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Ben Stein's Diary
A Friend Is Sentenced to Jail
Not a very happy birthday for your Diarist.
Monday
Alex and I are in Scottsdale,
Arizona, one of our favorite places on this earth, for a dreary,
horrible errand. One of the finest people I have ever known is
about to go to prison for doing something foolish but by no means
malicious. Basically, this man, whom I will call simply “B”, was in
a small business that had done fairly well for many years and even
decades.
Because of various business trends, he found it difficult to borrow money from banks for his business.
So, he borrowed money from private lenders at spectacularly high interest rates. He definitely did not adequately warn the lenders of the risks involved in the loans. Still, he would probably have been able to repay them if these were better times. But the economy crashed and burned and he could not pay back the loans.
One or two (or maybe more) of the lenders raised a huge ruckus about the loans and — to make a long horror story short — managed to persuade the state of Arizona to prosecute my friend for alleged fraud and many other improprieties.
Once the state was on the case, the result was bound to be terrible for B. He had no money to speak of, had always lived modestly, and defending a complex white-collar case against the government is wildly expensive. He had fine lawyers, but he could not afford long, complex litigation. By then, his business was virtually nil and he could only hope for the best possible plea bargain versus the state of Arizona.
My view of the case has always been that B basically did the same as millions of homeowners — borrowed money that he could not repay because of factors beyond his control. In no sense did he ever intend to fail to repay the loans: economic conditions made repayment impossible.
If B is guilty of a crime, so are millions of homeowners who could not pay their mortgages. So it seems to me. I very respectfully put that suggestion to the prosecutors, who brushed it off. I am sure they meant to do the best they possibly could for the state of Arizona and they are competent professionals. But B is not a criminal if by criminal one means someone who intended harm. That much is clear to me.
Anyway, it’s all over now, baby blue. B is going to appear in court tomorrow morning. Alex and I are here to show the flag. Tonight, we took him to dinner at a fine restaurant at the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess, a beautiful hotel.
We talked about what prison will be like (awful), how we can send him letters in prison (complicated), how we can talk to him in prison (much more complicated), and the kind of work he can do when he gets out. We reminisced about autres temps, autres moeurs, often at the much missed Morton’s. We talked about topics for books he can write when he is a free man again. He is a superb writer.
I felt wave after wave of panic wash over me as we ate. In my long life, I have known thousands of men and women. I have known maybe a hundred of them well. I have never met a kinder, more empathetic, generous spirited, patient, loving man than B. He is brilliantly insightful, never judgmental, always a fount of sympathy.
In a world of hardened, hidden personalities, B is open, giving, vulnerable. No one I have ever talked to, not even my stupendous super shrink, Paul, nor my ultra-thoughtful and wonderful Phil DeMuth, nor even the miraculous Al and Sally Burton, has ever been more encouraging and life affirming. He may well be even close to the ideal human — my wife — in kindness.
For the government to send this man to prison is, as they say, to kill a mockingbird.
Not to mention, B owes a great deal of money to his lenders. If he were put on probation, he might be able to repay at least some of it. But working making license plates or whatever he will do, at 15 cents per hour, then emerging with a prison record — well, repayment will be a tough row to hoe.
So, with heavy heart, we ate our meals, bid B good night, and then went back to our rooms. I can only pray that someone, somehow, sees the manifest nonsense and cruelty of sending B to prison and lets him out early. This man is a saint. I will miss him terribly. He will suffer terribly. The lenders will not get any money back. Where is the sense in this? Isn’t recompense better than revenge?
Meanwhile, back in my room, I watched the TV news about the war between Hamas (really Iran) and Israel. One of the beaux cadeaux of “Arab Spring” — Egypt, which once helped keep the peace, is now looking the other way as Iran sends heavy missiles to the Hamas and starts a war. What an idiotic idea it was for us to throw Mubarak under the bus. Typical. We did it to the Shah, too. The results might literally end the world.
About the Author
Ben Stein is a writer, actor, economist, and lawyer living in Beverly Hills and Malibu. He writes “Ben Stein’s Diary” for every issue of The American Spectator.
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Appleby| 11.26.12 @ 7:13AM
Why didn't you give him the money to pay off the loan sharks?
