Having been a victim of these men, Ward should have received the full sentence of 8 years and 1 month not the middle of the road decision. If Ward was so upstanding, why was his licence to sell real estate revoked by the state in 2005. This is not the first time he has been involved in illegal activities.

Asset forfeiture for the purpose of restitution seems in order here, as well as maximum prison time.

Having know Jim Ward since I was a small boy, I can say that he has shown me copious amounts of kindness and generosity. He was good to me. And not having a father figure in my life, he made a point to stop over and visit me, taking me to football games and allowing me to meet various Stanford athletes and spending quality time with me. My grandfather was also one of Jim's very first clients, and Jim never welched on an investment or promise he made.

Perhaps over time, Jim lost his moral compass and greed or fear of failure took over and changed the once caring, compassionate person whom I grew up respecting and admiring. I hope he's learned his lesson and can still have some quality time with his family and children after this nightmare is over.

For a second there you made him sound like that coach from Penn State!