The last year I’ve had a big brother looking over my shoulder and I’ve hated every minute of it.? It started in November 2007.? There was a knock on my front door and there were two federal agents that were asking me questions regarding my medical supply business.? At first I thought it was a witty attempt of one of my friends trying to play a practical joke and punk me.? I’ll never forget it, they showed me their badges and federal identification.? I was very short with all my answers and told them any records that I had would take a couple days for me to provide.? The two agents left me their business cards and left my porch.? As they walked away, I noticed the woman was carrying a side arm (32 caliber semi-automatic weapon).? Then I got nervous.
I immediately called the phone numbers on the business cards, to verify these people were real.? They were very real.? The next phone call I made was to my attorney, accountant and 2 of my good friends.? No one had any good news for me.? Actually, they didn’t have any type of comforting comments besides a long silence, a hmmmm, and a couple DAMN MFER.? (exact quotes)
I’m sure by now you’re wondering what the hell did ya do Eathan?? Why are you under a federal investigation?? Have I seen you on the evening news?? Let me just say, I was NEVER arrested.? I was only investigated.
The short version is, I owned a successful medical supply company.? As most business owners, I began to expand my marketing program as my business grew.? I did several national marketing programs via mailed postcards.? I don’t know the exact number of mailers, but there was a dispute with the printer on who paid for the postage.? The local printer claimed that I didn’t pay for the bulk mailer postage.?? My position is, the printer took care of it all on behalf of my company.? That’s what you pay a private printing/mail company to do.? I was frustrated.
During several conversations, the investigators kept saying the amount in dispute was small.? OK, great!? I’m thinking if it’s that small, tell me and I’ll pay the disputed amount.? Is it $500 or $1k?? At one point I even mentioned that I can’t imagine having a mistake that is more than $3k-$4k.? That is when I was informed of the complexity of the situation.? They didn’t have a exact amount.? The estimated it could possibly be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.? I was speechless.? I immediately whipped out a calculator and gave them my estimation of my marketing over the last 12 months.
If I had spend $100,000 on direct mailers, my business would have much more revenue.? I’d have two GT-3 Porsche in the garage and not just one.? You people have made a major mistake!? The federal investigators didn’t care.? They want blood and money.
The federal investigators accused me of mail fraud.? They accused me of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and a few other things that I don’t remember.? The only thing I could hear was the punishment was by fine and/or jail.? The one thing I remember is their comment on my emotional reactions to the investigation.? Ms. G said, “you seem very calm for some one facing serious charges.”
I just gave her a blank stare and said, “that sounds like something I heard on CSI.”? So, I then told her, “10 years ago I would have lost my temper.? I’m upset, but don’t take your the lack of my outward emotion as me not caring or not being concerned…. I will show my emotion and feelings to my circle of trusted people and I don’t think me reacting any thing different right now will change your investigation or your professional opinion of me.”
How dare they attempt to play me as a fool.? Do they think I’m going to cry and confess to every unsolved mystery with in 500 miles of Dallas?? Hell no!? I’m not a criminal.? I’m innocent til proven guilty.? I haven’t done anything wrong and I will fight until my last breath to prove it!
Over the next 12 months, I had 3 federal subpoenas served on me.? I was verbally attacked by the local Assistant U.S. Attorney.? I had to turn over 3 years of business, personal and financial records.? Let me just say, It was a pain in the ASS!
Wednesday I got a message to return a phone call.? I was notified that the federal investigation is closed!? There are no charges to be filed.? Did I do anything wrong?? It’s disputed, but there was no evidence of me or my company being at fault.? They decided to move on to someone else.? It’s finally over!? I have to pick up all of my business records and sign a property release.? So if I don’t post any replies to your comments, they lied and took me into custody.
I gave a big sigh of relief.? I still feel like there will be tears of joy coming any minute.? After all of this, I’m still here and I’m still standing.? I have to admit that I don’t trust some people in law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s office.? Everything they did wasn’t reasonable or even fair.? They were bias from the first time they met me.
As I sit here and think about the outcome I begin to wonder if I would feel this way because of my race/ethnicity.? I can’t answer that.? I haven’t lived the life of the stereotypical black man.? I haven’t experienced the social challenges that many have.? I’m sure I will remember this experience for quite some time.
So I’m wondering, is my distrust for the legal system something that is a just normal for minorities?? Do my white counterparts have similar issues with the fairness of the legal system?
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