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 […]
What One Doctor Got Right—And What Most Defendants Miss
A physician on the East Coast recently reached out to me. He had pled guilty to tax charges and was preparing for […]
What Judges Want to Hear—and What You Keep Getting Wrong
Over the years, I’ve heard every kind of sentencing pitch you can imagine.. Some are short and procedural. Others drag on, filled […]
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,” […]
The Sentencing Mistake That Makes Judges Lose Trust
One of the biggest mistakes I see defendants make is waiting. They wait to take action.They wait for sentencing.They wait until they’re […]
Still Blaming the Government? You’re Not Ready for Sentencing
I’ve seen a lot of sentencing presentations fall flat. Not because the person wasn’t remorseful. Not because they weren’t scared. But because […]
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 […]
The Sentencing Mistake I See Too Many Defendants Make
There’s a mistake I see over and over:Someone walks into a federal sentencing, stands in front of the judge, and says they’ve […]
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 […]
Why Hope Fails in Court—and What Actually Works at Sentencing
A second chance. That’s what everyone wants when they’re standing in federal court. But wanting something in a courtroom doesn’t mean you’ve […]