Chris Walker

From somewhere in Stockton, Jack was this invisible hand who could source fruit around the state, from Santa Barbara to the upper reaches of California's north coast. But Scotto says in 1985... And I'll never forget this. His family's winery went bankrupt and owed almost $300,000 to Jack. Scotto decided to repay Jack before anyone else.

From somewhere in Stockton, Jack was this invisible hand who could source fruit around the state, from Santa Barbara to the upper reaches of California's north coast. But Scotto says in 1985... And I'll never forget this. His family's winery went bankrupt and owed almost $300,000 to Jack. Scotto decided to repay Jack before anyone else.

And so the godfather of grapes sent word that he wanted to meet the young winemaker who'd respected him enough to settle his debts. And moreover, Jack wanted to meet Scotto in person. He calls. I go to visit him in Stockton. Scotto drove to the address. But hold on, was this the right place? Jack lived in a humble little abode.

And so the godfather of grapes sent word that he wanted to meet the young winemaker who'd respected him enough to settle his debts. And moreover, Jack wanted to meet Scotto in person. He calls. I go to visit him in Stockton. Scotto drove to the address. But hold on, was this the right place? Jack lived in a humble little abode.

Here was a guy doing millions a year in business, and his 1,400-square-foot house looked like it hadn't had an upgrade or coat of paint in 30 years. It certainly didn't appear to be the home of a grape baron. But Scotto brushed it off. What's wrong with living frugally? He straightened his shirt, took a deep breath, and entered the house. His two sons are there.

Here was a guy doing millions a year in business, and his 1,400-square-foot house looked like it hadn't had an upgrade or coat of paint in 30 years. It certainly didn't appear to be the home of a grape baron. But Scotto brushed it off. What's wrong with living frugally? He straightened his shirt, took a deep breath, and entered the house. His two sons are there.

Two sons that Jack had brought into the family business a couple years earlier.

Two sons that Jack had brought into the family business a couple years earlier.

Nice enough, but kind of standoffish, with dark hair and tinted glasses. The two stood like bodyguards around their 63-year-old father, who sat in the center of a sagging couch. Jack didn't so much as rise, and Scotto felt uneasy, a little intimidated and unsure of what to say.

Nice enough, but kind of standoffish, with dark hair and tinted glasses. The two stood like bodyguards around their 63-year-old father, who sat in the center of a sagging couch. Jack didn't so much as rise, and Scotto felt uneasy, a little intimidated and unsure of what to say.

Actually, it was muscular dystrophy. But now Scotto understood why people rarely saw Jack outside his home, why Michael's nickname was Jack's legs. The disease made the grape broker's every move painful.

Actually, it was muscular dystrophy. But now Scotto understood why people rarely saw Jack outside his home, why Michael's nickname was Jack's legs. The disease made the grape broker's every move painful.

So we developed a friendship. More than a friendship. Over time, Jack would become like a father figure to Scotto. He had all the attributes my father didn't have. And Scotto grew as close as an adopted son. But Jack's real sons? Scotto didn't trust them. Something seemed off.

So we developed a friendship. More than a friendship. Over time, Jack would become like a father figure to Scotto. He had all the attributes my father didn't have. And Scotto grew as close as an adopted son. But Jack's real sons? Scotto didn't trust them. Something seemed off.

And so Scotto brought up that first meeting to me, not just because it's when a wine legend became his close friend, but it was his first indication trouble loomed on the horizon. He wasn't sure what to make of Robert's rude remark when Scotto tried to shake Jack's hand.

And so Scotto brought up that first meeting to me, not just because it's when a wine legend became his close friend, but it was his first indication trouble loomed on the horizon. He wasn't sure what to make of Robert's rude remark when Scotto tried to shake Jack's hand.

he also had a hard time getting a read on Michael, who his dad had placed a lot of trust in considering he couldn't leave the house. And while Michael may have done his father's bidding, he also seemed to have his own plans on how the family business should be run, a fact made clear to Scotto when Michael started approaching him with offers that made him feel uncomfortable.

he also had a hard time getting a read on Michael, who his dad had placed a lot of trust in considering he couldn't leave the house. And while Michael may have done his father's bidding, he also seemed to have his own plans on how the family business should be run, a fact made clear to Scotto when Michael started approaching him with offers that made him feel uncomfortable.

Scotto felt reluctant to tell Jack about it, figuring this was a family affair. But he suspected Michael was up to no good. And he wasn't the only one. Because as Lapham and his team started interviewing people around the Lichardis, the federal prosecutor was beginning to develop his own suspicions about Michael.

Scotto felt reluctant to tell Jack about it, figuring this was a family affair. But he suspected Michael was up to no good. And he wasn't the only one. Because as Lapham and his team started interviewing people around the Lichardis, the federal prosecutor was beginning to develop his own suspicions about Michael.