I am a blessed husband of 24 years and a father to an incredible daughterand son. When I married my wife, I promised her that I would love her,cherish her, and protect her. As my father said countless times throughoutmy childhood, “you my wife, and you my children, are the air that I breathe.”To my Laura, my Sami, and my Jake, there is nothing I wouldn’t do toprotect you.
I have always tried to live a life of loyalty, friendship, generosity, andcompassion – qualities my parents ingrained in my siblings and me sincechildhood. My father survived the Holocaust thanks to the compassion andselfless acts of others. He was helped by many who put themselves inharm’s way to do what they knew was right.
That is why my first instinct has always been to help those in need. Momand Dad…I am sorry that I let you down.
As many people that know me best would say, I am the person they wouldcall at 3AM if they needed help. I proudly remember being the emergencycontact for many of my children’s friends when they were growing upbecause their parents knew that I would drop everything and care for themas if they were my own. Yet, last fall I pled guilty in federal court to felonies for the benefit of, at thedirection of, and in coordination with Individual #1.
For the record: Individual #1 is President Donald J. Trump.
It is painful to admit that I was motivated by ambition at times. It is evenmore painful to admit that many times I ignored my conscience and actedloyal to a man when I should not have. Sitting here today, it seemsunbelievable that I was so mesmerized by Donald Trump that I was willingto do things for him that I knew were absolutely wrong.
For that reason, I have come here to apologize to my family, to thegovernment, and to the American people.
