Tony Viola: Finding faith and perseverance in time of unfairness Artwork

PEP Talks: People Empowering People

Kasey Crawford Kellem is a school counselor, author, yoga instructor, motivational speaker, former business owner and special ed teacher, and now, podcaster. She is a beacon of resiliency as she continues through her journey dodging hurdles but still dancing all along the way! The creator and author of Mind Over Matter Books, Kellem’s first five books, “Believe,” “Love,” “Laugh,” “Relax,” and “Dream” teach children the resiliency tools necessary to overcome obstacles. After her husband died from cancer, Kellem wrote, “Bella-Eve the Bounce-Back Dog” a book she has shared with thousands of children helping them cope with their challenges in life. Her adult memoir, “Don’t Stop Believing: Our Journey with Cancer” was written to help encourage others coping with a terminally ill family member or widowhood believe they can overcome the grief. She has spent her thirty-plus year career in education helping others overcome their hardships so they can live longer, happier quality lives.

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PEP Talks: People Empowering People

Tony Viola: Finding faith and perseverance in time of unfairness

October 12, 2020 • Kasey Kellem and Greta Fechter • Season 1 • Episode 31

Tony Viola, a former mortgage broker, was indicted three times and tried twice on identical charges by a multi-jurisdictional mortgage fraud task force. Prosecutors alleged Tony duped banks like JP Morgan into making 'no money down' mortgage loans that the bank didn't permit. Tony was convicted in federal court and sentenced to 12 1/2 years in jail. But from jail, and without an attorney, he proved his innocence at a second trial on the same charges using evidence the Justice Department hid before the first trial. Prosecutors possessed evidence proving Tony's innocence all along but never provided it to the defense. In 2019, the Justice Department admitted lying about evidence in Tony's case and in July, 2020, the FBI also admitted making materially false statements about this same evidence. Tony was released from prison this summer after spending 8 1/2 years in prison under false accusations and due to much corruption and fraud within the Department of Justice.

We learned from Tony:

*There is always something to be grateful for

*Church is a good community which can offer you energy, faith and perseverance

*Having a purpose can help you get through trying times

*We have to channel outrage for the good

*Having just one person believe in you is very empowering

*You have to take care of yourself and look out for yourself

Learn more about Tony at www.FreeTonyViola.com

Gretatude:

I hate the unfairness of injustice. Anybody who thinks they are better than others or 'chosen' or feel they have an entitlement... be it through monarchy, government, or money. I think we are all born the same. We are entitled to an equal shot at life. Liam Cunningham

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