On a beautiful snow and rain-free afternoon, we Rotarians arrived early for the 12th annual Area 3 Vocational Ethics Luncheon meeting. We were checked in by Ross Peterson and greeted by Michael Stanzak. This long awaited meeting was organized by Past District Governor, Dan Hallberg, Wayne Harmon and one committee member from each of our area clubs. Great work!
After a very pleasant social time, delicious meal and more fellowship, Eden Prairie Noon Club Rotarian and today’s Master of Ceremonies, John Crudele, gaveled the meeting to order at 12:15pm, extending a warm welcome to everyone in attendance.
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John introduced our gathering to Reverend Arthur Rouner, who delivered a powerful message about love, vision and how our young people and each of us can make the world a better place to live. Arthur next led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-Way Test. John informed us that Arthur’s 90th birthday was just days away, and he led us in the singing of a loving round of Happy Birthday to our dear friend.
John introduced members and guests to the head table, which included current presidents from the seven area clubs, i.e. Bloomington Noon, Eden Prairie Noon and Morning Clubs, Edina Morning Club, Edina Noon, Richfield and South Metro Minneapolis Evening Clubs, also including Jean Kelly, District Governor, 5950. Next, he asked the students to sound off when their school name was called. The students were from Jefferson, Kennedy, Eden Prairie and Richfield High Schools. (Edina did not have representation). John also introduced the members of the Planning Committee for this event.
The next order of business was to receive three short announcements: Sam Thompson, Edina Rotary, gave an inspiring and motivating overview of Camp Enterprise, encouraging those students present to contact a Rotarian or even go on line to learn more about how to join 100-110 other students in this very special activity! Irene Kelly, District Govenor, reminded us of the District Conference coming up May 17th and to encourage us to read the brochure on the tables pertaining to the Leadership Fellows Program, the $1,000 tuition for which is due June 1, 2019. Finally, Tom Gump encouraged fellow Rotarians to attend the Rotary International Convention scheduled for June 1st thru June 5th in Hamburg Germany.
Dan Hallberg had students participate in the meeting by having 10 students each read one of Hank Shea’s Top 10 Lessons, to-wit:
10. When faced with a right versus a wrong decision, guard against that first intentional misstep.
9. Never knowingly sign a false document.
8. Never compound or try to bury your mistakes.
7. Do not follow directions from others you believe to be improper or unethical.
6. No matter what your position in your organization, lead by example.
5. Avoid the perils of “Willful Blindness.”
4. When faced with an ethical dilemma, seek advice and counsel from others.
3. Learn to be satisfied with what you have legitimately earned—Greed is a vicious vice that
can destroy you.
2. NO ONE is above the law.
1. This top lesson consists of what he calls first principles: ABOVE ALL ELSE, AT ALL TIMES, WHEREVER YOU LIVE OR WORK, DO THREE THINGS:
A. ACT WITH INTEGRITY
B. EXHIBIT COURAGE
C. HONOR YOUR REPUTATION.
Next, MC John introduced us to our guest speaker, Jerome Mayne, whose biographical sketch reads in part as follows:
Since 2002 Jerome Mayne has been speaking on the topics of fraud and ethics for associations and Fortune 500 companies in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. For over two years his name was, Federal Inmate Number 08657-041. Before that he was the founder and CEO of two corporations, respected in the financial community and the father of two young boys. In 1999 he received a 21 month prison sentence for conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering – crimes that took place four years earlier. On November 4th, 1999 he reported to the Federal prison in Yankton, SD and his career and his life were changed forever.
He has appeared on panels, radio shows and web-casts and is a contributing columnist for many industry trade publications. He is the author of the book Diary of a White Collar Criminal and Mortgage Fraud and Predatory Lending – What Every Agent Should Know.
Jerome spoke to a banquet room that went completely silent as he opened his talk reflecting on what life was like in Federal prison, from when he would wake up in the morning, make his bed, go to breakfast, then go to an assignment-- maybe clean a stairway or a utility closet, teach drug dealers how to read, eat dinner, go to bed and count the days you have remaining on your sentence.
He indicated up until being arrested, pleading guilty and going to prison, his life had been quite normal…. at least until he received a call from a federal agent saying he was going to be arresting him for crimes that occurred four years earlier. Jerome asked what crimes, and the agent replied that he would find out after he was taken into custody. He continued describing this frightening experience.
Jerome quoted verbatim for us the rather lengthy legal definition of “fraud,” something he just never expected he would be charged with, one of seven children born and raised in a Catholic family in St. Cloud, graduating high school in 1985. He indicated that even though he was in prison, in so many ways were his parents, siblings, former wife and children… that his new reputation seemed to carry over to them as well.
Jerome shared in poignant detail his experience in learning the mortgage lending industry in California, and later as a lender with Norwest Bank, and how he was particularly successful working with small loans, eventually meeting a man by telephone he called “Milt,” who drew him down a dark path one compromise at a time, even though he sensed the unethical nature of what was happening, but never thinking it was illegal. Things just didn’t feel right, and reflecting back realizes he should never have pursued the business activities he did, essentially engaging in fraud within the lending industry, sending false information to lending underwriters about the financial status of the applicants he was working with, many as referrals from “Milt.” And accepting monetary gifts after the successful closing of some of Milt’s referrals, and sending two checks to pay two people for participating in one of his illegal activities, which resulted in the money laundering charge.
A favorable memory during this time was the support of a special woman he had met and stood by him during his court appearances and sentencing, including visiting him 325 miles away in Yankton each week for the duration of his prison time. They married and their son, Jeffrey, a student at Eden Prairie High School was introduced by Jerome to a round of applause.
MC John invited Edina Rotary President John Flynn to the podium to thank Jerome. John graciously thanked our speaker for his compelling talk, informing him that in appreciation for his time with us today a contribution would be made in his name to the Memorial Blood Center.
This special 12 annual Area 3 Vocational Ethics Luncheon Meeting concluded promptly at 1:30p.m.!
