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THE PRESS…THEY SO OFTEN GET IT WRONG TO MAKE A
HEADLINE
I want you to consider some facts. First every reader who has been accused of something they did not do in this life – raise your hand. Second fact related to my history – I sold my publically traded investment bankng firm in 1988 – following care giving for my famous father who passed from Cancer shortly before. We had sold the firm as a strategy to take care of HIM during this time – my role being the oldest boy of nine children in a very wealthy fifth generatin family in San Francisco. Five years after I had sold the firm in 1988 – I was indicted – ( by one of my dearest friends growing up by the way – at the time a Federal prosecutor ) – for “contempt” – the lowest Federal violation level – related t0 87,000 of unrated bonds sold by the brokerage firm half a year before. The indcitement at the Holiday time that year – so many years after the firm had been sold – was a complete surprise. We had no idea. What are your thoughts of something you completed half a decade ago? Are you thinking about it today? Me niether. I was growing CEO Space all over the world and having the time of my life in education; my father’s core business all his life. I had completed the one thing I dreaded most with my Father passing- I had become my own father. For years I built investment banking firms – staying out of my fathers educational world. By the time he had passed and I sold my investment firm – I had entered my Father’s world and business – and just expanded it – and grew to love it. 25 years later I’m still having the time of my entire life. Still, the challenge of what came next made me a Super Star, that looking back I could never have risen a reality like I know today; coaching all the famous coaches who trust the pain of the experience elevated my advice quality and soul spirit compassion of delivery for everyone. Which is the secret sauce that God had that I could not see…
The indictment did not allege that I took any money or had any way of even remotely profited from the alleged “crime” of contempt. The company books were audited and balanced to the penny. No money was missing. Or was taken. There was specifically no charge of fraud or security law violation related. Contempt is a really rare criminal charge used in say “The Monica Lewensky” case. For a public record referrence. It is rare. Attorney’s are not too experienced in how to deal with it ( I would later learn)
However look at what the press reported then look at my films on www.lsapublishing.com - leading into the movie being made MALICIOUS PROSECUTION based on my true life story. Or review other short films titled “Berny Dohrmann Transparent” or “Revealed” – both featuring some pretty famous celebrity confirmations on the truth related to all this, who were and stillare a pat of my life. These films include prosecutors law firms, stars of “The Secret”, UN Ambassadors and more. Almost 20 years ago the press reported and it remains on the net forever - It was an item we laughed at when it came out- because is was so untrue. Contempt for 87,00o dollars doesn’t requrie any jail time if you lost the case. However the prosecution used a process ( now unconstitional and illegal to employ, but back then was common practice ) – which was to enhance a sentence – known as “SENTENCE ENHANCEMENT” – so that you are sentenced for a jail time related to vioaltion guidelines having nothing to do with your charge or case. Today sentencing can only related to what evidence the jury heard ( in my case probation no jail time – which is what we THOUGHTi going in ) – and as they moderated the “sentence enhancement” the frame for the case both as to contempt and the sentence plan they had in mind – worked out great – ( for them ) – while our team got the shaft and we learned a lot. I have never learned more from a loss. I was so surprised. Anways, the press reported the case more like this: as you would expect …( not front page or anything it was a yawn in the business section back water pages ) – but it looks front page today all this time later on the net – so here is what you can click:
Ex-Marin Executive Guilty of Contempt / Bernhard Dohrmann faces 80 years
After deliberating for one hour, a San Francisco federal- court jury on Monday found former Marin County businessman Bernhard Dohrmann guilty on 16 counts of criminal contempt in connection with his defunct financial planning firm, Invest America. ( Its actually one contempt charge with 16 individuals who collectively invested in the 87,000 dollars total of unrated junk bonds from the brokerage firm I had sold – the crime related to a 1988 speech I delivered in which noting was sold at the time – but it was construted risk factor omissions resided in the speech. We thought our standard was more than enough – and we were incorrect as it came down to it ). Now the rest:
The verdict was handed down 3 1/2 years after Dohrmann was first indicted by a federal grand jury in San Francisco, and almost eight years after the criminal contempt occurred. ( early 1988 ) – or almost 30 years ago folks – keep that in mind related to your own life.