JP| 11.26.12 @ 8:53AM
Probably because his friend B owed more than Ben could pay back. Ben may be wealthy, but I bet he isn't very liquid. To get the state AG after you the sums had to be in the millions (and don't forget about the interest).
This episode reminds so much of how Dickens portrayed the legal profession in his novels (read Bleak House). And in those days England had debtor prisons.
Jacob McCandles| 11.26.12 @ 9:03AM
This reminds me of the Bernie Madoff episode. Not that this fellow is anything like Madoff, but how if you separate certain wealthy people from some of their money, they will go to any length to avenge the loss of their precious dollar bills. Madoff got a bunch of life sentences, as I recall, meanwhile rapists and murderers do less time. It's only money right?
TLP| 11.26.12 @ 9:15AM
Really? In the Millions?
My Stepfather once had a Lien put on his House for owing 5 CENTS.
Apparently, you're not from this Country.
I bet you think that - IN AMERICA - You cannot Lose Your House because the Government (Local, State, or Federal) has decided that they want someone else to have your Land, because they would get More Tax Revenue from HIM, so FCK YOU.
Grow up, pal.
This is AMERIKA now.
And you ain't seen Nothing, yet.
Kitty | 11.26.12 @ 11:27AM
This reminds me of a comedian who once said that you never really own your own home. The audience thought it was a set-up to a joke and laughed, so he said, I'm serious. Quit paying your property taxes and they'll take your home away from you.
Occam's Tool| 11.26.12 @ 2:02PM
Yes, Ben. LAWYERS AND JUDGES ARE VERMIN, BEN. Very few deserve anything but a boot in the face.
J.C.Eaton| 11.26.12 @ 3:12PM
Ah, Occam, good to see you up and about again. Had a near death experience a couple months ago and life was preserved by your fine brothers at Mayo. I trust, hope in fact that doesn't vex you too greatly.On your say-so, I purchased O"Reilly's two assassination books. Will be curling up with the Lincoln one momentarily. Be well, and above all ,be temperate.Best,
Occam's Tool| 11.26.12 @ 5:54PM
JC---You, sir, are an exception to all things legal. I am glad that they saved your life, sir. G-d Bless.
Note the "very few" comment.
Mayo does superb work. they truly do. They are also a CATHOLIC institution of the type that Obama is attacking.
TLP| 11.26.12 @ 9:17AM
I bet you think that an A.G. and his Boss - The President of the United States - would NEVER Run Guns to Mexican Drug Cartels.
Right?
RIGHT?
Occam's Tool| 11.26.12 @ 2:10PM
JP: EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS AND FRAUD.
Alan Brooks | 11.26.12 @ 6:00PM
"Scottsdale, Arizona, one of our favorite places on this earth"
If God made a better place, She kept it to herself.
Alan Brooks | 11.26.12 @ 6:12PM
BTW, Ben is revealed as a good raconteur (sic?), it is his most interesting, readable piece.
Zeppo| 11.26.12 @ 11:37AM
I guess that $8 million is a bit much even for Ben.
Occam's Tool| 11.26.12 @ 2:07PM
Yup. 8 Million Dollars. for B. Thanks, Zeppo. He promised services he did not do, then took money for it.
Ben is an excellent advocate. I wonder what those people who shelled out the money and received NOTHING for it are feeling. Ben no answer.
PolishKnight| 11.26.12 @ 3:44PM
Is that really it? Wow! I read the charges.
Zeppo| 11.26.12 @ 4:59PM
See also http://www.betterworldbooks.co.....12397.aspx
Occam's Tool| 11.26.12 @ 6:08PM
Ben also thinks you can time the market. This accounts for his fabulous finances and lack of downsizing.
I get tired of assholes defending assholes. I also don't care for Scottsdale, Arizona. I prefer Fargo, North Dakota. Yes, I've been in both places. There are Libtards in Fargo, but fewer.
Jack in Wi| 11.26.12 @ 2:24PM
Hamas and Hizballah were helped along in the beginning by the Mossad to balance the more secular Palistinian opposition to Israel, How did that work out for you?. Israel was founded and still is run by racists and terrorists. Israel could of had peace decades ago if it wasn't so racist and greedy. It wasn't satisfied with 78% of the land in historic Palistine. It wants it all and a good part of Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and Egypt. The Israeli's kill people at will and then object when there is resistence. There are 2 million people in the Gaza concentration camp being treated like vermim. Israel started this present conflict by killing a 13 year old boy playing soccer in his yard. The Israeli's killed about 100 Palistinians to every to every Israeli, mostly women, children and old people. The whole world, hates Israel because it has earned that hate with it's apartheid policies.
