The irony of the whole thing is that no one has disputed that the money was both sent and received. Seems to me it would have been more plausible if it was just another pinky story, where it really didn't happen.
Depending on who\which version one want's to believe the deal was either a loan or non-refundable free money.
In either case Joe, being the puppet master, would have allowed this as it was structured?
Implausible, incomprehensible, impossible. Not a chance.