The jury this week found that Dohrmann mislead potential investors in connection with the sale of $3 million worth of Invest America bonds between late 1987 and early 1988. In doing so, Dohrmann violated a 1987 federal-court injunction prohibiting him from future securities laws violations. ( I had reported a crime and the party was arrested for fraud that effected a lot of brokerage firm – we discovered it and we reported it- they then investigated us – found we didn’t participate but made “me” sign a consent order to close the investigation. They used this as a basis to make the contempt frame criminal versus civil as part of their plan – it worked great and we now teach folks DO NOT SIGN THOSE CONSENT ORDERS and we tell them WHY ). We had no clue at the time – who would ?
SO – did I serve 80 years in jail for the crime. And what was the crime? I was held responsible as the owner of a publically traded brokerage firm – even after all the time since the firm was sold to new management ( five years before ) - and specifically for not what I knew at the time the bonds were offered (or the five law firms knew in their risk disclosure) and who signed off on the bond docs and legal compliance ( great law firms with partners who worked for the SEC ) - so I was charged as CEO for the public firm for WHAT I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN related to bond risk . Now this higher standard; a new standard as to what a CEO SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ( and applied retroactively ) has developed a fee business for me from – corporations who want to develop an OVER COMPLIANCE standard so what happened to me when my prosecutor buddy from grade school up, framed in this case – could never happen to THEM. None of my clients have ever had a problem in almost two decades – which includes firms inside the USA and outside the USA. I love helping those CEO’s to be safe from my own nightmare. I believe I have succesfully turned a negative into a positive and used my experience to help other leaders. I’m proud of my long work in this area which has helped a number of partners at leading law firms to rethink their positions from law school – given how it is really going down out in the market.
18 MONTHS NOT 80 YEARS
The press got it wrong. Big time. It was never front page news. It was never really much of a press item as it only related to ME and the amount was so small - 87,000 total dollars invovled. The new owners paid the bond after the sale. The bond was current and fully paid on interest when I sold the firm. Why was I held responsible at this level for contempt? Ah, you’ll have to see the movie for the answer.
This relatively minor issue was settled with my completing 18 months at an honor firm. This was a shock for our family and we had no idea we could possibly loose this case. I self surrendered like a gentlemen and I was released on my own after.
The Prosecution successfully argued that “this was the jury that would send a HIGHER STANDARD to the owners of global publically traded stock firms”. That cause aspect to the case in my opinion helped them versus the factual issues. Which were pretty boring.
My firm was a large firm doing business in in many countries at that time in mid 1980′s before we sold it and was public. I’ve been extremely open online and everywhere I speak about my experience, in my books and in my films ( www.lsapublishing.com features more super stars speaking about this item on the internet world wide over the years ) and we suggest one must conclude – when you go “ah ha”- our reply -”so what”. Tell the truth faster is our motto. Always the best policy.Full disclosure. Full transparency. No Secrets. My new book coming out on the celebration of 9/11 – REDEMPTION THE COOPERATION REVOLUTOIN uses my story to educate world leaders and the heads of Fortune 10,000 firms. We intend to send the book to the entire US House and Senate – the CEO’s of the top 1000 firms – 120 national leaders and administraitons ( many of whom know me well and I consider them my dear friends ) and United Nations leadership. My story is well featured in this ten year publication – as a work of world contribution and change. Competition is what bred all this – between my buddy the prosecutor and I – and cooperation would have saved the USA spending some 5 million dollars on a 87,000 dollar saddle – what a waste at so many levels. But it happens.
All the famous Super Stars in my life know my history well. Most lived through it all with me almost twenty years ago – they were there when the frame of this case happened. The UN Ambassadors that endorse CEO SPACE, the world leaders, the heads of the largest firms, the heads of hyper growth firms all know about my history and attend my business trade shows because I’m onsite – versus any other reason. My reputation and integrity is also an item the public understands. The few that don’t – have their own issues and we truly understand – given the time frame – we always find it odd – rare as that position is. Happens though. One of my great teaches; head of a firm you know well, suggested to me after – “Berny, look in the mirror and spit at those who judge you like spit in the wind, hold your head up you are improving the world and in high contribution but always remember as I’ll be gone and you’ll still hear my words….the son of a bitch NEVER ever DIES – it never dies ). Although he has passed – his words ring so true. I know you have your own version of the experience at some scale in your own life. We all do.
