Snitch… or Go to Prison?
I know guys on their way to prison, currently in prison, out of prison and a lot who never got caught.
Four years ago, my former boss, Raj Rajaratnam, received 11 years, which, at the time, was the longest sentence ever handed down for violating insider-trading laws. But the people serving the longest sentences are those who cooperated with the FBI.
On the streets, it’s called a snitch. Downtown, they call it an informant.
And when the FBI decides they want you, they pounce quickly. They sneak up behind you while you’re in line at Starbucks and wait until it’s your turn to order. And then, when the cashier asks you how you take your coffee, they’ll answer for you: “Two sugars and cream… Can you come with us?” It’s a common tactic used by the authorities. Personally I know four people this has happened to — two at Starbucks, one at Dunkin Donuts and one at a Subway sandwich shop. And none of them had any idea it was coming.