Occam's Tool| 11.26.12 @ 5:59PM
Jack, Jack: "Its apartheid policies." "It's" is "it is." "Its" is the possessive. "The whole world hates..." no comma. "Israel could have had peace decades ago..." no "of." "Palestine," not "Palistine."
You are so illiterate that it is painful to read your gibberings for that reason alone.
Israel wants portions of Iraq? When? Israel gave back the Sinai for a peace treaty that Egypt is trying to break. As for the disparity in casualties, well, yes, that's how you win wars, Jack. You being a pee in your pants cowardly scumbag wouldn't understand that.
And the Israelis target terrorists.
Jack in Wi| 11.26.12 @ 10:54PM
Occam you don't dispute any of my facts. How can you? They are the complete truth. Why don't you go back to your fantasy world of genocide and mass murder of millions of Muslims. You and Bibby Nutanyahoo have a lot in common. Peace is the answer. End the terror. End the hate Integrate the Israeli state. Equal rights for all in a united and democratic Israel Palistine. It is the only answer. Shalom
Occam's Tool| 11.27.12 @ 4:36PM
OK, facts: 78% of Israeli Arabs polled would rather live in Israel than under their fellow Arabs, Why is that, Jack?
Your illiteracy reflects your idiocy.
Occam's Tool| 11.27.12 @ 4:55PM
Sorry, Jack, only 70%:
"Israeli Arabs Prefer Living in Israel: Poll
•Israeli Arabs appreciate freedoms
•State guarantees equal treatment under law
Washington, June 8- Israeli Arabs by a wide margin would rather live in Israel than anywhere else, including a future Palestinian state, a new poll by the University of Haifa has shown.
The poll shows a large majority, 68 percent, prefer Israel, while around 57 percent accept Saturday as the official day of rest and Hebrew as the national language. The poll’s director, University of Haifa professor Sammy Smooha, said most Arab Israelis weren’t “patriots” but appreciated the benefits of living in Israel.
“What we found was that they said that Israel was a good place to live in. They have benefits in Israel. They have the rule of law. They have democracy. They have a modern way of life. And all this they appreciate and this is their pragmatism,” Smooha, told The Media Line.
Israeli Arabs make up 20 percent of Israel's population, and Israeli law guarantees Arab citizens the same civic, economic, and legal rights as Jewish citizens. At present, Arabs hold 11 seats in the Knesset, which has 120 members, and the community is active in all sectors of Israeli life. Salim Joubran, a Christian Arab from Haifa, serves as a justice on the Israeli Supreme Court.
PolishKnight| 11.27.12 @ 10:44AM
Occam, I was having a coffee room (literally) conversation with a co-worker recently that turned ugly when someone said that Obama hadn't tried to take away guns. I pointed out Fast and Furious, and it went downhill from there.
I love amspec because we can discuss politics here but even here, some subjects are taboo which is a shame because when a subject is taboo, then the discussion continues in the background where you can't address it. In addition, the very act of making a topic taboo makes it exciting (dangerous) and simultaneously suspicious. I've pointed out that out here before, but I'm going somewhere further with this.
Conservatives have failed to address the taboo topic of racial and gender preferences in the USA and basically let the left have their way and buy votes for their constituencies at the expense of the right's. It's insane. It's like signing a peace treaty written by your opponent.
On the opposite side, in regards to the Israel issue, the taboo has been useful but up to a point. At some point, they lost control of the back-end conversation. Many in the leftist party side against Israel. I've spoken with many of them. I'm not terribly surprised: The party of working class whites for FDR threw my father under the bus. Leftism is a bigger religion than Judaism or it's derivatives. It's a bigger philosophy even than Marxism which few Democrat voters have ever bothered to read!
Fascinating, don't you think?
TSIndiana| 12.1.12 @ 8:16AM
Like finding the Protocols have a lot more truth in them than any Jew would like to know about.