The public understands that if a technical crime issue took place in my case - and the prosecution was highly personal in nature – and I didn’t commit nor was I charged with fraud – nor did I take any money or benefit in any way – and the “indictment” was framed for only 87,000 dollars of unrated bond issues related to undefined risk ommissions – five long years after the firm was sold – where the indictment was issued at the last hour before it could not be issued – YOU – get it ( every one gets it as the facts are presented ) -and even if you don’t watch the movie trailor malicious prosecution you can phone my attorney Maria Speth anytime to assure the facts are correct – Arizona Phx information.
My authority to teach CEO’s is stronger because of this experience. I advised a rapidly growing firm who experienced an SEC investigation as one of my CEO clients. The investigation closed with a formal SEC letter with no fine and NO FURTHER ACTION of anykind . This is the gold standard for doing things RIGHT. The CEO was in tears thanking me for the training we provied in our unique IP education for business owners on OVER COMPLIANCE for this area – without which the CEO might have made a mistake without even knowing it ( much like I was victim of ) and the result is – even with legal advice – you pay a pretty good press cost and personal cost when the COP music is playing and ” what ya going to do when they come for you”. …..is playing in the system. I’m here to tell you – learning to avoid paying that price is pretty cool. And very rewarding as in this case …
Today the only negative information I have online flows from folks we terminated memberships from CEO SPACE community. They get mad and “Berny bash” online – still though its 100 positive to 1 negitive - which who has THAT online? It is pretty easy to click. They say things like “ Berny is using an “alias” name “BJ “. Folks my name is Bernhard Joseph Dohrmann – I speak as Berny and my family call me Berny and thats my NAME. I use BJ for my books and radio show because our brand folks 20 years ago felt Bernhard Joseph Dohrmann is a bit much for radio and book titles and BJ was ideal for radio. Its worked out great and the bloggers mean spirit – noting they can’t get back in and make money at CEO SPACE due to their ethics – are a bit miffed.
I have tabloid bashing. It goes with the territory.
I”m so proud of my 20+ years running CEO SPACE now spanning 140 countries. No litigaitons. No unresolved consumer complaints. Just a clean honest firm that from the top of Super Star training space with every name you know from John Assaraf of THE SECRET – and others – Bob Proctor – Lisa Nichols – most of the Secret Stars – to Tony Robbins and world famous Les Brown have all passed through CEO SPACE helping, advising, and making a difference in our work to help Entrepreneurs.
I have learned so much about compassion through this experience. Can you appreciate if a person treats you like a leaper – decades later in life – for what I just shared with you – what does that say about THEM and their mental software? I accept “if I had to do it over I could have done things so that no crack would have been open to frame up such a prosecution”. I also believe if they want you they will get you. No matter who you are. You seldom see the opposit and its big news when you do see as you did recently with Cassy Anthony in Florida. My trial wasn’t an OJ trial. In my trial jurors were alseep a lot of the time and I would have convicted me just on how boring it all was. Long and boring. Who knew? I didn’t know how to do that part? There is no school for it. I can so well remember the confinement of prison – with lines around the cell block – of daddies waitng for coaching from me. They would wait for hours until the supervisers, after lights out – would say – folks you have to come back tomorrow Mr. Dohrmann needs a break now. I would coach them on their teenagers. On their marriages. On their dreams in business. On their relationships in their family. I learned so much about the projects and the streets. About drug use and absue from all the fatherless homes and uneducated young people so harshly sentenced 80% with no victim – no violence. I learned Prision in the USA had gone from Clinton’s exit at 800,000 having risen from 400,000 on his watch alone – to 5 million as the fastest growing city on earth. I didn’t know that. In fact how can we afford it? And should a kid with a small bag of pot sentence to 15 years in Texas be in a program versus with hard criminals? I learned. Today we teach prison programs to prisoners exiting. I would not have done that in my spoiled rich boy upbringing.
