Turning Adversity into Advocacy: The Story of Guy W. Gane, Jr.
By Staff
How does someone start over after being falsely accused of a crime? This was a question we put to Guy W. Gane, Jr. recently. “You put your faith in God, and you organize a reasonable plan for your life.”
Gane, who was castigated unmercifully by the media when he was accused of fraud and money laundering in 2008, seems to have come to a place of peace after spending nine years of his life in prison. “I knew that the only way I could go forward was to forgive those who lied about me to protect themselves. And – I had done that years ago.”
It wasn’t until after the government came to his offices in Amherst, N.Y., that Gane was made aware of just what had been going on. “It turned out that three of my brokers had been misleading the investors. I found out a month later from one of my other brokers, that these three brokers had met ‘to get their stories straight’ after the search warrant was conducted. When I discovered that one of the three was my own nephew, I was crushed. The ironic part was the day after the search, I told my staff – and I remember this exactly – “We’re obviously under investigation. Each of us will be questioned. Whatever you do, tell the truth. We have nothing to hide.” Or so Gane thought. “At the end of the day I was the boss. I was in charge, and it was my responsibility as well as my responsibility to know.”
Ironically when the government accuses someone of a money crime, the words “living a lavish lifestyle” always accompanies the accusation, ones in which were said of Gane as well. “I lived in a 1,100 square foot home, drove a leased vehicle, never partied and went home after work. I never considered that a lavish lifestyle,” said Gane.
Upon his return home from prison, Gane set out to rebuild his life. Now the author of several books, an in-demand speaker and entrepreneur, he also created the organization known as Prisoncology (prisoncology.com). A mentorship program for those about to enter prison, Prisoncology is also a support group, a resource center for their families and a nationally recognized leader in prison reform.
Most people who were in prison want nothing more than to put the experience behind them. Why, we asked Gane, did he decide to organize such a tutelage and prison advocacy? “When I walked through those prison gates I was petrified,” Gane responded. “To walk in blindly as I did was not wise. I had heard all the stories – ALL of them. I was still not prepared. I knew that I would end up eventually forgetting so much of the experience so before I left, I wrote out the course. It consists of a power point presentation and a 100+ page eBook as well personally interacting with the accused and their families.
Not only had I spoken with guys who had hired (and had been misled by) prison consultants, I had also. And I had been misled as well. I strongly urge anyone, or their family, who is about to experience the unthinkable to reach out to us. Not only is our full story there, but it is packed with valuable information. Although most consultants charge upwards of $5,000 and more, our initiative is sponsored by the faith community making Prisoncology’s program free.”
Gane’s latest book “Chrysalis: Awakening to God’s Path, Protection and Power in Your Life” which was just released is already receiving exceptional reviews. Some are even comparing it to Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich.”
The ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tsu once observed “New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.” It would seem appropriate to apply that observation to Gane as well.
