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As shown by the victim impact statements, these weren't just corporate investors or private family offices that invested. Real middle-class Americans believed you, invested their life savings in DECN and are now living with the consequences. One victim says that he lost about half his savings. Another described having to curtail travel plans because of the lost money and that he now has to look into a home equity loan. Another couple worries they might not be able to retire at all after investing about $140,000 in your fraudulent scheme. And another who tried to warn others about your scheme ended up moving because of the threats he received and he says he's lost faith in our law enforcement system as a result. These are very real financial, emotional and psychological harms that you caused. More, even once the SEC caught on to your schemes, you doubled down on your scheme, created a nom de guerre to undermine their investigation, attacked the integrity and credibility of the SEC staff member involved and anyone else who dared to raise questions about your actions and worked to encourage people to continue to invest in DECN on false pretense. To a large extent, this worked. I think Mr. Fenton is right that your actions caused the wasting of valuable FDA time at a time when that agency was desperately trying to provide help for people who were sick and scared about the pandemic. I think that he's also right in describing you tricking victims into writing letters to agencies that really were against their own self-interest and that were attempting to stymie the efforts to stop your fraud. And I think your attacks on Investigator Perkins are despicable. It was only after the DOJ indicted you that your scheme finally unraveled. But even that didn't really stop you. I find by a preponderance of the evidence that you tampered with witnesses and obstructed the investigation through your contacts with Victims 1 and 2 specifically and other victims throughout 2021 and 2022 and that you engaged in additional fraudulent conduct through entering into loan agreements you had no intention of repaying, all in violation of your release conditions. This is significant, shocking additional misconduct, the extent of which I rarely see even with hardened criminals. Even your attorneys admit that it took having your release conditions revoked for you finally to wake up to the severity of your actions. I also have very little evidence of remorse here for me to consider in your benefit
...
I find the aggravating factors include the fact that you took advantage of the COVID pandemic to defraud people, that you so personally and intentionally attacked investigators trying to stop your fraud scheme and that you continued to violate the law and your release conditions even after your indictment. I also agree with Mr. Fenton that there's a strong need for general deterrence here, recognizing how vulnerable we as a country are to fraud during disaster circumstances and the need to send a clear message that that type of crime will be punished severely. These factors frankly suggest that a sentence near the top of the statutory maximum would be appropriate. On the other hand, there are several significant mitigating factors here, including my belief that you hoped to develop a COVID test, your age and your serious health conditions. But for these factors, I would be sentencing you to a much higher sentence than I intend to impose.
If all that is required for 'winning' is simply not be locked up in prison, that's a pretty low bar..
Not at all. There's a lot of happiness that can be pursued while that handle is on the inside of the door. The world is your oyster. Whereas when it isn't... well that's a different perspective. Not many winners in jail.
It is. But entirely self inflicted! I think my main takeaways from this whole DECN debacle:
(i) Its not too bad when people round on you and shout you down for being honest. Stick 2 fingers up to them and carry on being honest. (ii) Winning is not points scoring or dollar amounts or fancy job titles or one-upmanship or having the last word or almost any of the other things that people think it is. Its simply going to bed every night in a room where there is a handle in the inside of the door.
I am happy to have learned those lessons the easy way! Unlike Mr Berman.
I'm sure he is a bit lonely, and would love to hear from us.
You're all right thanks! He's where he is because of what he did. I wouldn't trade places with him that is for sure. I feel a sense of satisfaction and even relief that justice has caught up with him and stopped his wayward behaviour. But NOT joy. As for gloating? Well that is certainly what Berman would have done (and did) BEFORE the reality of the law collided abruptly with whatever narcissistic fantasy he was indulging in. But what purpose would that serve? I like to think... or at least hope that I am better than that. Happy to leave the man be in peace now. He's doing his time, and appears to have lost everything else important. He's down. And kicking a man when he's already on the ground is ungentlemanly behaviour and I was brought up better than that. So personally, I'd much sooner just pity him now, than bully him, and I would encourage others likewise.
Our favorite CEO has a new "home". He was transferred to a medical facility prison in Fort Worth, Texas. He has a birthday coming up, on Aug 31. He is allowed to receive mail of course, so how about sending him a birthday card in a couple of weeks? I'm sure he is a bit lonely, and would love to hear from us.
KEITH BERMAN Register Number: 22728-509 Age: 70 Race: White Sex: Male Located at: Fort Worth FMC 3150 HORTON ROAD FORT WORTH, TX 76119
To send mail to an inmate, use the following:
KEITH BERMAN Register Number: 22728-509 FMC Fort Worth FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER P.O. BOX 15330 FORT WORTH, TX 76119
The BOP encourages inmates to write to family, friends, and other community contacts to maintain these ties during incarceration. Written correspondence is classified as either general or special mail.
General Correspondence "General correspondence" is opened and inspected by staff for both contraband and content that might threaten the security or good order of the institution.
Special Mail Special incoming mail that is specially marked as such, can only be opened only in the presence of the inmate. It too will be inspected for physical contraband and the qualification of any enclosures as special mail.
Of course, this is all public information, available to anyone.
