A Doctor’s Challenge From Pekin Federal Camp Outcome of the Trial
PERSPECTIVE
From One Chiropractor's Perspective Part III
Dr. Anthony Calandro
November 8, 2012. Waiting for the outcome of the jury was probably one of the worst emotional times of my life. The wait seemed like forever, but within four hours, they had come to a decision. We were then called back to the courtroom and handed the jury’s decision.
As we waited, my mind was somewhat relived that this was all over and we had won a victory, but when I heard the jury representative say “guilty,” my heart dropped. I knew the worst was now just ahead of my family and me. My family, practice, helping patients, and everything I had worked for was going to be taken away by the government. I broke down in tears as I heard my family in the background crying with love. I just could not believe it. My attorney told me that I would receive a surrender bond to be with my family and to continue to practice and organize for the future. We now had to wait for a sentencing date.
^The wait seemed like forever, but within four hours, they had come to a decision.
The few days after the verdict were spent preparing what we would call a “presentence report” with a government official. I had to list all of my financial information subject to be taken by the government to pay back the required restitution. It took two separate meetings to accumulate all of the information. In the meantime, my attorney informed me the sentencing date was set for April 23, 2013. We had approximately four months until we would appear before the judge to learn my
fate, which could be probation or time in a camp. With my background and character, I thought that probation would be the result. I would soon find out another story.
“I was handcuffed and escorted immediately to the federal government’s holding chambers, and then I was transferred to the Ste. Genevieve County Jail to begin my sentence. 5 5
I was bonded and free until April 23, and I was able to practice and be with my family as usual. My last day of practice was February 28, at which time my license was up for renewal. My attorney did recommend I let it expire and surrender as a positive note in order to be able to reapply in the future.
I did send the application to the board for reinstatement.
On the morning of April 9, at 10:13 a.m., just 14 days before my sentencing date, FBI agents approached my home and demanded my business vehicle as a means of restitution payback. They continued to evaluate the means of assets I had listed earlier that were related to the practice or me personally to possibly acquire. It was again an emotional time as I watched the FBI agents drive away in the vehicle and there was nothing I could do about it. I called my attorney immediately, and informed him of what had just happened, and all he could do was just document the situation.
At that point, during meeting after meeting with my attorney, we discussed my future by going over the reports with several objections as to what they had put together in order to reduce any sentencing for the judge. The amount of legal expense at this point took a lifetime of my savings. It also made my stress and anxiety level very high, especially not knowing what I was in for.
Sentencing Day
The night before the sentencing was extremely emotional. I did not get one hour of sleep that night, but knowing myself and my character was actually one thing that calmed me. We headed to the federal building that morning at 9:00 a.m. to receive my expected recourse for the trial verdict.
I learned from my attorney on that same day that my former employee received her sentencing as a plea agreement for testifying for the government. She received the same exact indictment charges and was given five years probation with
restitution. It gave me hope that I could receive the same.
Many family members, friends, and patients all crowded into the courtroom and around the doorway of the courtroom. The other side had few people in the seating area, and most were represented by the insurance company, the consultant, and members of the media. My former employee was not present, but her attorney was.
I was able to express my thoughts to the judge, and he mentioned he had read all of the supporting letters that came to his office. He then read the charges and came to the sentence. My heart was racing and just about stopped when he mentioned I was sentenced to 72 months in a correctional white-collar federal prison camp close to St. Louis, Missouri. For a doctor who had provided 32 years of service to patients, fought to protect his profession’s rights, and also gave his time to serve on professional boards, it was not right, but it was the reality.
My attorney had assured me that I would be able to remain bonded for approximately two months to organize my family’s affairs, and then I could surrender to the camp. Unfortunately, that was not what happened. I was handcuffed and escorted immediately to the federal government’s holding chambers, and then I was transferred to the Ste. Genevieve County Jail to begin my sentence. After four weeks there, I was finally transferred to the Marion and Pekin, Illinois Federal Prison Camps, where I decided to write about this experience in order to help doctors realize that it can happen to anyone.
After serving approximately two and a half years at the Marion camp in Illinois, I was interviewed and approved with my education and professional background to attend and teach a 40-week program of education. By accepting this educational program, I was able to reduce my time at the camp, which was a blessing to my family and me. I was then transferred to the Pekin, Illinois camp to complete these classes and continue to write this article during my last few weeks. I was assigned by the education department to teach men's health at the camp.
In the presentations that I have been asked to give at major conventions, compliance companies, and other professional organizations, I will go into detail about my experience and how I adapted to endure the time served. The presentations will also cover how my family withstood my absence and what we did to get through it all. It is a very moving experience, and I am proud to say that with a strong mind, courage, and love, we got through it.
Dr Anthony Calandro, DC, has practiced 32 Years in St Louis Mo. He is an author, a motivator, and has sensed on many boards in the community. He nows shares his emotional life experience to help other professionals. He has been scheduled to speak to many major conventions, state associations and compliance companies. Please contact "Share Success Sessions " at 314583-8910 or E-Mail [email protected] for speaking engagements or information.
