In a bid to secure an early end to his probation, James Merrill claims he

regret[s] with all my heart ever being associated with the former business partners, business and entire situation that led to my incarceration.

Merrill’s letter to the court also provides additional context to his post-sentencing life.

TelexFree was a MLM Ponzi scheme that collapsed in early 2014.

In their capacity as co-founders of TelexFree, Carlos Wanzeler and James Merrill (right) were indicted in July 2014.

Merrill was sentenced to six years in 2017. Wanzeler remains a wanted fugitive pending extradition from Brazil.

As per Merrill’s letter to the court, filed on January 26th, 2023;

I was released to home confinement on May 12, 2021.

I remained on home confinement on an ankle bracelet until January 14, 2022.

I was released from home confinement four months early based on the earned time credits I accumulated while incarcerated and due to [a BOP delay].

I presently have just under 2 years left on my probation.

I no longer with so be a burden on society, and I regret with all my heart ever being associated with the former business partners, business and entire situation that led to my incarceration.

My life prior to this case was without incident and you can be assured that for the rest of my life will be without incident as well [sic].

I respectfully request your consideration to release me from probation.

The DOJ opposed Merrill’s request in a May 24th response.

The government submits that the fraud scheme for which the defendant was convicted stemmed from his operation of a massive pyramid scheme that affected more than a million victims worldwide, resulting in approximately one billion in losses.

Given the breadth of the fraud, the government objects to early termination of supervised release.

The court denied Merrill early release from probation on June 20th.

Perhaps of greater interest than Merrill’s request is the insight he provides into life after MLM Ponzi fraud.

Following TelexFree and his stint at prison, Merrill has gained employment and, at least as far as I can see, genuinely wants to put his time as an MLM Ponzi kingpin behind him.

Unfortunately, as Merrill is finding out, it’s not that simple.

There continues to be a lot of making up to do, especially with my family who continues to suffer financially and emotionally.

Money is likely the only concern of perpetrators of financial fraud during the act. But while criminals may be fine with setting their moral compasses aside, even if only for a moment, their friends and family might not be.

The residual damage to personal relationships as a result of financial fraud could very well last a lifetime. Long after the money has dried up or been seized.