My name is Stephen Andrews and I am from South Louisiana. Born and raised there by my single mother. She instilled the importance of hard work and integrity. She worked several jobs at a time to try to make ends meet. As a teenager, I started working to help with the bills at the house. I went to college for civil engineering but didn’t finish as I had the opportunity to move up in a company. I put my head down and worked hard to move up and become a district manager. I then had an opportunity to change careers in medical sales. I used my experience and the traits my mother taught me to become successful in that industry. I moved to Northwest Arkansas and several years later I became the CEO of a medical company. I have done several things since then, one of which is to own my own company. I continue to work for that company to this day.
My Crime:
I’m deeply embarrassed that I allowed myself to get caught up in this situation. I’ve made mistakes in my life and am far from perfect. Yet, my failure to prevent what occurred under my watch at CCI is the greatest regret of my life.
Acting as billing agents for healthcare providers, we at CCI assisted physicians who were treating patients who used workers’ compensation insurance. Being raised in Lake Charles, I was no stranger to manual labor and knew people who had been injured on the job. Our company was mission-driven, and I took pride in helping people through challenging times.
When I learned that two of our physicians needed to acquire their state licenses for medication distribution, I had an obligation to address their legal status. Instead of remedying the problem, I chose to continue operations. This was wrong, and the fault is entirely mine. Because I failed to conduct my business lawfully, I pleaded guilty, began contributing to my debts, and surrendered to federal prison. These are only the first steps in a long journey of atonement.
Through this process, I have learned more about how my actions harmed my community. My errors have also harmed the family I sought to protect. When I learned that the government had launched an investigation, I agreed to do everything within my power to make things right. I responded to questions, accepted responsibility, and agreed to plead guilty.
Making Amends:
I remain deeply disappointed in myself for the way that I behaved in this instance. Up until the day that I learned of the investigation, I considered myself a good, law-abiding citizen. Yet now, I realize how I failed my community, my country, and my family.
I want to make things right.
Toward that end, I spent a lot of time working to prepare before sentencing. I had never been in trouble with the law before, and I wanted to understand the goals of our judicial system. With time to plan, I studied websites that belong to the Department of Justice and the U.S. Courts. That research led me to learn the purpose of sentencing.
Federal judges impose sentences that should:
- Deter other people from committing crimes,
- Punish people for committing crimes,
- Isolate people while they serve sentences, and
4. Rehabilitate people who commit crimes.
As a defendant, I did not have any way of influencing deterrence, punishment, or isolation. Those goals would serve the interest of justice, but my judge would impose the term that would accomplish such goals.
When it came to rehabilitation, however, I had to think. I had to consider how that fourth goal of sentencing applied to me as a 50-year-old father of two.
Then, I realized that “rehabilitation” isn’t only about me or restoring financial loss. It’s about the entire system, the entire country. My judge sentenced me to serve 32 months. To reconcile with society, I would have to make the most of that term. Doing so would require me to find ways to live with meaning, relevance, and usefulness.
The charge against me read: United States of America v. Stephen Andrews. For that reason, I feel a duty to make amends to every citizen in this country. While awaiting my surrender, I devised a plan to reconcile and atone. During my term, I intend to work toward that end, and I will continue living in service upon release.
Earlier, I wrote about growing up in the church. Religion has come to occupy an even larger role in my life since becoming a husband to Christine and a father to Chloe and Stone. Over the years, our family has become deeply involved in our church, Fellowship. My wife and I occasionally lead the “Discovery Class,” which serves to welcome new members to our faith community, and we’ve benefited from similar courses.
In explaining God’s love to new congregants, I often draw on the parable of the Unmerciful Slave (Matthew 18:23-35). This story illustrates the concept of forgiveness through a king who forgave the debts of a servant, only to watch him try to collect a debt from someone who owed him. The king grew angry that this servant failed to find forgiveness in his heart despite receiving mercy.
As my case progressed through the courts, I found myself frustrated at the situation I found myself in. I put my trust in the wrong person, which led me to offend. But the resentment I felt at myself for allowing these events to occur only serves to hurt me and those I love.
As a follower of Christ, I have received grace, just as the servant in the parable. Living my faith requires me to let go of the negative emotions holding me back from making amends for my crime. This mindset has allowed me to embrace the punishment of the court and dedicate myself to growing through this experience.
My children, as well as my victims, deserve to see me emerge from prison as an improved man. I will use this period as a time of growth and reconciliation. Taking accountability for my mistakes allows me to instill valuable lessons in Chloe and Stone. It also will allow me to take steps to prevent me from being away from them ever again.
My journey through the courts and incarceration will allow me to pass these lessons on to others in my community, as well. I plan to share my experiences with those at my church to help them learn, grow, and avoid criminal behavior. Following my release, my goal is to help others and return to being an asset to my community.
I have begun working toward this goal through my participation in Alcoholics Anonymous and my local food bank, the Samaritan House. Contributing to the well-being of those around me, both through my continued sobriety and through charitable works, helps me structure my life. I intend to continue this practice while incarcerated, serving however is most appropriate. I aspire to help others on their journey to sobriety, both through program participation and informal mentoring.
When I look back on this chapter in my story, I want it to end with reconciliation and peace. I want to be an example of how to learn from mistakes and help others. I want to serve as a role model for handling painful moments with humility and grace. I look forward to sharing my story to help other people avoid my terrible mistakes.
While incarcerated, with approval from my Unit Team, I hope to accomplish the following tasks:
- Learn more about business law so that I can be a better steward of companies in the future.
- Volunteer in ways that staff members recommend.
- Develop effective coping strategies to manage my drinking through RDAP.
- Journal about my progress and share those writings with our community.
- Read books that will help me become more aware of the influences that led me to this problem.
- Engage in programming to advance my knowledge of finances.
- Reflect on what I learned from reading, and then I will apply those lessons to volunteer work that I intend to complete upon my release.
I hope my Unit Team will support the personal release plan that I put into place and consider me a good candidate for maximum placement on home confinement for the reasons expressed below.
Stephen Andrews