Occam's Tool| 12.4.12 @ 7:28PM
Really, like what, dickfor?
Cpm| 11.26.12 @ 6:33PM
Nice(?) to see Jack is back in full flower.
Alan Brooks | 11.26.12 @ 6:17PM
PPS,
"This is AMERIKA now."
C'mon, TLP, it has always been a mess, even in 1776, and 1492, 1066... and they were saying the same thing then.
Pecos Pete| 11.26.12 @ 7:55AM
Life is unfair. Many millions of American citizens are about to experience a disaster of epic proportions with ObamaCare and the soon to be experienced fiscal cliff. Mr. B borrowed money he couldn't repay. Just like Congress has been doing for several decades. While most of us will not be going to jail, we will be undeservedly served a disaster.
Dodd2| 11.26.12 @ 7:58AM
"If B is guilty of a crime, so are millions of homeowners who could not pay their mortgages."
Perhaps so Ben, but those freeloaders with their bull-s**t mortgages had the numbers (votes) to insulate them from their stupidity & greed and have the cost of their folly passed on to you and me (the taxpayer).
Ain't America wonderful?.
TSIndiana| 12.1.12 @ 8:22AM
Your comparing an 8 million dollar swindle to a person who bought a house and then lost their job. Funny how Stein didn't even mention the amount. That seems the Stein way...omit when it does not support your rabid hate and racism.
Will| 11.26.12 @ 8:07AM
Ben clearly hasn't noticed the immense split between Hamas and Iran over the Syrian Civil War, with Hamas supporting the rebels against Iran's puppet in Damascus. He also hasn't noticed that Egypt brokered the ceasefire, thus playing a very important role in "keeping the peace"! Or that Morsi and the Iranians had an epic falling-out at the NAM conference in Tehran a few months ago, also over Syria.
I know that it is hard for TAS to accept that 1) Just because Hamas and Iran are bastards doesn't mean that they are best friends, and 2) Morsi is an Islamist, but Islamism is a very broad church, encompassing everybody from Bin Laden to Erdogan, so it doesn't follow that he wants to destroy Israel, and 3) The MBs popularity is largely due to Mubarak's repression, supported wholeheartedly by the West.
Jacob McCandles| 11.26.12 @ 10:18AM
Repression? Since when were Muslim people ever NOT repressed? The entire f----- religion is built upon suppressing the freedom of the individual.
gene| 11.26.12 @ 12:54PM
People ignore logic. If Hamas and all the rest put down their weapons, there would be peace in the Middle East. If Israel puts down her weapons, she would be wiped out to the last child and infant.
TLP| 11.26.12 @ 4:11PM
Islam means - SUBMIT.
Nuff said.
Occam's Tool| 11.26.12 @ 2:08PM
Will: Morsi wants to see Israel destroyed. No doubt.
That the various Islamists hate each other? That is not news.
Hardcard| 11.26.12 @ 8:07AM
bernie madoff was loved and respected when he was paying out millions to his investors and then the poopoo hit the windmill. I wonder bennie if you were one of your bud B's marks would he be a saint? Take a nap now!!!
John786| 11.26.12 @ 8:26AM
Mr Stein as usual manges to massage in Muslim and Palestinian hatred into his article. It is the dispossession of the Palestinian which is the root cause of all the instability. Dispossession that is going on today and will go on tomorrow. As the two solution comes to an end so does Israel future as a Zionist republic. The two are very closely correlated.
JP| 11.26.12 @ 8:56AM
Dispossession? Isreal gave the Palestinians Gaza (which the Palestinians demanded). And what did the Palestinians do? They elected Hamas to run their country.
BTW, most Palestinians can trace their roots either to Egypt or Jordan.
ebonystone| 11.27.12 @ 10:47PM
"most Palestinians can trace their roots either to Egypt or Jordan."
A lot of them can trace their roots to the Balkans. As Christian regimes re-conquered these areas from the Turks in the late 19th c., the Turks resettled many of the area's Moslems in what is now Israel.
Jacob McCandles| 11.26.12 @ 10:21AM
So what?! Maybe Mr. Stein has no use for Muslims or Palestinians. If that's how he feels, so be it.
TSIndiana| 12.1.12 @ 8:27AM
Yes, one is treated to bias and hate by Mr. Stein about any time they read his rag.
