I wasn’t sure what to do after my indictment. I really wish there was a resource I could have used to help me through this process. I hope this blog post provides some level of comfort, and acts a guide as to how to handle the immediate consequences of an indictment. I’m using my own failures as an example of what not to do. What little things I did correctly, I’ll share as well…
Once you’re indicted, your life as you know it, is over. There is no way to sugar coat that. As harsh as the following is going to sound, you must learn to face it, and accept reality.
Professional Life – Your professional life is over. Many white-collar professionals work in license-based professions (healthcare, law, business, etc), or they work for corporations. After your indictment, you will lose your license and your job. Very few companies will allow one to work, with the liability of an indictment. In my circumstance, I was terminated from the hospital (where I was the Chief of Medicine) within 24 hours.
Personal Reputation – Your personal reputation will be destroyed. Once you’ve been indicted, the DOJ is required to put out a press release. The press release will summarize the accusations against you. At the very bottom, if you squint carefully, it will state that these are just accusations, and the defendant is innocent until proven guilty. Local media will report on this; be prepared to be portrayed in a very negative light.
To make matters worse, the AP news wire also publishes DOJ press releases. That means you will also make national news. In my case, I made every single local news outlet, along with making the New York Times and Washington Post. Given the fact we are in the digital age, these news reports will forever be saved online for future employers, friends, family, partners, etc.
Financial Status – Civil forfeiture. After your indictment, your assets will be seized, even if you are innocent. Your cars, house, jewelry… basically anything of value will most likely be seized. If they have not found all your assets by the time you’re indicted, they will certainly seize everything after a guilty plea.
You must figure out how to attain resources to sustain your family. Plan for at least a year of resources needed. The sooner you start this price of the process, the better. Maybe you will need to borrow money, get another job, sell items or something else. I found another job, but took a 90% pay cut. I was also able to borrow (and I used that term loosely as I knew that I would have no means to pay the money back) money from my family.
Personal Life – This will be the most painful part of the indictment. You can look at literature if you would like, but very few marriages last through an indictment. The divorce rate prior to incarceration is around 70%, and after first year of prison, it’s close to the upper 90s, depending on what source you look at.
I can not explain why spouses leave their partner in their time of need. When you need someone the most, they might not be there for you. You have to accept this reality. After speaking to many other white-collar defendants, it seems that the divorce is harder than the indictment.
In my circumstance, my wife of 10 years left me after 4 months. We had been together for over 13 years, but the indictment was too much for her. You need to mentally prepare for the possible breakup. Remember that you are not better than statistics, the stronger you make yourself mentally, the more prepared you will be.
Your Belief in the Judicial System – You will be pleading guilty to a crime. Come to terms with that. It makes no logical sense to fight the federal government. The conviction rate and consequences of testing the federal government are astronomical. The federal conviction rate is 97 to 98% (again, depends on the source you look at). The only individual who wins in a federal trial is the defense attorney. They will make millions off of you, and you will most likely lose. Fighting back can also make you serve way more time.
The bottom line is that you will not beat the indictment. You will be going to prison. If you want to minimize the consequences, take a plea deal. The less resources the government invests in your case, the better the outcome you will likely have.
So, what can you do?
Your limbic system is in fight and flight mode. Anxiety and stress neurochemicals are shooting off in your thalamus. You can calm down your limbic system, and learn to strengthen your prefrontal cortex, which will help you manage the stress long term.
The first step is to seek professional help. I suggest going to a psychiatrist, and receiving medical therapy. Medical therapy will only be short term, until you strengthen your prefrontal cortex. I wish I had seen a psychiatrist. I would have been able to at least get some sleep, and medication to calm my brain.
Once your limbic system calms down, I recommend starting a mindful meditation practice. There are so many resources online. Just go on YouTube and type in “mindful meditation”.
Meditation did wonders for me, and I can’t give it enough praise. When I started my pretrial transformation, I meditated for at least 2 hours a day. This practice truly saved my life.
The next step is starting an extensive exercise program. There is a tremendous amount of literature supporting this. Notice I am stating extensive exercise; I’m not talking about 20 minutes of walking. I’m referring to about 120 minutes of exercise a day, 7 days a week. This also did wonders for my mental state. Make meditation and exercise a daily habit, like brushing your teeth.
Finally, you need to change your mindset. A mindset coach can help you attain enlightenment in a much faster and more efficient way. By starting a daily meditation and exercise routine, you are already 90% there. The other 10% will occur through coaching. Once you learn to live in the present, you can focus on action rather ruminating in regret, or being consumed with anxiety about the future.
By acting purposely in the present, your life will change dramatically for the better. You will be able to finally take accountability for your actions. You can start rewriting a new narrative for your life, which will help you tremendously during sentencing.
Through daily meditation, exercise, and with your new mindset, you will get through this. From my own personal experience, you will become a much better person. You will start to show gratitude. You will get to really know who loves you and who does not. You will finally get to be the person you always wanted to be.
You can change this indictment to the best thing that ever happened to you. This is not some wishy /washy statement. I promise you that if you take the right steps, your life will get better.
Until next time,
Shan Sultan
Shan Sultan worked as a medical doctor for 10 years before receiving a 48-month sentence for conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. Shan was designated to Lewisburg Camp.
