To my family, friends and professional acquaintances, recently, I
had been told that I was trying to conn everyone in to thinking I am
something other then who I am. In an answer to that and to be sure this
comes from me I am writing this to apologize to all those who love and
supported me through this past year and a half.
While I cannot talk about some of the specifics I will be as open as I can about this:
In
late 2009 after getting laid off from my former employer I was notified
of an investigation pertaining to my use of my then company credit
card, I immediately contacted the investigating authority the Oakland
County Sheriff’s Department and provided them with any and all
information I was asked, I went in for an interview and answered all
questions asked of me. In March of 2010 I was taken into custody
(arrested) and spent 24 hours in the Oakland County Jail for the crime
of embezzlement. After a video arraignment I was released on a $50k
personal bond and let out.
The next day my
ex-wife Suzann and I met with a criminal attorney who would spend the
next year working toward some sort of “plea” with the prosecution.
During this time, going to trail was discussed in depth with my family,
my lawyers and because of the expense of taking a case to trial (we were
told it would cost close to $250,000) it was determined that the best
course would be for me to plead “No Contest” I refused to plead guilty
for this crime because while some of what was claimed was true there was
a big difference in what was true and what was being clamed.
So
just after the New Year I went in for my scheduled court appearance in
circuit court and entered the plea of “No Contest”, while I never had to
admit guilt entering this plea in the criminal justice system meant
that I was guilty, and guilty of all claims. In the eyes of the law a
plea of No Contest is a guilty verdict with out ever admitting the
guilt. On April 14th I along with Shelby (my daughter) went
into the same courtroom for sentencing. I was givin the chance to
speak, to apologize to my daughter, the court and the victim. My
position was to ask the court for an at home confinement but it was not
to be. I was sentenced to 120 days in Oakland County Jail with 5 years
of probation. I was put in hand cuffs on the spot and the most haunting
image was that of Shelby standing not knowing what to do with tears
streaming down her face.
As helpless as a
father could be! I was taken and placed in the holding cells for 3 or 4
days before I was classified and then placed into what would be my
permanent “Block”. Because I have M.S. I was placed in one of the
blocks used for medical quarantine. I spent a total of 72 days in the
Oakland County Jail, and intensely embarrassing time for my family and
close friends who knew that this investigation was going on. It will
continue to be an intensely embarrassing time for my family for sometime
to come.
As I write this I sit in my home with
a tether strapped to my leg because after writing a letter to the judge
I was released early from the jail to serve the remainder of my time at
home. There were serious medical issues concerning my M.S. that could
not be dealt with inside. I sit here writing this so that several
things get accomplished, one I take full responsibility for what I did
and if you look at me with the eyes of the law I am guilty, I do not
accept the entirety of what is being claimed and as such a restitution
hearing has been scheduled so that I can hope to get this to a more
realistic settlement.
There is no excuse for
what I did, there will never be one, I’ve often said that every man has a
breaking point, where given enough regardless of how strong that man
appears to be on the outside he will break. There often is no telling
what a man will do when he does break; this letter is a result of what I
did.
I am ashamed and embarrassed by my
actions, I am extremely sorry for the embarrassment I have caused those
close to me and I will go to my grave carrying that with me. They say
after restitution is paid off my probation will end and I can have this
crime expunged from my record after 5 years. Regardless when that takes
place I will forever carry this with me!
I
would like to thank Shelby and my ex-wife Suzann for there support and I
am particularly proud Shelby for having to go through the most drastic
learning curves an 18 year old daughter should have to go through. I
would also like to thank the rest of my family and friends who stood by
me in this. I am sorry for the embarrassment and letting you all down.
