didn ’ t give up names . They didn ’ t give up information . They didn ’ t give up anything ,” he said .
Papantonio explained that although the firm brought a case against the banks , it landed in the worst federal jurisdiction in America — the Southern District of New York .
“ Corporate America wins all the time in New York federal courts because most of those judges come from the Wall Street industry and the banking industry . They are what I call corporate captives .”
“ They ’ ve always represented the best interest of corporations , and that ’ s how they ’ ve made all their money their entire life . Then , they ’ re appointed to federal seats , and nothing changes .”
“ They have nothing in common with consumers . They ’ re just extensions of corporate America . And that ’ s what this book is about ,” Papantonio said . “ It ’ s a further development of the idea that , why the hell are we playing fair when corporate America never plays fair , never goes to jail , and never is punished for all the terrible things they do ?”
“ Suspicious Activity :” A Plot Of Betrayal
The Suspicious Activity story unfolds in the wake of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars when a sinister reality emerges : the lingering threat of IEDs ( Improvised Explosive Devices ) and EFPs ( Explosively Formed Penetrators ), deadly tools of terror that continue to haunt both soldiers overseas and civilians at home . But what if these weapons of destruction are not merely remnants of past conflicts but rather part of a sinister web of deceit woven by shadowy figures with global reach ?
Enter Deke and his intrepid team of legal warriors — Co- Counsel Michael Carey and investigators Carol Morris and Jake Rutledge . In Papantonio ’ s gripping legal thriller , these dedicated individuals embark on a quest for truth and justice , delving into the depths of corruption and conspiracy to expose the perpetrators behind the mayhem .
At the heart of the mystery lies a shocking revelation suggesting a major global bank with a significant presence in New York City could be funding the production and distribution of these deadly devices . It ’ s up to Deke and his team to unravel the dark forces at play , enabling such nefarious activities to evade the watchful eye of the Department of Justice .
With the aid of Michael ’ s courageous friend and war veteran , Joel Hartbeck — who risks it all to blow the whistle on the bank ’ s illicit dealings — the Deketomis team uncovers a tangled web of deceit and danger . But as they peel back the layers of deception , they soon realize that their pursuit of justice has placed them squarely in the crosshairs of a dangerous right-wing paramilitary group determined to protect the interests of their elusive benefactors at any cost .
As Deke ’ s lawsuit gains momentum , a chilling escalation unfolds : the sudden appearance of IEDs and EFPs on American highways — leaving death and destruction in their wake . With each new revelation , the stakes grow higher , and the legal team ’ s investigation deepens to uncover the culprits driving this reign of terror and the sinister forces working to perpetuate it .
In Papantonio ’ s electrifying tale of suspense and intrigue , readers are drawn into a world of high-stakes legal battles , where the pursuit of truth becomes a fight for survival . As Deke and his team race against time to unravel the mystery , they must confront their own fears and doubts , and ultimately decide what they are willing to sacrifice in the name of justice .
Deke And His Tenacious Band Of “ Misfits ”
Suspicious Activity brings readers in and keeps them turning pages — with its riveting plot and a cast of characters we have grown to love and admire in Papantonio ’ s previous legal thrillers .
Nicholas “ Deke ” Deketomis When last we saw Nicholas “ Deke ” Deketomis , the brilliant and brash managing partner for one of the nation ’ s largest plaintiffs ’ law firms , his passion for taking down corporate bad guys focused on players in the hospitality industry that turn a blind eye to human trafficking on their properties ( Inhuman Trafficking , 2021 ). Things got personal when Deke learned his goddaughter had fallen prey to a notorious trafficker .
In Suspicious Activity , Deke ’ s resolve to pull back the curtain on corporate greed and corruption continues . This time , the bulldog of an activist attorney is going after the banking industry and its sometimes unwitting , sometimes fully knowing , funding of terrorist activity . Deke announces , “ The purpose of the lawsuit is to fully expose the bank ’ s willing support to groups that are killing Americans — and others — overseas ,” unveiling the character ’ s driving purpose throughout the book .
Carol Morris We again enjoy the role that Carol Morris , the sharp minded and deeply principled head of Safety and Security and Investigative Services for the Bergman / Deketomis law firm , plays in balancing Deke and his merry team of “ misfits ” as they untangle the case .
Jake Rutledge Also making his return in this book is Jake Rutledge , who was developed in Papantonio ’ s third legal thriller , Law and Addiction ( 2019 ), as an addict lawyer in West Virginia whose brother had died of an overdose . In this previous novel , Jake
The Trial Lawyer x 61