December 2003, Six Months before the Arrest
Jazz music was playing at the Copley Town Club on East Sixty-eighth Street in Manhattan on a warm winter evening in early December 2003, six months before Jasper’s arrest. Ramone Santos was promoting an elite event a few weeks before the New Year for prestigious New York millionaires. Ramone ensured prominent men and women representing various professions and a broad array of interests were invited. Jasper was invited to the affair since he was on New York magazine’s list of the top 50 multimillionaire entrepreneurs.
Ramone had become a social leader who promoted special interest gatherings all over the country. He chaired the board of the National Organization of 500 Influencers, was vice chair of the American Businessmen for a Change, and sat on the boards of several nonprofit arts and culture organizations in New York and Los Angeles. Ramone accumulated a modest financial base through real estate investments that appreciated during the housing boom. However, his financial means were far less than Jasper’s, but Ramone had the luxury of dedicating his time working in areas he enjoyed. Jasper viewed Ramone’s work as a rich old lady’s pastime.
“Can I get anything for you?” Solae asked Jasper.
“Oh, no, but thank you. My drink is fine.”
Jasper recognized Solae, Ramone’s girlfriend. She is five feet eleven inches and twenty-nine years old born in St. Lucia, West Indies, her father’s native island. Solae is biracial, her skin the color of creamy eggnog. Her legs were long and shapely. She wore a short cropped hairdo that emphasized her strong African facial features. Her eyes were alive and bright. Her mother is French Canadian and met her father through his importing and exporting business. Solae never quite knew what products or services her father sold, but it was lucrative for the family as she attended the finest fashion design schools in Italy and Paris.
Although Jasper thought she had external beauty, Solae would not have been good enough for Jasper. Only a virgin like Laura could be his wife and certainly not a woman who pranced around a runway revealing her body as a fashion model for years and exposed to playboys and wild parties with cocaine, marijuana, and pills. In his mind, Solae certainly was beneath him.
“Ladies, gentlemen, I ask for your attention,” Ramone announced at the center of the ballroom. “Thank you all for coming and supporting this event. We’ve arrived at the climax of our evening. Each year I have the pleasure of arranging to have powerful change agents as yourselves gather to celebrate your accomplishments in society. Tonight I would like to recognize several of these men. The first recipient of the Leadership for a Change Award is . . . Mr. Alan Bernstein.” There was a round of applause. Alan joined Ramone at the center of the room.
Ramone continued, “Alan Bernstein funded over $1 million each to twelve nonprofit organizations across the country as a result of his national sponsorship drive. These funds will be used to build community recreation centers in inner cities and launch a nationwide travel program for youth to visit countries such as Nigeria, Japan, and China. Please give another round of applause to Mr. Alan Bernstein.”
Ramone paused and looked at Jasper. He knew Jasper was anxiously waiting for his name to be called. “On the political front, the recipient is . . . Mark D. Petersen who was reelected to the U.S. House of Representatives for a second term.” There is a sports arena-like shouting that ensues.
Ramone continued, “Mark, the incumbent democratic in New York’s midtown area, was challenged in a heated political debate for his seat. His outreach to help build a minority entrepreneurship foundation was non-existent for most of us in this room tonight. His work will help ensure an increase of millionaire businessmen in our communities in the future.” There was another loud round of applause.
“And finally, in the financial arena . . .” Jasper is confident that Ramone will announce him in this category. Jasper put his drink down and buttoned his suit jacket in preparation for approaching the center of the floor. “Charles Derben’s hedge fund private equity firm Derben and Derben, LLC, announced a $100 million deal with the minority-owned National Federal Bank, bringing increased liquidity to the capital markets. I give you the recipient . . . Mr. Charles Derben.” There is a round of applause as the three men stood together beside Ramone and graciously accepted their recognition.
Ramone concluded, “Ladies and gentlemen, a champagne toast to the successes of these distinguished men!”
Jasper thought it was absurd that these men received the recognition over him. His firm had phenomenal revenue growth and was the second most successful medium-sized auditing and consulting firm in the country. He locked eyes with Ramone who intentionally smirked at Jasper who understood why his name was not mentioned for yet another year. Ramone and Jasper’s ongoing contention continued—first at the university level, later in the business arena, and now in social venues.
