‘Waiting for Clarity’ Is a Risky Gamble During an Investigation
A YouTube subscriber, apparently calling all the way from Ireland, reached out to me after watching the video I posted yesterday, “The Call That Ended My Fantasy of Escaping Criminal Consequences.
He said I was giving myself too hard of a time by calling myself dumb based on how I reacted after my FBI interview. I appreciated his phone call, but the truth is, I was dumb—dumb to prepare so poorly and to not do anything to mitigate. That’s why I film these videos and share all of the horrific mistakes I made, with hopes that you’ll take action and avoid making the same ones.
Some will take action. Some won’t. Last week, for example, someone called and said, “An indictment, I think, is inevitable, but I’m holding out hope nothing will happen, so I am laying low until I get more clarity. If things pick up again, I’ll get going, too.”
Totally inconsistent with what Judge Bennett and Judge Bough have told us, but okay, cool.
When I was in federal prison, Michael Santos asked me to consider how hard my sentencing judge, Judge Stephen Wilson, worked to become a federal judge. This got me thinking, so I called my mom and asked her to send me his bio. Here’s what it revealed:
- B.A. from Lehigh University, 1963
- J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, 1967
- Trial Attorney, Tax Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 1968-1971
- Assistant U.S. Attorney, Central District of California, 1971-1977
- Chief of the Fraud and Special Prosecutions Section
- Private practice in Beverly Hills, 1977-1985
- Adjunct Law Professor, Loyola University and University of San Diego
- Nominated to the federal bench by President Ronald Reagan, 1985; confirmed by the Senate
Google your Judge, go through the same exercise. You will learn their path wasn’t quick or easy—it took decades of persistence, education, and hard work.
What would it take for you to show that same level of commitment in your own life?
What does your current record show? A well-documented, consistent effort to make amends and prove your progress change can speak volumes, while a last-minute attempt might fall flat.
If judges, athletes, and top executives act daily to achieve their goals, why would you approach your situation any differently?
When I was under investigation, I didn’t understand this. After I lied to the FBI, weeks turned into months without hearing a word from anyone—no calls from my lawyers, no news from the government. I convinced myself they had forgotten about me. I thought I could go on selling real estate, playing golf, and living my life as if nothing had happened. It was a fantasy—a fantasy that ended when my lawyer called and shattered my false sense of security.
While I was in the “I think they forgot about me” mode, my former client had been cooperating with the government. They were building their case. I had wasted golden opportunities to mitigate my situation. I could have been honest, started building a new record, and shown the government I was willing to accept responsibility. Instead, I did nothing, and I paid the price for it.
Here’s what you need to understand: the government doesn’t forget.
They have the time and resources to build their case. Waiting to see what happens is a recipe for disaster. You might be thinking, “What if nothing happens?” But the right question is, “What if it does?”
This reminds me of a lesson I learned a few years after my release. Shortly after my daughter was born in 2014, my older brother Todd chastised me for not having life insurance for my young family. He said, “It’s best to plan.” Deep down, I knew he was right. But like so many, I was caught up in life and kept thinking, “I’ll get around to it.”
Weeks after I finally got that life insurance, I had a close call while out for a run. I was nearly run off the road by an 18-year-old kid in a Range Rover who ran a stop sign while texting in Calabasas. As I barely dodged out of the way, I thought, “Thank God I protected my family.”
Invest in that insurance policy—do the work. Maybe you never need it, but there is comfort in knowing it’s there. Build that record, demonstrate why you are different than the government’s version of events, and show the work you have committed to over a lifetime. By doing this, you prepare for the worst-case scenario and set yourself up for the best possible outcome. This isn’t about being pessimistic; it’s about being smart and proactive. You’ll never regret being prepared.
If you know you need to act, but are delaying, schedule a call and tell us why!
Justin Paperny
Call/Text: 818-424-2220
