Think You Deserve Early Release? Prove It With This
I stood outside a case manager’s office years ago watching a guy plead his case. He said the same thing I’ve heard […]
FBI to Defendants: Cooperation Is Not Enough
Cooperation Alone Won’t Keep You Out of Prison Three years ago, this defendant signed his plea agreement and agreed to cooperate. He […]
Why the Chrisley Pardon Matters—Even If It Upsets You
The day Todd and Julie Chrisley surrendered to federal prison, I told their daughter Lindsie it was a good day. That might […]
Does Preparing Early Make You Look Guilty? What Federal Agents Really Think
A kid from San Diego called me this morning. Early 20s. First-time offender. Scared, but not clueless. He’d been watching our videos. […]
What If It Doesn’t Shorten Your Sentence? Why the Work Still Matters
I was alone, watching Mission: Impossible. My wife and kids were off doing their thing, and I wasn’t invited. So I went […]
The Silent Mistake That Cost Him His Business After Prison
Let me tell you about a call I got recently. It came from a man who had worked with our team more […]
Why Most People Waste Federal Prison (And Don’t Even Know It)
Sixteen years ago today, I was in a halfway house, serving my first full day after leaving federal prison. One thing I […]
What I Would Tell Myself Before Prison—17 Years Later at Pebble Beach
I recently got a voicemail from someone who said, “Dude, you only served 18 months. What are you complaining about?” Let me […]
The Hard Truth I Gave a Billionaire Before He Went to Prison
Sixteen years ago, I was sitting in a prison camp dining hall, wondering how I messed everything up. These days, I talk […]
What I Promised Myself the Day I Left Federal Prison
The Last Day in Federal Prison Doesn’t Feel Like Freedom Sixteen years ago today—May 19, 2009—I woke up in federal prison for […]
The Sentence You Could Have Avoided if You Moved Sooner
Hunter S. Thompson once wrote, “A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.” […]
Why Refusing a Job Before Sentencing Can Hurt You in Court
When I was first indicted, I didn’t think I’d done anything that wrong. Sure, mistakes were made—but prison? No way. I didn’t […]