White Collar Advice

As someone who's been to federal prison, I understand the challenges facing white-collar defendants. Like me, you've made a mistake (in my case, more than one) leading you to federal prison. I am writing this short blog post as a reminder: your family is watching. I will repeat it: Your family is watching. How you navigate this period in your life will influence your journey and the lives of those...

As someone who has spent time inside , I can attest to the transformative power of solitude in federal prison camp. While many (most) view federal prison as a place of punishment and despair, it can also be an opportunity for growth and self-reflection. After all, most white-collar defendants will serve time in a minimum security camp--it is not a Russian Gulag or the prisons we see sensationalize...

This podcast will help you understand the role of a witness in a government investigation. Best, Justin 

As a former defendant I bring a unique perspective to Donald Trump's arraignment analysis. This podcast strives to provide insights into the processes involved, such as the arraignment process, pretrial supervision, and the potential consequences Donald Trump may face.  Understanding these aspects is crucial for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the legal proceedings surrounding this high-p...

Welcome to the White Collar Advice podcast, where we dive deep into white-collar crime and provide valuable insights to help you navigate the road ahead. Today's episode explores the critical importance of being proactive before sentencing.  Being proactive goes far beyond a superficial understanding of the charges you're facing. It requires a comprehensive approach to prepare you to tackle the ch...

Navigating A White Collar Crime Indictment: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective The criminal justice system is a complex web of stakeholders with unique perspectives and responsibilities. For those facing a white-collar crime indictment, understanding these roles can seem like learning a foreign language while simultaneously preparing for the fight of their life. This article and podcast aim to provid...

Navigating Life After Federal Prison and Learning from Past Mistakes 1: Constant Comparison to Others: I fell into the trap of constantly comparing my progress with others, which engendered anxiety and discontentment. I learned from this experience that everyone's journey is distinct, and focusing on individual growth and progress is crucial. Instead of getting caught up in comparing myself to oth...

Recently, I spoke at USC about white-collar crime and its power to instantly dismantle lives, reputations, and livelihoods. As I expressed to the business students, individuals must understand the value of early preparation to navigate the treacherous waters of a white-collar crime investigation and prosecution. In this article (a shorter summary of what I said at USC), we will explore why prepari...

Today is a big day for Elizabeth Holmes. She has experienced the ups and downs of public life—public acclaim, success, a government investigation, and now, the reality of surrendering to federal prison. As she prepares to serve 135 months, an underappreciated aspect or victory comes into play: she will start accruing credit for time served. Navigating the intricacies of a white-collar crime invest...

In this podcast episode titled "How To Sleep Well In Federal Prison," I share insights into the challenges of sleeping in a bright and noisy environment during my time in federal prison. Throughout my experience, I discovered strategies that significantly improved my sleep quality. Here are key points to consider: Engage in Physical Activity: Regular physical exercise played a transformative role...

Elizabeth Holmes, the once-prominent figure behind Theranos, is on the verge of surrendering to federal prison to serve a sentence of 135 months or just over 11 years. As her self-surrender to prison approaches, we understand that many questions and curiosities surround her impending prison experience. In this podcast, I answer 25 of the most commonly asked questions I have received since covering...

In this podcast, I emphasize the importance of family visits in federal prison based on my experience and what I have learned since my release from federal prison in 2009. I believe these visits are a valuable lifeline beyond mere connection, allowing prisoners to showcase their progress. I encourage fellow prisoners to set the right tone during these visits, and I suggest canceling them if you're...

The living conditions in a federal prison camp can vary, but they are generally less restrictive compared to higher-security facilities. Here are some key aspects of the living conditions in federal prison camps: Housing Living Conditions: Prisoners typically reside in dormitory-style housing units, which may have bunk beds and communal living spaces. Movement: Prisoners have more freedom of movem...

