When the State Walked Away from Reentry, We Didn’t
A few days ago, my partner Michael Santos got a message from the California Department of Corrections. It wasn’t a surprise—but it […]
Why I Turned Down $5K for Gossip About Elizabeth Holmes in Prison
Let me tell you about a message I got recently. Someone who served time with Elizabeth Holmes at the federal prison camp […]
Why Denial Keeps You Stuck—and What Owning It Set Me Free
A few weeks ago, I played golf with an old friend and former client of mine—a guy I’ve known for years. He […]
How to Respond to Kickback Schemes Charges—and Avoid the Mistakes That Make Things Worse
When I was indicted for securities fraud, I remember sitting in my lawyer’s office, nodding along while hearing terms I barely understood—“conspiracy,” […]
What I’d Do If I Were Facing Healthcare Fraud Charges Today
When I was under federal investigation, I wanted a shortcut. I kept hoping something—anything—would spare me from prison. But all the hoping […]
Preparing for Medicare Fraud Charges: What Most Defendants Get Wrong
When I first got the call that federal agents were investigating me for securities violations, I felt my life collapse in real […]
Lessons From Prison: What Anyone Facing Employment Tax Crimes Must Understand
When I first heard about Dale Thrush—the Michigan businessman convicted of employment tax crimes and failure to file his income taxes—I had […]
Why Judges Don’t Trust Words—And What Actually Works at Sentencing
When most people think about federal sentencing, they imagine long letters from lawyers, emotional pleas from family, and a personal statement delivered […]
Stop Wasting Time on Healthcare Fraud Regret—Start Building
I’ve read a lot of sentencing stories over the years, but when I came across the one about Dehshid “David” Nourian—a pharmacist […]
What I Wish I Knew Before Facing Tax Fraud Charges
Getting Real About Tax Fraud Charges I’ve talked to thousands of people who were stunned when they first heard the words “tax […]
Why Judges Ignore Your Sentencing Narrative If Your Attitude Is Wrong
From the Desk of Justin Paperny I’ve read personal narratives that could move anyone to tears. I’ve seen ten, fifteen character letters […]