Episode
Presumption of Innocence - Episode 86
- Published
- Jun 9, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3386
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Summary
Episode 86 Weaponization of DOJ Isn't New: The Untold Story of Stephen Keller Hosted by Matt Adams and Stephen Keller “My heart dropped to my feet. And the life just left me, and I knew that at that time we were done. I knew whatever this was, it's not good... After that, the whole demeanor of the judge changed. Anything my attorneys asked for, they were not granted... There was absolutely no due process from that meeting on for me." Weaponization of the criminal justice system was happening long before it had a name. That's what Stephen Keller posits in his book, Pay to Play: Political Corruption, Corporate Greed, and the Cost of the American Dream . In the late 1990s, Stephen was living every entrepreneur's dream. In his late twenties, he entered the viatical settlement market and went on to essentially create the life settlement industry, which today moves $30 billion annually. But as Stephen's company became the largest player — and disruptor — in the sector, he found himself walking around with a target on his back. A specific, well-resourced insurance company, threatened by his business model, allegedly orchestrated a coordinated effort with federal authorities to bring him down. In this powerful episode of "The Presumption of Innocence," host Matt Adams sits down with Stephen to discuss the alleged takedown, the pay-to-play political system he encountered while seeking relief, the life-altering moment when the U.S. Attorney General inexplicably arrived at his federal trial to meet privately with the judge, and his ceaseless attempts to clear his name during the nine years he spent in prison. This is an episode you won't want to miss. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the participants and should not be considered the views of Fox Rothschild LLP or…