Ramone and fellow colleagues believed that Cunningham, Gates & Waddell were ill-reputed. There were rumors that the company gained hefty contracts under questionable circumstances and that their business practices were deemed unethical. Ramone used this as his right to ostracize Jasper whenever possible. As Ramone walked across the room, he intentionally ignored Jasper and began speaking to someone standing adjacent to Jasper. Ramone’s disregard further insulted Jasper, so he confronted him.
“Hello, Ramone.” Jasper extended his hand.
Ramone reluctantly shook Jasper’s hand and said, “Cunningham, I’m glad you were able to attend.”
“I’m sure you are,” replied Jasper.
“It IS good to see you.”
“I’m sure it IS,” Jasper again replied.
Falsely attempting to make small talk, Ramone asked, “How is the financial industry treating you?”
“It’s going well. But then again, one would never know given I wasn’t mentioned in your salutation tonight . . . or in prior years for that matter.”
“There are just too many accomplishments achieved by men and women alike who are in this room tonight. I only wish we could recognize them all,” Ramone jabbed.
“I’m not convinced that most in this room have grossed nearly half a billion dollars in revenues last year. But then again, to your point, there are many accomplishments in this room.”
Ramone hammered at Jasper. “Cunningham, these people who I named are respectable citizens earning their position within New York, hell nationally, in a legal manner. They do not succumb to extortion, fraud, and corruption to make their mark in this world. Are any of those verbs familiar to you?”
“You pompous prick.”
“Don’t play naïve, Cunningham. Your company drove the Silverton IPO. Investors and investment bankers alike are mopping up their losses from that farce of a transaction. An audit opinion from your firm was a golden spoon to obtain public investor confidence.”
Jasper chuckled.
“How much did you gain?” asked Ramone.
Jasper chuckled again with an arrogant tone.
“Laugh when the SEC and the feds are handcuffing you alongside the Ignacios, you faux businessman.”
Jasper immediately became extremely serious. “Spread rhetoric like that and Antonio Ignacio will handcuff your lips permanently.”
With a hint of fear, Ramone folded his arms across his chest and questioned, “Are you threatening me? You’ve become a mobster too now?”
Jasper raised his champagne glass to Ramone and sarcastically said, “Cheers to you, Ms. Charity.”
Ramone watched Jasper walk away and turned away insulted. Jasper walked a third the way across the room and crossed paths with Solae.
“I think I will take you up on your offer for a drink now,” said Jasper.
“Most certainly.” She called over a waiter, “Carlos, please get another glass of champagne for the gentleman.”
“Actually, Carlos, I will have vodka on the rocks with lime,” said Jasper.
The volume of the music rose. It was Betty Carter’s “Mr. Gentleman” playing.
“I apologize I have not had the pleasure of formally meeting you.”
“I’m Jasper Cunningham of Cunningham, Gates & Waddell.”
“Oh, yes, indeed. My apologies. It’s good to meet you. I’m Solae Ngane.”
“And certainly a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Ngane.” Jasper kissed her hand. Solae was flattered.
“Mr. Cunningham, I dare mention that I am seeking interested investors for my winter fashion show, and I think I might gain your interest. I have run the financial projections, and my investment bankers are pitching a 30 percent return on investment plus the business goodwill attained and potential client relationships. The attendees will be wealthy fashion goers from across the globe.”
“You are quite forthright and optimistic, Ms. Ngane. Your fiancé must be beyond himself to have such an entrepreneurial spirit in his midst. It must be difficult for him to say no to you.”
“Mr. Cunningham, my fiancé does not have me in his midst nor I am compelled to seek approval from Ramone.”
Jasper began to take interest in the spiritedness of his newly found friendship.
“Call me Jasper.”
Solae smiled and responded, “I’d prefer Mr. Cunningham.”
At that time, Charlie Parker’s “My Favorite Things” began to play.
“Do you like jazz, Ms. Solae Ngane?”
“That I do, Mr. Cunningham.”
“Please, sit and listen to these wonderful sounds with me. Delicately beautiful music to be enjoyed by a lovely, elegant woman such as yourself.”
“Thank you, Mr. Cunningham. But I apologize. I am largely here in a business capacity. However, it was nice to meet you, and I certainly look forward to discussing my investment proposition with you in detail.”
Solae extended her hand to Jasper. He felt slightly defeated and gently shook her hand. How dare she refuse him? he thought. Who does this ex-model think she is? Jasper looked at Solae’s body and thought of the pleasures he could have with her and the insult it would be to Ramone, particularly after being publicly snubbed by Ramone tonight.
