Sunday, April 5, 2009
Forty-Four Days Until My Release From Taft Federal Prison Camp
I’ve been publishing daily blog articles for longer than seven months. The initial purpose was to document my journey through prison. By writing about my thoughts, feelings and experiences through prison, I hoped to help others. The work was therapeutic for me, but I knew that those who were expecting to endure a struggle through the criminal justice system would find some value in the effort and perhaps my musings might be resourceful for some who were teaching others how to avoid the temptations that can lead to prison.
After consistent efforts I have accumulated a body of work. In an effort to advance my blog platform for users, I offer the following bio that my readers may refer to when scanning for a quick glimpse of who I am:
My name is Justin Paperny. I am 34 years old and I’ve been a lifelong resident of Southern California. My parents, Tallie and Bernard Paperny, reared my brother Todd and I in the affluent community of Encino, California. My father was a business owner and my mother had a career as a paralegal. As a young man I enjoyed a distinguished athletic career in baseball. Through sports I attended the prestigious Montclair Preparatory School, and traveled across the United States with various baseball teams. I had the honor of playing in three separate World Series tournaments, and I had the privilege of playing baseball for the Trojans at the University of Southern California.
Through my baseball career I learned values of good sportsmanship, including honor, integrity, good character, and the importance of teamwork. After graduating from USC in 1997, I built a career as a stockbroker. While working in money management, I was exposed to ethical dilemmas that led me away from the more virtuous values of my youth. Although I earned a significant income through my career as an investment executive working at such previously distinguished firms as Merrill Lynch, Bear Stearns and UBS, a lapse in my moral compass led me to disgrace what should have been a sterling reputation.
In 2007 I pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud. Through a misguided value system, I facilitatied a Ponzi scheme that defrauded innocent investors. I’m embarrassed to admit that my sole motivation was to enhance my commissions and profits for UBS.
My experience through the criminal justice system has given me opportunities to recalibrate the values that will guide my life going forward. I learned many lessons from prison, and I intend to devote the rest of my life sharing what I have learned. Through my published writings, speaking engagements, personal consultations, and training seminars, I will work to help others reach their highest potential by making values-based decisions.
The blog entries at JustinPaperny.com document my journey through prison. Those who wish to contact me for additional services I can provide may reach me at JPaperny@mac.com.
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