Qwest’s Joe Nacchio, Club Fed, the NSA and “Rub it on your chest”

Here’s a short, interesting article about Qwest’s Joe Nacchio and his release from prison

A couple of takeaways:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) There is no longer a “Club Fed” for white-collar inmates — if in fact there ever was one.  Deprivation of liberty is still prison; isolation from your family is still painful; and being vulnerable is still scary.

(2) Although it’s possible that the Government prosecuted Nacchio because he refused to turn over Qwest customer information to the NSA, it’s not likely (although it would be a side benefit, if there was already an investigation rolling).

(3) His advice is sound for most businesspeople:

Mr. Nacchio wants bankers, hedge fund analysts and others facing potential prison sentences to know that they are better off cutting a deal to avoid incarceration and the hardship it brings on family members.

His advice for other executives entering prison: listen, don’t talk. Show empathy to others who aren’t as fortunate. Live in the moment.

And forge ahead, despite the setbacks, he said, quoting a saying he learned from other inmates: “Rub it on your chest.”

Here’s the video of the news story:  Nacchio Story Video