The Stock Act Double Standard

Let’s look at how the system works—or doesn’t—when it comes to the Stock Act. Congress passed the law to prevent insider trading among politicians. Yet, when lawmakers themselves trade stocks based on non-public information—like selling off investments before the pandemic market crash—the investigations seem to quietly disappear.

But the consequences are vastly different when someone like a father of four in Texas trades on insider information and makes $150,000.

He doesn’t get the benefit of investigations that quietly close. Instead, he’s held accountable. This father called me on a Sunday, just before he was set to surrender to federal prison. His main question: “Will you help me prepare?”

To be clear, this isn’t about excusing wrongdoing. That father of four understands what he did was wrong, and he’s ready to face the consequences. But the question remains: why is he being held to a higher standard than the politicians who profited off the pandemic?

It’s not about political affiliation. Both Democrats and Republicans abuse the Stock Act and benefit from a system where they face fewer repercussions than everyday people. The hypocrisy is undeniable, and the injustice is real. If you’re facing a similar situation, you might feel powerless, but there are steps you can take to prepare. While you can’t change the system, you can influence how you’re seen within it.

Own Your Actions: The first step is accepting responsibility. Judges respect defendants who show accountability, not deflection.

Create a Record that Proves Why You’re A Candidate for Leniency: Start documenting how you’ve taken steps to grow from this experience. That might mean enrolling in educational programs, volunteering, or creating a plan to make any victims whole.

Understand the Process: Learn what to expect at every stage—from surrender to supervised release. Being informed helps you prepare effectively.

Work With Professionals: Whether it’s lawyers, mitigation experts, or others, surround yourself with people who are honest, authentic and have done what they are asking you to do.

The system isn’t fair. It’s frustrating to see politicians escape accountability (Stock Act is just one example) while others face life-altering consequences. But your focus needs to be on what you can control. You can’t rewrite the rules of the game, but you can decide how you’ll respond to them.

If you’re ready to prepare for what’s ahead, we’re here to guide you.

Justin Paperny

Read Our New York Times Article

And Lessons From Prison, Free!

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