CJW| 11.26.12 @ 10:22AM
By "instability" do you meant all the terrorist attacks by the muslims/arabs since the Palestinian Sirhan Sirhan murdered Bobby Kennedy? Such as , but not limited to, the Achile Lauro, the Pan Am Lockerbie, the Rome Airport, the Berlin disco, the 1972 Olympics slaughter of the Israeli athletes, 1993 WTC, Khobar, Kenya embassy, Sept 11, 2001, Sept 11, 2012, and so on?
Are all these caused by the dispossession of the Palestinian?
If Egypt, Syria, Iran, Jordan, and the rest are so concerned about three or four million Palestinians, why have not any of these countries offered to take in some of the Palestinians?
Jordan not only refused to take any in but expelled all of them.
gene| 11.26.12 @ 12:58PM
Dispossession? The PLO was in existence BEFORE the 67 war. They already HAD the Gaza, West Bank etc before this. This is not about a separate state. This is about the fact that the Palestinians want to completely annihilate Israel. It is in their CHARTER!
gene| 11.26.12 @ 1:02PM
BTW. The VAST majority of the land set aside for Palestine? It was taken and annexed by JORDAN. I do not see these people invading, sending rockets, or terrorists to Jordan. Not a single bullet is being fired in that direction. This is not about a separate State for the PLO or dispossession. It is about them wanting to destroy Israel and all of the Jews.
Stormzeye| 11.26.12 @ 2:04PM
When the Arabs lay down their weapons there will be peace. When the Israelis lay down their weapons that will be the end of Israel.
Occam's Tool| 11.26.12 @ 6:01PM
Yes, I assume Israel will just die without expending its nukes. Lots of luck, John786 and jack in Wi. (Funny, "John" and "Jack" are really the same name. "Jack" Kennedy. Both illiterate, both scumbags, one and the same, maybe?)
TSIndiana| 12.1.12 @ 8:31AM
You may dominate this site with your racist friends...but your the scumbag.
Occam's Tool| 12.4.12 @ 7:29PM
TS: Jews will live to piss on your grave, KKK boy.
And it's "you're." Contraction of You Are. Hoosier Dumbass.
Bob Grant| 11.26.12 @ 9:02AM
To be honest, my interest in his diary entry today fell right off a cliff after page 2.
I simply couldn't muster enough energy to continue.
I need to know (succinctly, please) 1. How did it end for his friend and 2. Why the Pic of Piers Morgan?
On second thought, I don't care.
OP4| 11.26.12 @ 10:59AM
Anyone else see the picture and hope Piers Morgan was doing time?
HR| 11.26.12 @ 11:06AM
I don't always agree with you, Mr. Stein, but I can always sympathize with you. You seem like a very warm-hearted man. I hope you enjoyed your birthday as much as was possible.
TLP| 11.26.12 @ 4:13PM
He's an Idiot.
TCOX| 11.26.12 @ 11:32AM
As long as you are editing on the fly, you can change the "is" to "in" after LAX.
Kingofthenet| 11.26.12 @ 12:15PM
Ben, your Buddy didn't go to jail because he couldn't pay someone back a loan, he is going to jail because he LIED to his business partners.
Stormzeye| 11.26.12 @ 2:05PM
As the obnoxious Warren Buffett has said: When the tide goes out, you can see who's been swimming without a bathing suit.
Occam's Tool| 11.27.12 @ 4:57PM
King, mark this: I agree with you.
ABIGAIL ADAMS| 11.26.12 @ 1:03PM
Very often when a friend finds him or herself in a Bad Place...Bad Things Happening To Good People, that sort of thing----their friends lead them to read the story of Job, in the Bible.
Please tell your friend, that someone out here, highly recommends reading, in Genesis, the plight of Joseph who was wounded and betrayed by those whom he should have been most able to trust.
Even so, in his prison/plight/pit Joseph found it within himself to forgive those who had done him wrong and, by doing so, found favor with God.
"Man meant it for evil but God used it for good."
Genesis 50:20
Your friend can turn this into an incredibly wonderful experience from which he will grow and emerge a far better person than he would have without this thing.
Life is but a vapor; eternity is forever.
God bless him.
I do not know him, of course, but I will be praying for "B".
