It sounds like this family has money. I have yet to live in a parish where the priests are not swayed by the sparkly families with money. Even the good ones surprise you sometimes by falling for it like anyone else. This is not a uniquely SSPX problem, that is true, but they are certainly not exempt.
Ay, you are correct about this family having wealth. Unfortunately, quite a bit of their wealth came from the services that they provided to the Chapel and Academy. Services for which OLOS paid top dollar. When you own the general contracting company that was awarded Church and Academy construction contracts - and you’re also the Treasurer who has contract awarding rights for the same said Church and Academy - you can’t lose.
Smartest guys in the room? They indeed think they are, but it’s not true because many Parishioners know what they did. We just don’t have any recourse but I to tell of their deceit and hope they are moving on to new prey.