“Please . . . call my office for an appointment . . . to discuss further.” Jasper handed his business card to Solae.
“I will call you in the upcoming days. It was truly a pleasure.”
Jasper looked at her with piercing eyes and asked, “Can I get your promise, Ms. Ngane?”
Solae read his intent clearly.
“I don’t make promises, Mr. Cunningham.” She teasingly walked away.
A week and a half later, Jasper had finished a teleconference call at his office when his assistant buzzed.
“Sir, there is a Solae Ngane here to see you.”
“Was she on my calendar?”
“No, Mr. Cunningham.” Jasper paused and remembered Ramone’s girlfriend’s smugness and Ramone’s deliberate disregard of him at the function earlier in the month. He rubbed his chin and smiled.
“Jeanette, send her in please.”
Solae was dressed in a buff yellow cashmere coat. Her coat was wide open as she walked in revealing a low-cleavage winter white fitted dress underneath and matching knee-high patent leather stiletto boots. Her fashion sense was apparent, and Jasper found the flair in her strides sensual.
“Mr. Cunningham, I am so glad you were able to see me today.”
“Ms. Ngane, it is lovely to see you as well. What a pleasant surprise.”
“I wanted to set up an appointment in advance, however, I was unexpectedly in Europe the past ten days. I returned yesterday. I realize the holidays are upon us and didn’t want too much time to pass before we had a follow-up conversation.”
“Please have a seat, and I will check to ensure my 11:00 am meeting is pushed back.”
“Thank you.”
Jasper pressed his intercom. “Jeanette, please let Drew McIntosh know that I would like to make our 11:00 am meeting a noon lunch instead and book Savaratti restaurant.”
“Most certainly, sir,” replied Jeanette.
Solae had been a high-fashion runway model. At seventeen years old, Solae signed with Tryst and traveled across Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and Austria and met many people from varied walks of life. Her beauty was even more appealing than Jasper had recalled.
Solae had taken off her coat and was seated at the conference table. Jasper walked over to Solae and sat next to her. Solae opened her burgundy leather portfolio with the investment paperwork to begin her road show. Jasper put his hand across hers and closed the portfolio.
“No games, Ms. Ngane. I am prepared to write a check for $100,000. Is that what you expected?”
Solae was astonished since she had not discussed any details of the event with Jasper. But she wasn’t naïve. Jasper was a businessman. And she heard that he was unethical and played to win. She knew what he wanted from his eyes. As a model, she was not unfamiliar with the price of success. In spite of her love for Ramone, rich and powerful men greatly intrigued Solae; therefore, she was willing to concede. She looked at Jasper with agreeing eyes. But Jasper did not want to make love to Solae. Instead, he wanted to degrade Ramone’s woman. To snub her just as how Ramone had rebuffed him a few weeks prior at the awards event and on other occasions. This desire was not unlike Jasper. He always sought revenge either directly or indirectly.
Jasper got up, locked his office door, and turned toward Solae. She eagerly stood up and met Jasper halfway. The intensity of Solae’s eyes caused Jasper’s passion to grow stronger. Jasper pulled her slim body close to his and kissed her hard on the lips with a raw aggression as he held the back of her neck and a handful of her hair. Jasper sucked on her tongue and nibbled her lips. He pressed his body against hers, and both of their lustful desires heightened.
Jasper pushed Solae down to her knees. Jasper dropped his pants and held himself against Solae’s lips. She momentarily thought about Ramone and concluded she wasn’t psychologically willing to partake in sex. Her mind was telling her to stop, but she simply obeyed. Solae closed her eyes and semi-reluctantly kissed him.
“Come on, Ms. Ngane”—pushing himself in her mouth more—“you can please me better than that.”
Solae took a deep breath and slowly licked him and thereafter placed him in her mouth. He held the back of her head to direct the pace and force as he moaned in elation. He looked down on her as she sucked him for over fifteen minutes, enjoying her subservient position. Jasper wanted her body at this point, so he lifted Solae off her knees and pulled her dress down from her shoulder, revealing her perfect 40C bust. He yanked her breasts out of her black lace bra and sucked on her insatiably with total disregard for Solae’s response. He turned Solae around and raised her dress, revealing a black silk thong.
“You look so fucking good. Ramone can’t handle this. You are far too much woman for him.” Solae remained silent.
