White Collar Advice

The precharge phase is a tense and uncertain time, but it's also an opportunity to take steps that can influence whether you face lesser charges, avoid an indictment, or endure a long investigation. By being proactive—consulting with the right lawyer, preserving evidence, and demonstrating accountability—you can take control of your situation. Waiting, hiding evidence, or freezing in fear often ba...

When a federal subpoena arrives or a federal agent contacts you, the reality is clear: you're part of an investigation. But for so many people, that moment feels like it comes out of nowhere. I've been there. I know the panic that sets in, the shock of realizing that your actions—or the actions of others—have put you under scrutiny. It's easy to feel blindsided, but with some self-examination, the...

If you are a defendant, just do the opposite of Sean Combs. Justin Paperny

  In today's episode, I talk about Oliver Burkeman's Four Thousand Weeks and how his approach to time and priorities can guide anyone preparing for a probation interview. Burkeman's idea of "joyful neglect"—choosing what matters most and letting go of the rest—can help you create a clear, meaningful message. We'll explore how embracing limitations, being honest, and taking responsibility can shape...

The Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) has long struggled with deep-rooted issues around safety, transparency, and accountability. As high-profile cases bring new attention to the facility, there's now a large-scale, interagency investigation. I discuss the systemic issues facing MDC, the role of poor leadership and understaffing, and the Bureau of Prisons' need for meaningful reform. Until they...

There Are No Guarantees in Sentencing In this podcast, I lay out a simple but crucial truth: nobody can guarantee what your sentencing outcome will be or when you'll get out of fedearl prison. If you're focused on getting promises or assurances, you're missing the point. The federal psystem doesn't work that way, and asking for guarantees only shows a lack of understanding about what really drives...

In this episode, I explore how checklists, small habits, and intentional reflection can help you make progress while managing a government investigation. Inspired by The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande and informed by Atomic Habits , Hidden Potential , and Difficult Conversations , I share practical strategies for developing clarity and accountability. At the heart of this approach is the Stra...

In Range by David Epstein, the argument is clear: in today's unpredictable world, those with broader experiences—generalists—can be more successful than specialists. This resonates with me, as I had to rebuild my life after prison, trying new things and developing new skills. Epstein contrasts athletes like Tiger Woods and Roger Federer, showing how diverse experiences lead to success. This book r...

Tina Peters: 10 Critical Mistakes to Avoid in Prison

Time for another book review! Today, I'll cover Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant and how its lessons can help you get a shorter federal prison term. This book hit home for me because it emphasizes the value of rethinking your assumptions, something I've found to be essential to get the best outcome possible, including a shorter sentence and earlier release from f...

"Are you available to speak?" The text came five weeks after a client first retained our services. Despite knowing how critical it is to prepare, he had gone dark. Several team members reached out, but there was no response. Then one day, he texted me back, and we finally had the conversation that should've happened much sooner. I understand why some people retreat when facing a government investi...

In this podcast with Law & Crime, I explore what Sean "Diddy" Combs is likely going through in solitary confinement at a federal detention center. The experience can be brutal, especially if he focuses on things beyond his control, like when he can call home, the limited exercise, and the poor living conditions. I explain how Diddy can make his situation more bearable by learning from others who h...

Roald Dahl's The BFG may seem like a simple children's story at first glance , but it offers profound insights that can be incredibly useful for someone preparing for a government investigation. Through its characters and narrative, the book explores essential qualities like strategic thinking, humility, resilience, and the importance of alliances— traits that are crucial when navigating the compl...

In this interview with Angenette Levy from Law & Crime, I discuss the recent arrest of Sean "Diddy" Combs on racketeering and sex trafficking charges and what his future could look like if he remains in custody. We cover what life in jail might be like for someone of Diddy's profile, the steps he could take to navigate this difficult period, and how high-profile defendants manage their time in fed...

My daughter Alyssa and I have gone through every Roald Dahl book together, reading and listening. After we finished "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," I told her, "This is a story of vice versus virtue." She just laughed and said, "OMG!" I added, "I think I'm going to write book reports and film podcasts for each book." And again, "OMG!" she said. So, here we are with the first one! In this epis...

In the second video/podcast of my 10-part government investigation series, I share insights from the period following my meeting with the FBI. After lying to the FBI, I was told by my lawyers that I had just obstructed a federal investigation. Yet, for several months after that, I didn't hear from anyone—no calls from my lawyers, no news from the government. This lull gave me a false sense of secu...

In our webinar/podcast yesterday, Judges Bennett and Bough explained precisely how to take control of your narrative and prepare for sentencing. We also heard from a former Probation Officer, who shared how your preparations won't just influence your sentencing—they'll impact how quickly you could get released from prison and the level of freedom you have afterward. Some of you will act on this ad...

When you first enter federal prison, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that your time there is simply something to endure. Many people convince themselves that once they're out, they can start fresh, and what happens in prison won't matter. This couldn't be further from the truth. Your decisions during prison will set up the coming years of your life. Let's consider two individuals with...

Many people continue to make bad decisions after they become the target of a federal investigation. I'm excited to introduce my friend, Andrew Bernstein, a Fox Rothschild partner specializing in white-collar criminal defense and government investigations. Andrew has a unique background, having started as a New York City public defender dealing with serious crimes, which laid the foundation for his...

In this CNN interview, I discuss the challenges Steve Bannon is likely to encounter as he prepares to serve his four-month sentence in federal prison. He surrenders later today. The discussion focuses on his life in prison and whether Bannon can avoid problems during his incarceration. Will he lay low and avoid drama or go all in to promote his interests, creating potential problems with prison st...

In this podcast, I describe my first seven days in the halfway house following my release from federal prison. This video will help you prepare for the halfway house, which requires you to prepare properly in federal prison. Key points covered include: The importance of doing your own thing and staying focused Avoiding gossip and haters in federal prison.  Sharing your progress and work with stake...

I connected with Ron Chapman through LinkedIn, where we often commented on each other's posts about mitigation. A few weeks ago, after I posted a video describing why some white-collar defense attorneys were averse to working with consultants, Ron commented. "Justin, the issue is that in your industry there are a lot of vultures. Big promises of RDAP admission, programs, mitigation success. Most a...

Hi, Justin here, and I am super excited to provide this book summary of Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life." This book is not just a recount of Schwarzenegger's remarkable journey from a small village in Austria to becoming a global icon in bodybuilding, Hollywood, and politics; it's also a profound source of practical wisdom that can be particularly beneficial for anyone nav...

Our team at White Collar Advice is proud to collaborate with some of the best legal minds in America. Today, I have the privilege of interviewing one of them, my good friend, Diane Bass. In this video, Diane discusses a particularly challenging case where, despite her client's conviction at trial, her planned mitigation strategies led to an extraordinary court outcome. Her client, who had been tak...

In this podcast episode, I dive into "The 50th Law" by 50 Cent and Robert Greene, a book that explores the profound theme of fearlessness. Drawing parallels to Greene's "The 48 Laws of Power," this work offers a compelling look at how embracing fearlessness can transform weaknesses into strengths. I share personal insights on how these principles can be applied not just in confronting the challeng...