How to Prepare for a Government Investigation (Before It’s Too Late)
If you’re under a government investigation, you’re probably feeling a mix of fear, confusion, and maybe even denial. I get it. But let me be clear—by the time you realize you’re in trouble, the government has already built its case. You’re not at the beginning of this process. You’re in the final innings, and the clock is ticking.
I recently got a call from a physician in New York. Six weeks ago, he watched one of our videos with federal judges, and he knew he needed to prepare. But he waited. He called me again the day before sentencing—panicked, unsure of what to say in court, and realizing too late that his lawyer hadn’t even walked him through his sentencing memorandum. His lawyer told him, “Just show up. It’s going to go great.”
That’s not a plan. That’s negligence. And it happens all the time.
Then there’s Dr. Nate Schott, who saw the warning signs early and did something about it. His case shows exactly why preparation changes everything when you’re preparing for a sentencing hearing.
Sentencing Playbook: Don’t Assume You Have Time
A lot of people think they’re ahead of the game. They tell themselves, “I’ll deal with this when I know more.” That’s a mistake.
Former FBI agent Paul Bertrand, the agent who worked my case, says it best:
“When we see your name and start investigating, we’re already in the bottom of the eighth inning.”
The government has already made up its mind about you. Now it’s your job to change the narrative before sentencing.
Who Actually Decides Your Fate? (It’s Not Just the Judge)
People assume that if they just say the right things in front of a judge, they’ll get a lighter sentence. That’s not how it works. By the time you walk into court, multiple people have already influence your outcome:
- Your Probation Officer: Writes the Pre-Sentence Report (PSR) that the judge will rely on. If you don’t prepare for this interview, you’re making a huge mistake.
- The Prosecutor: Their job is to secure convictions. Their “win” is your sentence.
- The Judge: They’ve sentenced thousands of people before you. You need to stand out in the right way.
- The Bureau of Prisons (BOP): Your PSR will follow you into prison. It affects where you go, how long you stay, and what programs you qualify for.
The point? If you’re not taking control of your own story, someone else is writing it for you.
What Nate Did That Most Defendants Don’t
Dr. Schott’s situation wasn’t great. He had already signed his plea deal before reaching out to us. But he still had time before sentencing, and he used it wisely.
Here’s what he did differently:
✅ Prepared a clear personal narrative before his probation interview.
✅ Submitted a case study to the probation officer, shaping how he was presented in the PSR.
✅ Understood how to talk to the judge—not by making excuses, but by showing accountability and a plan to make his victims whole, even if it would time.
The government wanted 51 to 63 months.
He got 33 months—and was out in 10 months.
This wasn’t luck. It was strategy.
The Probation Interview: The Most Overlooked Step in Sentencing
Your probation interview isn’t just some paperwork meeting—it’s your one shot at influencing how your probation officer sees you.
Judge Mark Bennett, who sentenced over 4,000 defendants, openly says:
“Providing a well-prepared case study to your probation officer before the interview is a phenomenal idea.”
If you do this right, you’re not just telling your story—you’re proving you’re more than your conviction. This influences:
✅ Your sentencing range
✅ Where you’ll serve your time
✅ Your eligibility for early release
A bad PSR can add years to your sentence. A strong one can help shorten it. Which one do you want?
What Happens at Sentencing (And What You Should Actually Say)
Here’s the mistake most people make at sentencing: They think they’re there to argue their case.
No. That time has passed. You are not there to convince the judge you’re innocent. You’re there to show:
- You take responsibility (without sounding defensive).
- You have a plan to move forward.
- You understand the harm caused—and how to make things right.
Dr. Schott didn’t make excuses at sentencing. He didn’t beg. He didn’t try to relitigate his case.
Instead, he presented a clear, well-prepared statement that showed remorse, personal growth, and a plan. His judge even told him later, “I believed you.”
That’s what works.
Life After Prison Starts Before Sentencing
The biggest mistake I see? People waste their time in prison. They assume they’ll figure things out when they get home.
By then, it’s too late.
Dr. Schott started planning his new business before he even walked into court. Because of that, he came home with momentum. Today, he:
✅ Runs a successful business in healthcare consulting.
✅ Speaks at law conferences and to the FBI about compliance and white-collar crime.
✅ Is actively paying back restitution while rebuilding his career.
This didn’t happen by accident. It happened because he took action early.
What Happens If You Don’t Prepare?
If you wait, here’s what’s coming:
❌ A higher sentence than you could have gotten.
❌ A bad probation report that follows you into prison.
❌ A rougher prison experience with fewer opportunities.
❌ Coming home lost, with no plan and no options.
You can avoid this—but only if you start now.
Final Thoughts: What You Need to Do Right Now
If you’re under investigation and haven’t started preparing, you are behind. But you can still create your own sentencing playbook, like Nate did,—if you act now.
- Don’t wait until the night before sentencing.
- Prepare for your probation interview like it’s a job interview that will determine how long you serve in federal prison, if at all.
- Control the narrative before the government does it for you.
If you’re in this situation, I get it. It’s overwhelming. It’s terrifying. But I’ve been through it, and our team has helped people just like you get through it, too.
👉 Schedule a call with our team today. You don’t have time to waste.
Justin Paperny