He's asking to be transferred to FPCs Yankton or Duluth, or else FMC Rochester. Which is proof that he does remain incarcerated! Sure, these are minimum security facilities. But while the rest of us can all sleep in rooms equipped with door handles on the inside, it will still be some time before that basic dignity is extended in Mr Berman's direction.
I'm just concerned that somehow, Mr Slimeball, worked his way out of this....
Victims can obtain his actual whereabouts using the Federal Victim notification system. Last I heard he remains incarcerated at the DC federal prison medical facility that he was committed to at sentencing. I believe this shows as 'not in BOP custody' because he is currently in the medical facility rather than in the general inmate population. He has certainly not been released from federal custody, and won't be for quite some time I would imagine.,
Rest assured, He's paying his dues one way or another, and I for one would not trade places with him. Pity is the appropriate emotion for him now. Because justice is not nice, but is IS justice.
I'm just concerned that somehow, Mr Slimeball, worked his way out of this....
"Federal Inmate number 22728-509 Release Date: UNKNOWN Location: Not in BOP custody"
BOP = Federal Bureau of Prisons
He has a birthday coming up, and I wanted to send him a card, along with an offer to buy his non working 1973 Opel GT. My idea is to rent out rides in it to former DECN shareholders!
"The PSR describes Mr. Berman's financial condition as "appear[ing] to have negative net worth... with no monthly cash flow... [and no] ability to pay a fine in this case, in addition to restitution." PSR at 21 (ECF No. 191). Mr. Berman's assets are dwarfed by his substantial amount of debt. Mr. Berman's assets total $2,460, comprised of $1,500 from an inoperable 1973 Opel GT, $160 dollars in his checking and savings accounts, $100 in DECN stock, and $700 in various electronic equipment. Id. at 19. Mr. Berman's liabilities are extensive, totaling $345,000 owed to financial institutions and other merchants. Id. This results in a substantial negative net worth totaling $342,540. Id.
Mr. Berman's projected earnings and other income are similarly grim. Mr. Berman's age and numerous, serious health issues stimy his ability to begin paying restitution. "
Mere mortals might drive a non working 1973 Opel, but only Biotech CEO's like Berman have the GT model!
FYI, the Government is asking for restitution in the amount of $1,043,618.20
As an aside, thanks to all of the stretching of word meanings in these communications, perhaps Keith should have come up with a scheme to sell quotation marks?
Not his style.... too much hard work! I think instead Keith would have gone down the route of setting up a company to copy and recycle used quotation marks from elsewhere. (Less work). And rather than actually selling the quotation marks (too much hard work ....someone else could do that!) he'd just have sold shares in the company that had the idea of recycling quotation marks (less work!). And rather than actually running this business (hard work!) he'd just empty it to fund his lifestyle and porn habit (less work). And when people started to ask questions about why his much hyped 'quotation mark' business was underperforming, He'd simply diversify into 'commas and related punctuation' and fund raise on the back of that!. Rinse. Repeat. The "story" was always and ever the product with Berman. It took a federal judge to assert a jolt of reality into Berman's delusional self belief. He is your classic Narcissist! It's a recognized personality disorder/ mental illness. So he has that to fall back on. But its one of those awkward ones in which it's the people around you that suffer! And agency is important here! I believe Keith had agency here, so he should account for his destructive behaviour. I have met the type. I have become a bit of a spotter truth be told! He could have worn a T shirt which said "I am utterly untrustworthy, do not ever buy from me!" and worked quietly in social care or such like. Instead - metaphorically - he wore a red cap which said "I am God... worship me and give me all your money! Cross me and I will Kill you" The 'only fans' was just Berman's way of 'grabbing pussies! Because they let you!'.
Nice to see this was resolved properly after all this time and strife. Been checking this board every few months. Thanks IPWatcher for keeping us up to date.
I suffered minor losses, and also remain the "proud" "owner" of 157 "free" shares from the big reverse split forever ago that would have cost me over $300 (iirc) to unrestrict. My only other memento, after decades of following this from when it was ISCR and touted by the "made" and "mayd" handles on Yahoo (two of which inadvertently outed themselves as the same person, despite the feint of stylistic differences, which I pointed out only to be disparaged and ignored), is this private message from Pluto after I questioned the invisibility of the "settlement' in the financials. I post it here simply as a relic for posterity:
Icon for plutoniumimplosion plutoniumimplosion
Sunday, March 26, 2017 11:34:01 AM
So much time has been wasted discussing nonsense. So it can now be shown that management and the BOD didn't dupe or steal from or hide the settlement from shareholders (and people acting like shareholders who use message boards to fulfill a negative agenda).
So almost a year later what has been proven? NOTHING! Now one of the biggest critics of management and the BOD and the guy who raised the question in the first place in his attempt to put together enough facts to bring a class action lawsuit (because that's what he does), well ... this guy is now claiming credit for unwinding the enigma and finding -- NOTHING.
Isn't there a more important question in need of asking? Something like, why did management settle the lawsuit? And by settling in the matter that they did, wasn't there a plan in place by management?
And, you can get that answer by looking at the pharmatechdirect.com Web page.
How many will look? I predict, less than a handful.