Jasper squeezed her tight round buttocks gently then with more conviction. For a moment, he wanted to take off his belt and spank her. But he refrained only because he thought his assistant might hear Solae’s screams. Instead, Jasper raised his right hand and spanked her hard, lost in the infliction of pain. Solae was a fair-skinned woman, and her buttocks became pink then red. Jasper enjoyed the aggression and continued to spank Solae another ten or so lashes with his right hand while she bent over his desk, and he squeezed her left breast. He pulled off one leg of her thong, spat on his right hand fingers, and rubbed between Solae’s buttocks to prepare her for what he craved. He massaged her quickly then forcefully entered her buttocks.
“Ah,” Solae shrieked. “Easy, Jasper.”
“Easy?” Jasper thrust harder into Solae as though he was riding a steer. “Don’t tell me easy. I can tell you’ve taken men this way before.” He slapped her ass with conviction. “Is this how Ramone fucks you?”
“Oh, Jasper, not so rough.” But Jasper pushed harder into Solae.
“I wanted to fuck your ass ten days ago. Bitch, you thought you were so high society, didn’t you? Ramone’s whore . . . You’re my whore . . . right now.” Jasper paused, slowed his pace only to gain leverage to thrust harder into Solae. He hung on to her breast from below and incessantly slapped her buttocks harder than before and thrust his body into Solae. Solae shrieked in pain. And Jasper continued, “You come into my office unannounced with your Chanel perfume and perky nipples showing through your flesh-tight dress knowing this is what you want.” He pushed more forcefully and squeezed her breasts more sternly. “Were you thinking about me today, whore?”
“Jasper . . . no more.” Solae clenched her teeth. She attempted to grab anything in her reach for security but instead knocked down the documents that were on his conference table.
“Bitch, don’t call my name in your whore mouth.”
The intercom in Jasper’s office sounded. He ignored it briefly, but it continued. He was in arm’s reach, so he paused and hit the button.
“Yes, Jeanette,” he answered, breathing heavily and annoyed that he had to cease what he was doing.
“The reservations are confirmed.”
“Thanks, Jeanette.”
Solae eased forward, and Jasper was no longer inside of her body. Jasper returned to the attention of Solae. He smiled cunningly.
“OK. You’ve had enough. But I haven’t. Kneel down again.” Slowly Solae bent her left leg then her right and kneeled in front of Jasper.
“Make me happy, Solae.”
Solae massaged, pulled, and rubbed Jasper. She wanted this whole episode to be over. He grabbed her hands for extra pressure. After a short while, Jasper intentionally ejaculated all over her face. Jasper caught his breath and turned away from her.
Solae stood up. She had experienced similar “pseudo assaults” in the fashion circuit when she auditioned to get modeling assignments. It had been a long time, and she was older now and extremely distraught. She wasn’t quite sure why she had not stopped him, why she had not run out of his office. Was it because she was enamored by his stature, his wealth, and his power? Perhaps she subconsciously wanted to be Jasper’s lover and enjoy the five-star restaurants, extravagant gifts, and trips abroad. But by the look on Jasper’s face, she realized that would not be the case. Not once had he uttered a kind word to her. He never kissed her mouth and only wanted her anally. Worst of all, he degraded her in the face. Solae clenched her teeth and reached into her large red clutch purse for a Kleenex to wipe her face.
“Feel free to use my bathroom,” he said in a businesslike tone as he closed his pants and walked away.
Solae slowly rose and went to the marbleized bathroom suite within Jasper’s office. Based on Jasper’s callous demeanor, Solae was even more committed to carrying out her charge. The FBI agents had approached Solae after the award party earlier in the month searching for someone who would be willing to participate in an attempt to gather evidence against Jasper and his firm. At the time, Solae did not have any personal incentive to assist in bolstering federal charges against Jasper. Ramone was disgusted with the pervasive corporate corruption committed by Jasper and his partners and saw Solae’s investment proposition as an opportunity to get close to Jasper and help bring Jasper and his firm down. Ramone could not have fathomed what Jasper would do to his girlfriend.
While in the bathroom, Solae took out the recorder transmitter FBI Agent Lawson provided to her earlier in the week. Lawson asked her to plant the bug in Jasper’s office. As the FBI recommended, she taped the bug underneath the sink basin. She proceeded to clean herself, flushed the toilet, and walked out of the bathroom. Jasper was standing by his desk.
