From Hedge Fund Fraud to Redemption: Sean's Story at ACFE GlobalIn this Fraudish episode, the host interviews Sean, a former hedge fund manager who spoke at the 37th annual ACFE Global conference closing. Sean describes growing up in a working-class Denver home, dropping out of college, becoming a stockbroker, and launching a short-term trading hedge fund at 32. After early success, a losing month threatened his identity, leading him to conceal losses, escalate deception, and contemplate suicide when the SEC investigated; he instead cooperated, accepted responsibility, and later served 13.75 years of a 40-year state-prison sentence, plus six months in a halfway house, earning time off through good behavior and an associate’s degree. He shares prison lessons on judgment, authenticity, and trust, then reintegration through completing a bachelor’s degree and speaking, including a podcast that led ACFE’s John Gill to invite him to speak. The conversation also touches on fraudster dinner choices (Nixon), gender and theft, recommended books and podcasts, leadership lessons from prison softball, and a humorous aside about Mercedes vs. Range Rovers.00:40 Dinner With a Fraudster01:54 Who Steals More03:42 From Denver to Hedge Fund05:29 First Loss and Cover Up07:01 SEC Call and Ledge08:12 Cooperating and Identity09:47 Family Ego and Balance13:58 Prison Reality Check18:44 Trust Among Manipulators20:31 Time Served and Halfway House23:28 Speaking Path to ACFE25:30 Mercedes Not Range Rover27:09 Podcast Influences28:32 Money Talk and Private Jets29:50 Finance Shows That Miss33:25 Wall Street Roots and Validation35:08 Writing the Redemption Book37:48 Integrity Culture Reading List39:35 Did Employees Know41:08 How Investors Trusted Him45:18 Next 15 Years and LeadershipConnect with Sean:https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanmueller5280/https://proactiveethics.com/