Earlier today, a  doctor from Los Angeles called me  to share his regret about his poor preparations for his sentencing hearing after pleading guilty to one count of tampering with consumer products, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1365(a)(4). Despite having addiction issues, voluntarily surrendering his medical license, and hiring excellent lawyers, he received an unexpected...

In this episode of the White Collar Advice podcast, I share my experience overcoming the challenges and stigma associated with a white-collar crime conviction. I discuss the benefits of adopting an "underdog" mindset and how it can help individuals in similar situations regain their confidence and rebuild their lives. I highlight  ten key benefits of living like an underdog: Resilience Resourceful...

In this podcast, I interview my good friend and former CEO Ron Throgmartin. Ron opens up about his troubled upbringing in Indianapolis, getting adopted, getting involved in the cattle business, becoming the target of a white-collar crime investigation, and his process to retain White Collar Advice. Ron discusses his regrets about not forcing his lawyer to negotiate a plea agreement and the process...

R. Kelly, a Grammy-winning R&B singer, was sentenced to  30 years in federal prison  after being found guilty of federal charges, including racketeering, sexual exploitation of a child, and bribery. Anyone with a brain can see Kelly failed to prepare for his sentencing hearing properly. Why? Like many defendants, R. Kelly let his lawyers do the talking. Specifically, his lawyers said Kelly "experi...

Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos, was found guilty of fraud charges and sentenced to 135 months in federal prison. As of now, she is due to surrender to the Federal Prison Camp in Bryan Texas on April 27th 2023. In this podcast, we'll be discussing the dos and don'ts for Elizabeth Holmes in federal prison. In prior videos in our series, I have covered her: First Day in Federal Prison Jobs...

Shortly before I was planning to run this morning, I received a call from an executive in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This executive encouraged me to share the extensive timeline from the White Collar Advice website. I have been reluctant to share the timeline because it seems too self-promoting. This executive viewed it differently. Specifically, he said the timeline was the primary reason he reached...

A victim of Jen Shah called me to discuss her life in prison. She expressed rage over the prison conditions and feels Jen is serving time in a "club fed." In sum, the punishment does not fit the crime. I truly empathize with this person. She was kind, honest, and thoughtful. I could tell she had given a lot of thought to the meaning of justice and how it should be served. While I will not mention...

As you likely know, Sam Bankman-Fried was one of the wealthiest people in crypto, primarily due to FTX and his Alameda Research trading firm. It all came crumbling down in the fall of 2022. The trial is set for October 2022. In this podcast, I compare how his choices compare to Theranos Founder, Elizabeth Holmes, who was recently sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison.  Thank you for jo...

Jen Shah surrenders to the federal prison camp in Bryan Texas today for 6 1/2 years or 78 months. When Jen reached out to our team, she expressed a number of goals or aspirations for her looming prison sentence, including creating a record that documents how she is responding to problems that she alone created. From our first call, we were encouraged by her willingness to learn and do the work. Th...

Our weekly Prison Professors nonprofit free webinar featured Jon Gustin, who recently retired as Administrator of the Residential Reentry Management Branch, overseeing all halfway houses and home confinement programs across the country. During our one-hour webinar, Jon Gustin and I covered: Who determines placement in the halfway house? Can the warden approve a compassionate release? Is it possibl...

10 DRASTIC THINGS To Do If You Are Going To FEDERAL PRISON 1: Tell everyone! 2: Stop Taking Any Shortcuts: I had this thirst for magical shortcuts and easy-to-follow formulas. 3: Very little value from our past, but to learn from it. But that is it. 4: Embrace your tendencies 5: Get in front of people: cold walk, cold call, speak to large groups. 6: Reverse Engineer: Look 10 years out 7: Don't Beg...

Many people involved in government investigations regret the plea agreement they signed. In short, they do not feel the plea agreement is accurate. How can we resolve this program? I cannot guarantee that the problem can totally be resolved, but I know one way to improve it! Before signing a plea agreement, make sure all stakeholders (defense lawyer, United States Attorney, Probation Officer, Judg...