Listen, I understand there is no defense for this kind of thing. In retrospect it was a selfish and stupid thing to do. The only reason I got seven years was because the investors got 82% of their initial capital back, and yes it was a Ponzi because [we] were raising funds to dig ourselves out of the hole. I had been diagnosed with a brain tumor, and at that delusional point when I made the fateful decision, the fund was the only thing I had. The prosecutor wanted 15 years, but for the extenuating circumstances.
I did everything that I could to make things right [why else did I buy all those damn books and courses? I was desperate]. The judge vetted that I did not live lavishly; I had the same car and apartment for five years, while taking maybe two weeks off that whole time. I made $55,000 per year lol.
My business partner got no time whatsoever because I took the full hit. Why should both of us go down? After I told him my decision, my partner never returned letters or phone calls after that. Why? Because he turned rat. Not only that, he and the SEC conspired on a lie that he confronted me [to avoid civil liability], when in fact I came forward because of an upcoming audit, and it was impossible to make the numbers. Now, he makes over 500K a year for a sports sunglasses company, Skullfriggincandy or something like that. How's that for gratitude?
To answer your question, the Warden did not allow trading, in fact any time someone placed a trade over the phone they were hauled down to SIS (internal security) and grilled for "operating a business". Improving oneself was frowned upon -- we were there to be punished, even though six years away in and of itself is no cakewalk.
But I will tell you this... in that brief period of time, I cannot believe how soft people have gotten, maybe because of the time I did. Is it me, or has this country become a bunch of whining whistleblowers? One day, the keyboard cowboys who take electronic potshots will look up from their tablets and discover reality. I remember one particular night sitting outside my cell reading. Next door, all I could hear was "Stop it, you're killing me" over and over again. None of my business, and I hope you never have to hear anything like that in your life.
Regards,
PTR
