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In 1988, Motsko and his wife formed a second business, the
Hydraulics Center. It was a natural outlet for Motsko’s growing
skill as a heavy equipment mechanic. It also gave the family an
income when the construction industry went into its long annual
hibernation.
From the beginning of their relationship, Manns had taken
care of all of Motsko’s finances. And this continued when they
started their businesses: Manns handled all the paperwork, wrote
the checks, and helped their accountants prepare the tax returns,
while Motsko did the excavating, drove the truck, and made the
repairs. Manns also wrote almost all the checks for the family
bills. If Motsko needed some money, he would occasionally borrow
the appropriate checkbook to pay for a specific service, such as
a doctor’s appointment, or a part needed by one of the
businesses. But before he took the checkbook, he would generally
clear it with Manns to make sure that they had enough money in
the right account.
We specifically find Manns never deliberately lied to him
about anything having to do with their money and that Motsko had
access to all of their financial records. We also find, however,
that he did not ask her many questions and never reviewed their
financial records: As far as he knew, she paid all their bills
on time, and we believe him when he testified that it was proof
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Last modified: May 25, 2011