Reflections

Unpredictable Landscape In the unpredictable landscape of a federal criminal indictment, it’s not often that one encounters guiding lights amid the complexity of plea agreements and allegations. For me, that guiding light was Jeff Grant and the White Collar Support Group, and their impact on my life was immediate. From the moment I was introduced to the…

Accepting responsibility is never easy, especially when the repercussions of our actions ripple out to affect others. While I, along with the judicial system, defend and acknowledge that my circumstances were caused by the culmination of an untreated mental illness and lacked all criminal intent, I still fully accept the consequences I caused to others.…

One of the features of Social-Media, especially LinkedIn, one can see who (or from what organization) viewed their profile. For most people this is no big deal, but for the White-Collar Justice-Impacted community, it can bring a wave of emotions. Including fear, shame, guilt, judgement, and diminishment. Of course, it’s not the person viewing our…

As the proud, stoic middle-aged man with a smile as wide as the mouth of the Mississippi was nudged down the dorm hall by his bunk mate who looked like that tall bearded wizard from Harry Potter, he fist-bumped and high- fived the guys lining the cold, cinder block walls as if he was entering…

In our fast-paced, hyperconnected world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of judgment. We make snap decisions based on limited information, often reinforcing stereotypes and limiting our understanding of the complex human experience. But what if we shifted our mindset from judgment to curiosity? What if we approached differences and unfamiliar situations with a…

We like to put things, especially people, in boxes. We like to slap a label on that box and “know” what that person is. Notice I said what, not who. “What” is easy “Who” involves a deeper level of understanding most people aren’t willing to explore. They’re either afraid to confront their own humanity or…

A Journey to Rediscover Joy in a Triggered World In a world where the constant buzz of triggers surrounds us, it’s easy to become entangled in the web of negativity and past traumas. We find ourselves hyper-focused on anticipating the next trigger, reliving moments that haunt us, and inadvertently staying trapped in the shadows of…

Before I left for prison, I had made a big mess. To put it lightly, my neighbors didn’t like me, and I can’t say I blame them. I live in the county on 10 acres in a nice, quiet area. When I slipped and fell back into addiction, I was not quiet. When my daughter…

In navigating the complex journey from incarceration to personal redemption, individuals often confront a myriad of challenges and transformative experiences that shape their path towards self-discovery and growth. As a dedicated member of our white-collar support group since April of 2019, I find myself frequently reflecting on my challenging journey through the criminal justice system. …

“Man, I’ve never seen anyone present with such raw, naked vulnerability.” It’s only thirty seconds after delivering a talk in downtown Brooklyn, and I’m a little caught off guard and humbled. I just laid bare my past: prison, loss, suicide ideation, and the path I took back to myself. I smile as he continues, “You…

“Out of massive suffering emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” – Khalil Gibran When I was arrested, my life was over. When I pleaded guilty, my life was over. When I was barred from my career, my life was over. When the gavel came down, punctuating my prison sentence,…

There are many things that make us happy. Family, travel, hobbies, exercise, reading, watching sports, listening to music, and yes, work. We often take the last one for granted as we spend so much time at it. We count the days until the weekend, weeks until vacation and years to retirement. But all in all,…

Are you living in the truth? Or are you living in the story? This came up for a client recently, threatening to stop them from doing something that brought them joy and empowerment. Here’s what I’m talking about and why it matters. There are two ways this shows up in our lives: 1. Something negative…

It will be on the short list of things your mind will immediately focus on once the federal prosecutors inform you that they intend to charge you. “How do I stay out of prison?” Deferred prosecution having been removed from the table; probation now becomes the golden ticket. At this point, if they haven’t informed…

In August 2021, I pleaded guilty to wire fraud & was sentenced to 27 months in Federal prison. Naturally, I was concerned about where I would be assigned to serve my sentence; I wanted to be close to home in Minneapolis, MN and assigned to a camp. Through my attorney I requested the camp in…

This is based on my experience reporting to the Alderson, WV Camp during Covid. Other self-surrender experiences may differ. I knew my first day would be very stressful due to all the unknowns, so I arrived early. When I arrived at the gate, there was a phone on the wall with instructions to dial for…

The last five years of my life have been a life changing journey, filled with some of the most challenging moments I’ve ever faced. Amidst a life that has seen its share of ups and downs, losing my dad and best friend while still in my teens, taking risks in business that looking back seem…

I was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison in January 2022 and was designated to Alderson Federal Prison Camp. I reported on February 28, 2022. Based upon my allocution, the judge made a recommendation RDAP as part of my Judgment and Commitment. RDAP (Residential Drug Abuse Program), is a 500-hour Bureau of Prisons substance…

“What are holidays like in prison?” It’s a big and important question because so many fears course through our minds as we walk this path, and this is one of them. So much so, I dedicated a chapter to it in “Blank Canvas, How I Reinvented My Life After Prison.” An important aspect of a…

My journey in the criminal justice system has been going for over 10 years now. My former spouse was charged in 2010. I was charged in 2014, I pled guilty, and sentenced in 2015. I served my time in 2019 and 2020. Later this year, in December, I’ll be done with Supervised Release.  While the…

I wanted it to be done. I don’t know what done actually meant, I just knew I wanted it, and I wanted it more than I wanted anything. I’m referring to how I felt after I was arrested by the FBI. I wanted the situation to be over, but I couldn’t see the other side; I…

I could target this post to a broad audience of anyone looking to invest in any program to improve their lives, but I’m deliberately focusing on a particular niche. For anyone who doesn’t know, I committed fraud against a tech giant and went to prison. The experience opened me up to a world I didn’t…