Today I am working to get our entrepreneur program into state and federal prisons. I would never have done that had my experience so many years ago not taken place. Today I lobby law makers for justice reform and I work with prosecuters on theory for grand jury reform – and we need all that in my opinion. Those lines in the jail are fresh in my mind and I tell all my fellow bothers and sisters coming through – there is hope – and hold your head up – and never waver in your conviction “your poor 90 minute decision is not indicative of the value of the total contrbitutiosn of your entire lifetime – focus on your contributions and learn from your past mistakes – learn earn and RETURN is the rule I live by. What does not kill you with accceptance and responsibility – should make you stronger. I learned so much from all this – so much.
Well there it is twenty more years fast forward to now. Mine NOW . I help CEO’s stay out of harms way and live in OVER COMPLIANCE as a new business standard above what any law firms instructs you to do. In fact we are now on going educaton credits in all fifty states for the LAW FIRMS – think I’m proud of that. Law firms appreciate what I’ve been through alibiet somewhat antique history now so long ago - and the regulators know our legal team and my passion rest on using what I went through to help others and make a positive contirubiton from it. Regulators have been helpful and appreciative of the work we are peforming and many have advised me both in and out of their offices. I am grateful to them all. Special thanks to Steve Myers who worked in San Francisco for the prosecution agencies of our nation when my case was going through – and who now teaches for over a decade at CEO SPACE. You can see Steve Myers words on my case on the films at www.lsapublishing.com over an organge juice. The blog tabloid lies fall when you hear the truth from the horses mouth a former federal prosecutor.
I will always get some unfair tabloid Berny Bashing – because folks who join CEO SPACE and cheat the members get booted out and they threaten to blog me and make my background dominate the blog sphere if I kick them out. While we don’t do it often we do it in spite of such threats. We don’t care. I don’t care. I protect the network. PERIOD. To the best of our teams ability including our law firm teams onsite. I’m in my legacy final part of life – an old grandpa, father of nine myself – three adopted boys – and grateful for every day of good health and service I am permitted to share – so the few blogger buddies I have can flutter and sputter out there – it doesn’t effect our work – our help to small business and professional practices - or offset the thousands of testimonials and good will we have expressed world wide. I enjoy 100 to 1 postiive online to any negative and who can say that ? And the only negative related to an event over 30 years in the past – long ago into my “NEXT” file. You have to smile if your reading this. I know you appreciate how to read between the lines – because your so intelligent you read my blogs. 
I was on CBS prime time radio with Les Brown for two hours in their largest market in LA. Guests phoned in for over an hour after the popular rated show to get coaching advice in their busienss. Imagne what its like to be on air for two hours – and the phones lit up – with clients waiting over one hour to just get help. I went to trial because I felt I had over complied with the law and could not loose proving that at Trial. I learned a lot about trials and how they really work – in the proecess of my education. I trust I am putting this knowledge and expeirence to a good work of contribution.
And I appreciate your reading this blog – and sharing it when needed. It may help someone.
I trust you. I know you trust me. You keep coming back. I appreciate you more than I can say. Thank you all.
CEO SPACE is working with city, state and national goverments to grow jobs more rapidly. Our 1200 modules of Entrepreneur Education are licensed to Universities and provide educational credits in the USA to over 20 professional designations – two years of credits for law firms health care professionals CPA firm AIA’s Engineering firms and so many more. Our www.ceospacenation.com site defines our work to rapidly grow civic jobs for community. If you have community leadership or political leadership charged to create jobs more rapidly – and its all about jobs jobs jobs – please have them review this site and get in touch with us. We just can’t wait to help the unemployed get back to work.
I always put my history up front so everyone knows and I repost it over and over and have for two decades. This is just another one. I hope it hits home for you this weekend as you read all the negative news out there.
Then its up to you.
If my record of 25 years is not enough – the films on www.lsapublishing.com including the law firms appearing in the films and the former SEC prosecutor in the film – might be just what you required in data ( if your loooking at joining CEO SPACE or knowing more about me ) to land on perspective you can related to - and hopefully you decide …. ok – whatever happened way way back when - there is a redemption story here and the “guy” ( me ) – is in contribution without a hiccup to a lot of people - using his past as an education item to help folks in their future. In fact it I believe it is only someone like myself who has been through a system issue of this nature – that can help other CEO’s maximally. Bob Circosta the billion dollar origonal voice of Home Shopping having sold billions in merchanise on air -said in a standing room only Tampa Bay meeting last week – “Berny Dohrmann has helped more entrepreneurs to be succesful and become wealthy than any individual alive today on the planet earth and I have been by his side since 1991 – I know this man – I know his heart – and I associate with Berny as do the most famous trainers in the world – because we all know his heart – and Berny really really cares about the samll business owner. It is extremely rewarding to have unsolicited unexpected recognition for your life work from someone who lead on stages eveywhere. It is humbling indeed.
