NEVER ASSUME YOU KNOW YOUR ADVERSARIES’ INTENTS OR OBJECTIVES

LESSON: Remember, when battling many forces you didn’t even know existed, their objectives are likely not yours. You may think the solution to the adversity is X, but their objective may be Y. You should never assume knowledge of your adversaries’ intents or objectives. I made this mistake, repeatedly, for years.

On New Year’s Eve night, 2020, Ashleigh whispered in my ear, “We are pregnant!” I was fifty-six. My son was twenty-seven. And now I was set to start a new family with a baby girl we would name Carleigh. It was just like Joy had prophesized (see blog – Joy Talley, True Angel, True Story).

Ashleigh and I were over the moon, and I allowed myself to take a breath and thank the universe for saving me and giving us this miracle. On home confinement, I ran up and down the stairs for the exercise and took extra doses of vitamins. I had to stay strong for another twenty years! After we had decided on the name Carleigh, Ashleigh checked the meaning of the name. She started to cry and showed me the phone. It read, “Free Man.”

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With conflicting emotions, but also great relief, I withdrew all my legal proceedings to overturn the court proceedings, again. The costs of the appeal were too high. The last time I reversed it, my sentence was increased (thank you for playing!). With little Carleigh on the way, I could not risk winning, however unlikely, as I had already experienced the backlash of more charges and longer sentences.

I knew that to restore my employees, my shareholders, and my family I would need to create a large number of new miracles, but I was rested and more driven than ever. I executed my halfway house day job and worked five projects during the night and early mornings. And, as I used to say about sports, by a lot of hard work, and a great deal of fortune, we were able to create success for paying the stakeholders, taking care of the family, and building for the future.

Then, on a random Tuesday, the BOP called me at work and ordered me to return home from my defense contractor job. I could not work there anymore. The explanation was nebulous. I submitted another BOP submission for another position, and it was rejected. I submitted a janitorial position with a downtown gym, but even this was rejected.

On the thirtieth day, the BOP approved a new job instead of returning me to prison.

Based on this continuing debacle, the 55 Group, an aerospace manufacturer, offered to acquire more of my time and commitment. More providence. 55 Group proposed to the Department of Justice to pay $500,000 to my victims in return for transitioning me from home confinement to supervised release—a minor lifestyle change that allowed me to work even more for the company, my family, and my restitution recipients. The July 1, 2020, offer stated, “I write today on behalf of Mr. Martinovich to offer a payment of half a million dollars ($500,000.00) to be distributed to the individual victims pursuant to the restitution orders. The funds are in my firm trust account ready for immediate payment.” I couldn’t believe this offer of restoration for everyone.

USA Jessica Aber and AUSA Brian Samuels adamantly opposed the motions to provide this significant restoration. This incredibly rare gift was denied. Even the corporate attorneys were outraged. They could not believe the decisions to continually deny restitution and remedy. Wasn’t this the purpose of the system? Judge Wright Allen had previously stated on the record it “would take a miracle” to pay back our stakeholders, but now, even a miracle would not work.

Never think you understand the motives of your adversaries.? This truism has served me well since.

Have a great week!

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