A founder stepped away for paternity leave—something earned, not improvised. But during that brief absence, a long-trusted employee began quietly diverting client payments into a personal bank account. By the time the founder returned, reputational risk was escalating, and client trust was already fraying.

This case study is especially relevant if you are:

• A founder who has delegated operational control during a critical phase

• A board member facing unexpected client complaints tied to internal missteps

• An executive in a values-driven organization that’s suffered a breach of trust

• A legal or compliance advisor guiding leadership through sensitive termination

• A stakeholder looking to recover fast—without triggering lawsuits or scandal

A private response to a public risk—without lawsuits, headlines, or blame.

This case study covers how Pholus helped the founder contain fraud, protect the organization’s integrity, and respond with structured restitution. We sequenced termination lawfully, crafted quiet but effective client messaging, restored financial losses without litigation, and rebuilt internal legitimacy—all while keeping external attention to a minimum.

If you’re recovering from a betrayal—or sensing one—this case study may offer a useful roadmap.

Download it now and read it quietly. You’ll know if it applies.