I love helping small business and professionals – I give my life to it. . On the day my client reported that SEC 2010 favoorable closing letter – I was so happy for HIM for his employee’s and for the work we shared to help him along the way – educationally. He was quite clear it was not his law firm that made the difference – it was our training and over complaince educaiton – he said was so priceless. On a given day a life can be worth a lot – and that day recently was another one for me. For his children I was so pleased…they never had to suffer like mine did with what I had to march into and through. Using my own experience to help others all these years later is a pure joy. I’m sure you can relate.
From books coming out and what will be a box office movie ( Malicious Prosecution ) via www.lsapublishing.com to see the movie trailer which is pure fun - its all more than I anticipated at any level and at my time of life as a grandfather. I just get to watch and witness today as others march foward with such agenda’s – when natons ask me to speak to their finance ministers who do you think that makes me feel? When I spoke to 500 business leaders in Romainia, it is interesting to witness and humbling to live through. I just want to be a humble servant to the leading trainers alive – and to propel CEO business leaders to their next greater works.
God had a plan and it was so much greater than mine.
I would not change a thing that I was to learn - not even one minute.
My goal is to be useful as a coach for anyone who needs me and to help my CEO SPACE customers to faster prosperity through entrepreneur skill transfer.
Hopefully our reptuation for 20+ years is a reputation we earn every new day and will retain year to year. We are working hard to do so each and every hour.
My famous father taught his nine children that Loyalty is a perishable commodity that like dawn and dusk has a shelf life of one full day – and leaders he instructed his youngesters is earned by behavior that operates one day at a time – and yesterday means nothing to tomorrow – you earn loyalty from others and their trust – by your behavior in each new day. Dawn to Dust.
I try to live within my father’s lesson – one day at a time. I’m honored that leaders trust me world wide.
If you have had a bad day or month this month – it is my hope you have not had an unfair prosecution and suffered the worst punishment known to man save for execution. Ghandi knows as does Mandella what the penaltiy for leadership is. Your worst day is not our worst day. In fact you haven’t had a bad day – and all days are great days when you never have to face such extreme system interface and consequence. When you have lived the life everyone goes to see movies about – you wish to ring the bell that today is a great day – and a safe day – and all your problems are insigificant compared to say being indicted and going to prison – compared to that nothing else matters.
..ask not for whom that bell tolls – for it tolls for thee…..
So pick up your spirits.
Hold a grateful heart for the lists of blessings you hold today.
Rise your mind heart and spirit up - and cry out for the grace in your place – with gratitude.
All challenges are passing enegies. They all pass. They all have the power to make you stronger to make you better. They can change you for the better. If you allow it and look for the lesson inside each.
My hope is my own experience ( expressed in Hugh Ballau’s book on Leadership – look him up on Amazon ) can inspire you – help you – lift you and become a blast of good luck in your day or evening and washing good luck all over you RIGHT NOW as a shift – a blessing – just becuase you took the time to “feel me”. I send you such a prayer for that shift and good luck which begins washing over YOU…right now.
I hope I’m succesful as a business leader a husband a child of God and a father and parent and by far not in that order. I wish you the same. Not in that order.
Good luck is a response to prayer.
I have prayed for YOU.
Your good luck ( because I have enormous faith in prayer )
Begins
RIGHT NOW !!!!!!
Berny Dohrmann
Preparing www.ceospaceinc.com Tuesday to Sunday of next week
PS: Telling the truth faster is the story of bringing your life into greatness – you can’t begin to concieve nor does your mind begin to recognize the embrace of the true potential latent in your life – laten in your capacity to imapact others and be of service to greater numbers – your best days are just coming up – your miacles and magic are just forming next – you can never predict how your darkest shadow will lift YOU into your greatest ligth and illumination….I’m living proof ….and your NEXT !!!!!