AllAmericanAmerican| 11.26.12 @ 7:52PM
Comparing Joseph from the Bible, who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, to a charlatan swindler of $8,000,000 is kind of a stretch don't you think?
I'm thinking something will grow on ol' B while he's in the slammer---prolly the circumference of his heiney hole.
Kingofthenet| 11.26.12 @ 1:04PM
I blame President Obama, time was when you were buying a secondhand plane and found a set of Payne Stewart Golf Clubs( a little bent) you said WOW, what a bonus. Now with the 'Nanny State' it's like we are all wimps, No, I don't want to buy that DeathTrap, I don't want to die.
Man Up America YOLO
ron2| 11.26.12 @ 1:56PM
well ben, you have always been one of my hero's and i have been reading your material for years. I would comment your friend would only have a momentary stay in sheriff Joe's jail, that is a county jail, one year or less sentencing goes there. Your friend will most likely end up in florence at the Arizona State Prison. As much as I admire you, and I do in this case too, for being a friend, we have had a number of these investment schemes in Arizona in recent years, and i would also think of the people that lost assets because of this man.
Cobalt| 11.26.12 @ 2:06PM
Tell your friend B if Martha Stewart could reclaim her place in society, after having been incarcerated, that he should have no problem at all after he is released.
You are a good man Ben Stein, but I'm pretty sure your family and friends already know that.
TLP| 11.26.12 @ 4:15PM
He's a freakin Moron.
"We need to Raise Taxes."
MORON.
Occam's Tool| 11.26.12 @ 6:04PM
TLP: I was watching a young man with Down Syndrome on Saturday entertain a hockey game crowd (Division I) by doing a fantastic dance to "Gangnum Style." Much more entertaining than Stein's greatest performance in Bueller.
I think you are insulting the mentally retarded when you call Ben that. Wouldn't you rather spend an hour with Trig Palin than Ben Stein? I would.
But what's lower than Mentally Retarded that we can use to describe the neurosyphilitic Stein?
Jimbobogie| 11.29.12 @ 11:11PM
It seems that "Lord Black of Crossharbour" didn't fare too badly (or too long) in the "Executive Florida Pokey".
AllAmericanAmerican| 11.26.12 @ 7:49PM
Sounds like your friend screwed a bunch of people outta a bunch of money. He's probably lucky to be going to jail instead of getting a couple .45s to the ol' noggin by guys named Vito and Tony.
cdudle5| 11.26.12 @ 10:48PM
Reading Ben Stein's articles are always a pleasure, even when the subject is not a happy one. This one appealed to me because he could have been writing about my husband. He has been jailed for a month now. No conviction yet but the DA is going after him like he's Charles Manson. Every day feels like a nighmare I can't wake up from. Our 26th wedding anniversary was Thanksgiving Day. It was all I could do to sit and pray with our 8 children that day and not cry. A good man, a good husband, kind, extremely giving. His "crimes" reflected "B"s. It gave me satisfaction to read this article and see that his friends stuck with him and would continue to do so. As will ours.
Occam's Tool| 11.28.12 @ 4:33PM
Judges and attorneys are not nice people.
Shin| 11.26.12 @ 11:21PM
Someday people will finally remember that usury is morally repugnant.
And forgiving loans is good thing.
Gothicreader| 11.27.12 @ 11:10PM
And here Corzine who stole a billion is walking the streets as a free man.
You gotta love our system.
Rhoetus| 11.28.12 @ 10:43PM
it's a political system
Occam's Tool| 11.28.12 @ 4:34PM
Yes, Ben, and just think of how many you sued that WON their cases. You put them through the hell of the legal system for NO GOOD REASON.
Occam's Tool| 11.28.12 @ 4:37PM
The Karma is that Piers Morgan is currently up for Judgment in a VERY nasty Press Malfeasance court case in Britain. I hope he gets professionally and financially destroyed.
Dr. Kendall| 11.29.12 @ 11:23AM
I DO fear for our world!! Review Paul Harvey's "If I were the Devil" talk on radio back in April 1965!! That is exactly what is happening to this country now in 2012. VERY SAD COMMENTARY!!
TommyG| 11.29.12 @ 11:24AM
Ben, I love reading your articles. I will pray for "B". I don't understand why he wasn't sentenced to time already served.
Take care, Tom......