The Fall of the Firmest Pillar

In June 2008, Jay Berger, an attorney and mortgage banker from suburban Philadelphia, found himself shackled on a blue, unmarked prison bus. His story describes the journey of a regular guy from the baby boomer generation, successful in his career and family life, who became entangled in a protracted and futile conflict with Fannie Mae. This happened fifteen years before the financial debacle that crippled the nation. Subsequently, it spiraled him downward into a personal abyss of alcoholism, financial ruin, divorce, and ultimately into the dysfunctional labyrinth of the American Justice system. Astutely observant from the point of view of both a lawyer and a prisoner, Jay’s story combines biting commentary, humor, and heart, along with vivid descriptions of prison life and numerous legal battles. What emerges is a compelling expose of our prisons, federal judges, lawyers, and Fannie Mae, and offers an important contribution to our country’s impassioned debate on prison and judicial reform.