Narcos at Apple?

The story behind the story

Dear Readers,

At first glance, this Lioness story sounds like the beginning of a psychological thriller: a charismatic, handsome ex-military-man-turned-lawyer is hired to the legal team of Apple. He had gone from rags-to-riches: growing up poor he then rose to attend one of the country’s best law schools, earning the praise of a senior military leader and a senior executive at Apple along the way. His backstory was remarkable, but was it true?

In time, the man pursued a sexual relationship with a woman he worked with at Apple–she, a high-ranking attorney who also happened to be going through a high-stakes divorce and child custody battle. A romantic relationship ensued.

At first, the man seemed perfect. When he pushed her during a fight some months later, she was shocked. Over time, she found herself in a cycle of abuse. She told us that he spit in her face, and at one point held a pillow over her face. She knew something wasn’t right about the man by now, but was so overwrought with work, parenting, and managing her divorce litigation, it took a long time for her to realize her safety was in danger. 

Then she found the heroin paraphernalia.