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CONFESSIONS OF A
MONEY LAUNDERER by Kenneth Rijock
MONEY LAUNDERER by Kenneth Rijock
Financial Crime Consultant, for World-Check
Confessions of a Money Launderer - Part 58
18 March 2008
On the day of my release, after nineteen months and several days in custody, I gave away my Army watch, law-books and all the other useful items, as I wouldn't need them on the outside. I said my goodbyes to people who wouldn't get out for some time, some former clients, some friends from Miami's legal scene, and to my clients' accountant, who would not be released for several more months. I was going "to the door," to actual release, not to the halfway-house. My sister, who had been the only constant during my incarceration, and who would later go to law school herself, came to pick me up. Leaving the camp for good was a lot like being permanently transferred out of a military installation during service, but infinitely better; A breath of fresh air. At Eglin, the civilian airport was part of the air base. When I boarded the aircraft, and saw that the pilot, first officer, and flight engineer were all female, I thought I'd been away for far too long, as the world had changed around me. Maybe it was me that had changed, but in any event, I was free, airborne and on my way to the next chapter in my life.
My first impressions:
Next week: Opportunity knocks.
- Two years away from anywhere, you notice changes; the trees and plants are taller; new buildings under construction. over on South Beach (as it had come to be known during my absence) the focus on Art Deco restorations had given way to tourist hotels and bars. nice, but far from the original concept the planners had a decade before, when it was all retirees staying in the hotels in their original condition. But enough of this; back to my new life, such as it was.
- I had gotten divorced during my stay (no surprise) so I was coming home to my parents' spare bedroom, where I had originally stayed upon arrival from Vietnam, twenty-two years earlier. Was it strange? Not really, though getting up after dawn took some getting used to. There was the usual disapproval from society, but having experienced it before when I returned from Vietnam, it wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. You can get used to being an outcast; just focus on yourself. ignore the rest.
- One of the partners in my counsin's law firm, who had represented me during my refusal to talk to the Grand Jury five long years before, offered me a paralegal assistant job, which I gladly took, with thanks. One day I was in prison, the next workday, I was at work in the old law office environment which I had spent close two twenty years working in. Did I initially think the people there didn't know how good they had it? Certainly I did.
- What a difference a week makes-going from raking leaves in an air force blue work uniform, to wearing a tie once again (thank goodness) and becoming a civilian. No longer the stigmatised inmate, I was now out on what is euphemistically called Supervised Release, the new form of Parole. Same sh_t, different day; it is basically a way in which the system keep tabs upon you for a couple of years, lest you offend again, at which time you will be unceremoniously returned to custody, upon arrest, and long before your trial in the new case.
- My initial probation officer was into absolute control, but I had a new agenda. Since my clients, whom I had zealously represented and protected for years had turned on me as their version of gratitude, I was about to return the favour. I had myself transferred to the High Risk Section, which is mainly composed of individuals who are testifying against others. My new mission was, frankly, payback. Since the clients had put me in jail, I figured I owed their organisation a similar good deed. Would I assist in finding fugitives, and in obtaining leads? You bet I would. Converts, as you know, are the most dedicated people, and I was now firmly on the side of law enforcement, and ready to make amends the hard way.
- My opportunities for redemption soon presented themselves. On the way to the post office one Friday, I witnessed a smash & grab of a woman's pocketbook and dry cleaning. Chasing the thief into the tough part of Coconut Grove, I grabbed the clothing as he dropped it, piece by piece. He ended up under a house, until the police came with a dog, who bit him and forced him out. A good Samaritan later found the purse, so the woman recovered everything. When I was called to give a deposition by the Public Defender representing the criminal, I flat out told him that I was the "poster boy" for rehabilitation, and if his client went to trial, that my testimony would bury him. He pled guilty.
- My first real chance to undo some of my earlier actions came when some of my former clients were up for parole, and law enforcement to hear evidence of criminal activities that they had engaged in for years. These clients had threatened my life through a messenger, in the old days, and one of them had misrepresented to me that he was a Vietnam veteran. These people were not my friends, and I discussed their criminal past with a clear conscience. Call it karma for their poor treatment of me; call it retribution, but it helped keep them in prison for a long time. and it did feel good. They deserved no less.
- Working in a law firm again, doing research in civil matters, exercising my intellect, was stimulating, and it did keep me busy. But what of my future, what would I do for a career? The practice of law was only available again if I was allowed back into the profession by the Bar, meaning the bar exam again, and probably years of futile applications. What next? I was soon to find out.
Next week: Opportunity knocks.
The facts and opinions stated in this article are those of the author and not those of World-Check. World-Check does not warrant the accuracy of any facts and opinions stated in this article, does not endorse them, and accepts no responsibility for them.
Read more in this exciting series
8 March 2010
8 February 2010
24 January 2010
6 December 2009
27 September 2009
9 August 2009
3 August 2009
30 March 2009
9 March 2009
2 March 2009
22 February 2009
18 February 2009
26 January 2009
18 January 2009
11 January 2009
5 January 2009
29 November 2008
24 November 2008
17 November 2008
8 November 2008
3 November 2008
27 October 2008
20 October 2008
13 October 2008
4 October 2008
28 September 2008
20 September 2008
15 September 2008
15 June 2008
8 June 2008
1 June 2008
26 May 2008
19 May 2008
12 May 2008
4 May 2008
27 April 2008
20 April 2008
13 April 2008
31 March 2008
18 March 2008
4 March 2008
25 February 2008
16 February 2008
10 February 2008
3 February 2008
27 January 2008
20 January 2008
14 January 2008
6 January 2008
16 December 2007
9 December 2007
1 December 2007
25 November 2007
18 November 2007
11 November 2007
3 November 2007
27 October 2007
21 October 2007
14 October 2007
7 October 2007
1 October 2007
23 September 2007
16 September 2007
3 June 2007
27 May 2007
21 May 2007
6 May 2007
30 April 2007
22 April 2007
15 April 2007
8 April 2007
2 April 2007
24 March 2007
19 March 2007
12 March 2007
5 March 2007
25 February 2007
19 February 2007
12 February 2007
4 February 2007
28 January 2007
22 January 2007
15 January 2007
7 January 2007
2 January 2007
16 December 2006
10 December 2006
3 December 2006
27 November 2006
19 November 2006
11 November 2006
5 November 2006
29 October 2006
22 October 2006
16 October 2006
9 October 2006
2 October 2006
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