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Federal Prison Was Wasted Time—Until I Embraced This Advice

Release Date: 06/21/2025

Why This Doctor May Get A Longer Federal Prison Sentence

White Collar Advice

Watching Isn’t Enough—You Have to Do the Work If you're on this channel, you're likely under investigation—or love someone who is. Watching videos helps, but action matters more. Six weeks ago, I told a doctor to role-play sentencing with his lawyer, review the sentencing memo, and help shape his story. He didn’t. The night before sentencing, he hadn’t even read the memo. His lawyer’s advice? “Do the best you can.” That’s not a plan. If you want the shortest sentence, you can’t be passive. You have to advocate, prepare, and implement—every step matters. Join our every...

Alone in Federal Prison, I Finally Faced Why I Lied

White Collar Advice

Tell the Truth Early—or Pay for It Later After prison, the agent who arrested me invited me to speak. He told the crowd, “Had Justin told us the truth in that first interview, we wouldn’t have recommended indictment.” That moment stuck. I wasn’t honest because I wanted my lawyer—and the agents—to see the “good” version of me. But hiding the truth backfired. Most defendants walk into proffer sessions and probation interviews totally unprepared. I did too. And it cost me. If you're not ready to be honest—with your lawyer and the government—you’re risking your freedom....

He’d Served 22 Years in Prison. I Was Wasting My 18 Months—and He Knew It

White Collar Advice

Why I Almost Wasted My Prison Term When I met Michael, he’d served 22 years. I had 18 months. He said, “I’ll do every day with you,” and he meant it. He became a mentor—but I resisted at first. One day he asked, “On a scale of 1–10, how hard are you preparing to go home?” I said, “One.” His reply hit hard: own your choices or keep asking for favors when you get out. Most people inside didn’t plan, didn’t lead, didn’t prepare. I was no different—until I listened. Don’t waste your sentence. Lead your own rebuild. Join our every Tuesday at 11AM Pacific / 2PM...

Bear Stearns Locked Us In. UBS Expected Millions. Unprepared for the Chaos.

White Collar Advice

When You Resign From a Brokerage: The Scramble for Control and Clients Leaving a brokerage isn’t smooth—especially on a Friday. In this story, my resignation sparked panic. The branch manager tried to lock us in, knowing UBS would want our clients fast. The firm technically owns the accounts, so they handed them to top brokers who smeared us to keep assets in-house: “Justin’s gone,” “your account’s too small,” “it’s not worth switching.” One broker got $70 million in client assets dumped on his lap with one mission: keep it. That’s the pressure. That’s the game. Real...

The Shame of My Federal Prison Sentence Never Goes Away—But These 2 Things Helped

White Collar Advice

Rebuilding Starts the Day You Plead Guilty Once you plead guilty, stop blaming others. You’re not a victim—you’re responsible for what comes next. I wasted my first few months in prison until I shared a cubicle with Michael. He helped me shift my mindset: create assets, take control, and provide value. That’s how you rebuild. Write. Document your journey. Offer something useful to others. These steps matter now—not six months before release. Judges and probation officers don’t care about promises; they care about proof. You’ve got time—use it right. Join our every Tuesday at...

Federal Prison Was Wasted Time—Until I Embraced This Advice

White Collar Advice

every Tuesday at 11AM Pacific / 2PM Eastern.

Why Judge Wilson Dismissed the SEC and Sent Me to Prison

White Collar Advice

How Cooperation Helped—And What Didn’t For a year before sentencing, I worked with the SEC to explain how the fraud at UBS unfolded. That effort paid off. The SEC told the DOJ they didn’t view UBS as a victim, which meant I didn’t owe $8.5 million in restitution. Investors got their money back—thanks to UBS, not me—but it helped reduce the financial damage at sentencing. Still, the judge wasn’t swayed. He saw someone with every advantage who chose to look the other way for money. His message: you got caught, others don’t. That’s why you’re going to prison. Join our every...

Co-Defendant in Trouble. Was This My Break—Or Would I Still Face Prison?

White Collar Advice

I Got a Second Chance—But Only Because My Co-Defendant Blew His Six months after I pled guilty, I got a call: my co-defendant Keith had been indicted again, this time for hiding assets through a straw buyer. That move tanked his credibility—and opened the door for me. The government wasn’t going to use most of what he said against me. Instead, I got a shot to cooperate with the SEC. They wanted details about how UBS let a small-time hedge fund operator run unchecked. My lawyer made it clear: this could cut years off my sentence—but only if I told the full truth. Join our every Tuesday...

Ten Months After My FBI Meeting, the Silence Finally Broke

White Collar Advice

I Lost My Chance to Cooperate—And Paid the Price By the time the government came to me, they already had their case—thanks to my client, who got ahead of it and cooperated. I didn’t. I lied. That lie cost me the chance to earn credit for cooperation. When my lawyer told me I could either plead or go to trial and lose, the plea deal on the table was five years. That phone call came 10 months after I thought I’d moved on. The press release didn’t name me, but I knew who the “co-conspirator” was. Join our every Tuesday at 11AM Pacific / 2PM Eastern to start building your defense...

The FBI Asked Me One Question, Twice. My Answer Put Prison in Play.

White Collar Advice

How I Went from Witness to Target in One Meeting I walked into the meeting thinking I was just a witness. But seven minutes in, the FBI asked if I remembered a press release claiming my client’s hedge fund returned 27% annually. I said no—twice. Then they showed me proof: an email I had written mocking that very claim. My lawyer ended the meeting on the spot. I wasn’t under oath, but I had just obstructed a federal investigation. That moment changed everything. Real lesson: Lying—even casually—can turn you from witness to defendant fast. Join our every Tuesday at 11AM Pacific / 2PM...

More Episodes

Don’t Just Say You’re Sorry—Show It

Saying “I’m sorry” won’t carry much weight with a judge. What does? Proof. Michael told me: create an asset. Write a book. Draft a reentry plan. Start a blog. I wrote a letter to my judge from prison—and that changed everything. These assets show effort. They give judges, case managers, and probation officers something real to read and consider. But here’s the catch: it takes work. Most wait until it’s too late. If you’re not documenting who you are now, you’ll lose the chance to show it later.

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