Quote from optionsmaven:
Gentlemen,
I used that term loosely, as some of you have hardly acted in that fashion, the unearthing of a âscandalâ in my past has causing this Forum to be used for matters unrelated to the discussion of options. Why this is relevant is beyond me, but there it is, and I shall address it. Those who have posted re a now 16 year old case have revealed an palpably perverse delight in elucidating my misfortune. What that says about them I leave for readers to decide; who knows, maybe they also beat their wives and kick small dogs. In any event, I have no wish to dredge up the circumstances of case, as anyone with an ounce of humanity can appreciate, other than to say that there are always two sides to every story, and the information available on the internet presents only the Maryland Attorney Generalâs perspective on the allegations. Suffice to say, there was enough against me to enter a plea agreement, as all my assets had been seized and mounting a credible defence without funds to fight the charges, seemed futile. I ended up serving 4.5 years in durance vile, most of it in a Medium Security prison, sharing a 7â by 11â cell with a drug dealer in for murder: an experience I can assure you that I would not recommend to my worst enemy. I received no breaks such as early work release or home detention and was set free in July 1999 on Mandatory Parole/Probation. I finished that portion of my sentence as a law abiding citizen and have been one ever since. It might be of interest to you all to know that the SEC (originator of the case) in 1996 settled their charges against me âwithout me admitting or denying guiltâ and I am allowed to participate in any legitimate commercial activity, including the securities business, as long as I do not violate the conditions of Securities Acts of 1933 and 1934, as amended. This I have done, am doing, and will do, in future, as instructed. So, accusing me of âstill scamming in your 70's", is not only inaccurate, itâs probably actionable. Summing up, Iâve paid my debt to society, my transgressions have ruined my life and I have no one to blame but myself, but the past is the past, not the present. For those who believe in retribution, that âpound of fleshâ has been taken, and for those who believe that atonement should allow a man to rehabilitate himself, well, thatâs where I am, at present. For those who instead think that I should carry this cross to Calvary, well to them I say, OK, but remember, I still have my First Amendment rights, so all I ask on this Forum, or on any publication, is to weigh the material on its merits, not on the mistakes made by the source long ago. Donât shoot the messenger, just because you may differ with the conclusions drawn.
Thank you, and good trading to all.
Josh Fry