Jasper said, “You know you are a good fuck.” Solae felt ashamed and walked past Jasper. He held her arm.
“Not so fast, Ms. Ngane. I keep my word. Here is my investment for $100,000, Ms. Ngane. I look forward to reaping the 30 percent return you promised. Perhaps I can conduct additional business with you,” he smirked.
Solae extended her hand to reach for the check, but before she could take it, Jasper dropped it, so it floated to the floor. Solae hesitated but kept her chin up while bending down and extending her hand to the floor to pick up the check. When she touched the check, Jasper lifted his wing-tipped shoe and stepped on the check. She looked up at him from her bent position, and he looked down. They stared at each other for what felt like forever to Solae.
Jasper broke the silence. “You work really well in that position, Miss Ngane.”
Jasper clearly had insulted and degraded Solae. Jasper grinned at her and concluded he had beaten Ramone. He walked back to his desk.
As Solae walked out his office with her check, he smirked under his breath, “Kiss my ass, Ramone.” But Solae heard his comment and shed a tear as she gathered her belongings and left his office.
The following morning, Solae and Ramone were having breakfast at a French eatery on Eighth Avenue one block from Ramone’s apartment. They ate crepes and drank café lattes.
“You came home very late last night,” said Ramone.
“I had to stop at Marjorie Hinton’s home to view her new line of scarves. We’re thinking about sponsoring a show solely with a scarf theme for the spring.”
“Sounds unique.” Ramone looked at Solae’s eyes. She avoided direct eye contact. “Were you able to visit Cunningham’s office yesterday?”
Solae took a deep breath. “Yes, I did.”
Ramone was surprised that she had not volunteered to discuss the meeting on her own and that she did not elaborate on what had transpired.
“What happened?” he asked.
“Everything went according to plan. I pitched our upcoming fashion show at Martha’s Vineyard, and he was intrigued with the business plan. He was more fashion aware than I thought he would be. He even said how appealing it was to have a show at the Vineyard at this time of year. He gave me a check for $100,000.”
“What? Congratulations! This is fabulous news.”
Solae debated whether or not to tell Ramone about the assault that transpired in Jasper’s office. But she knew Ramone and Jasper had deep-rooted animosity for each other. It was a no-win situation, she thought. Either Ramone might physically try to harm Jasper or possibly misconstrue that Solae came on to Jasper, and Ramone would leave her. Solae felt Ramone would not want to touch her anymore after the despicable manner in which Jasper treated her. She needed Ramone and didn’t want to lose him. Ramone helped to develop Solae’s confidence and career.
“Great, but what about the transmitter? Were you able to plant it?”
“Yeah.”
“Yeah? Just yeah? Do you know how meaningful . . . how groundbreaking this is? Did you contact FBI Agent Lawson?”
“I called him yesterday at lunchtime.”
“You did? And why didn’t you call me?
Solae ranted, “Honey, I really got so buried with the plans for the upcoming show and now this new one. It was hard day. Come on, I have a lot going on. This detective work is all new to me. I am stressed.”
They finished their crepes and left the coffee shop, and Ramone persuaded Solae to take a walk through Central Park. Given Solae’s apparent state of frustration, he was even more pleased at what he was about to present to her. Ramone reached into the chest pocket of his coat and pulled out a black velvet ring box and kneeled in front of Solae. Solae’s eyes became vibrant. She placed her hands over her mouth as Ramone opened the box to reveal a two-carat princess-cut diamond ring in a platinum setting.
“Oh my god . . . oh my god!”
“Solae, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever known. You are my heart, you are my inner being. I love you, and I need for you to be my wife so that life can be everything I always wanted. I will make you the happiest woman on earth until the day I die. I will protect you and care for you until the day I die. Solae Ngane, will you marry me?”
“Ramone, I love you too.” Solae cried with joy. But her tears were also blended with the pain she had experienced the day before in Jasper’s office. “Yes, I will marry you.” Ramone stood up, hugged, and kissed his fiancée.
As they continued their stroll, Solae enjoyed the new diamond sparkle on her hand. She really wanted to confide in Ramone, but the rivalry between the two men was too passionate. Disclosing the events of the previous day could jeopardize a lifetime of love, happiness, and emotional and moral support that she needed. Solae looked at her ring and her future husband and decided the incident would die as a secret between her and Jasper.