Setting the Record Straight on the Alabama Cease and Desist Order

In 2016, I was approached with an opportunity to invest in a company based in Alabama. At first glance, it looked like a typical turnaround project—one that needed restructuring and new leadership to become viable. But as I began conducting due diligence, what I found quickly raised serious concerns.

I uncovered several unethical and potentially fraudulent activities involving the owner of the company and individuals within the local county administration. One particularly egregious example involved the acquisition of a building in the industrial park valued at $3.5 million. The owner—through connections in county government—was able to purchase the property for just $1. He then borrowed against the building and used those funds not to grow the business, but to buy rental houses for personal profit.

As I continued to investigate, I discovered that relatives of county officials held shares in the company—a clear conflict of interest. Given the layers of corruption and the potential legal exposure, I decided to withdraw my investment before any money was transferred.

Shortly after I pulled out, the owner and his political allies retaliated by filing a complaint against me with the State of Alabama. The result was a cease and desist letter—essentially a bureaucratic warning not to conduct business in the state. No formal charges were filed. No investigation was conducted into the wrongdoing I had uncovered. It was a political maneuver—an attempt to tarnish my name after I refused to play along.

To this day, the cease and desist notice shows up in online searches, creating a misleading impression. Let me be clear: I was never charged, fined, or found guilty of any wrongdoing. The only thing I did was uncover abuse of taxpayer resources and walk away.

Sadly, nothing was ever done about the fraudulent activity perpetrated by those individuals. The misuse of public assets went unpunished. But I remain proud of my decision to act with integrity and refuse to be part of it.

Sometimes doing the right thing comes at a cost—but I’ll always choose ethics over easy money.