As an aside, thanks to all of the stretching of word meanings in these communications, perhaps Keith should have come up with a scheme to sell quotation marks.
However, I am glad he finally got what he deserves.
If the defence filings are to be believed and where Berman is involved I would exercise appropriate caution.. (see https://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=174215549) then he lost both his 'common law' wife of 40 years, and his son on the back of his exploits. IF this is true... Well.... There is money, And well then there is stuff that actually matters!
The story of Keith Berman is like the film "It's a wonderful Life" but played out in the exact negative! "Everytime a bell rings, a demon gets given his horns!"
It was only old age and ill health that got him down to a 7 stretch! Government wanted 10, despite the fact that it could have been 20 if he was young and fit... Defence actually wanted "Time served!" - as his incarceration had been "the wake up call he needed!". LOL ... talk about a heavy sleeper!!!!
Man, they should have given him more time for all the scams he pulled prior to the Covid sham. He has been doing this for a couple of decades. However, I am glad he finally got what he deserves.
Outstanding! Given the circumstances, as presented by the Defense, I was hoping for a minimum of 5 years.
The way I look at it is like this: He was ACTUALLY guilty of and sentenced to 19 years worth of offending. Taking into account his age and infirmity, the Judge generously and mercifully allowed the sentences to run concurrently, thereby reducing his term of confinement by a factor of 2.7 Now say Thankyou to the nice Judge Keith!!!
Outstanding! Given the circumstances, as presented by the Defense, I was hoping for a minimum of 5 years. Seems like Judge McFadden did a nice job of sorting through Berman's team's BS.
7 years, 7 years and 5 years (Concurrently) with 3 yrs supervision thereafter!
The complete justice would have been to also see the folks that aided in this act also serve time. I'm speaking to the Barbara's of the world out there.
I've seen this clown, along with his monkeys do damage long before this cooked up game. It was great to see others sounding the alarm before he did even more damage. The sad part is there will always be other conmen to replace him to take investors for all they got.
So, we now close the chapter on this book, and everyone can move on. It's been real DDC. Thanks for humor!
7 years, 7 years and 5 years (Concurrently) with 3 yrs supervision thereafter! So... that is like... "7 years but don't even think of appealing... there is no point!... we got you forwards backwards sideways and upwards... Compris?.... Now Say Thankyou Judge!!"
I take that as the judge showing leniency at the same time as not swallowing any of Berman's bullshit! Nor that of those that spoke up for him! And as he is below the 10yr limit, he will probably score minimum security. I think the 3yrs supervision is important given the sociopathic behavior exhibited... I can live with this outcome. They guy is old and sick and I am not cruel. They have locked him up good and hard, but they have not thrown away the key.
But then again , I didn't lose any money. (Nor did I make any... I am honest! . And I sleep at night!) I just saw this toxic POS for what it was and posted warning notices for others to see (As did several others. For which I got abuse and intimidation where 'thanks' would have been due.(As did several others... to whom I owe thanks for their warnings that were heeded!)
Ideally I'd like to see ALL of those bottom feeders that scored $ off the back of this DECN scam gone after by law enfrorcment. No one should be able to show a profit in a sad situation like this. No one!
Justice is not quick, but sometimes it gets there in the end!
Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Trevor N. McFadden: Sentencing held on 4/12/2024 as to KEITH BERMAN. Defendant sentenced to a term of Eighty-Four (84) Months of Incarceration as to each of Counts 1s and 2s, Sixty (60) Months of Incarceration as to Count 3s, all terms to run concurrently, followed by a term of Thirty-Six (36) Months of Supervised Release as to each of Counts 1s, 2s, 3s, all terms to run concurrently. Special Assessment of $100 imposed as to each of Counts 1s, 2s, 3s, for a total amount of $300. Restitution to be determined at a later date. Bond Status of Defendant: Committed/Commitment Issued. Defense Attorneys: Michelle M. Peterson, Kevin B. Collins, Nick Xenakis; Jose J. Ramos, Jonah T. Panikar, Brandon Howell, Jose F. Giron; US Attorneys: Christopher R. Fenton, Matthew Reilly, Katherine Reilly; Probation Officer: Hana Field; Court Reporter: Lisa Edwards. (hmc)[/url][tag]insert-text-here
Berman's sentencing hearing was supposed to start about two hours ago. Wish it was being streamed on YouTube or some other fine subscription service. Actually, I suppose it could be done by now. Waiting for the magic words, "Keith Berman remanded to the slammer!"
So erm... yeh! That's the thing about being a proven liar Keith....
I think the point is this... If I asked most people what the weather was like outside? and they told me it was raining, I'd likely believe them. But If I asked SOME people what the weather was like outside? and they told me it was raining, I'd go to the window and look for myself.
Now if I asked Keith Berman what the weather was like outside? And he told me it was raining... Well... First I'd go the window. To check whether it was worth going down the 3 flights of stairs. If it looked like it was raining, I'd go down the stairs and outside into the street. I would feel the cold drops on my face, And only then, I would pull an eppendorf tube from my pocket. And I would catch therein some drops. And I would send that tube off to a lab. For a Karl Fischer titration analysis. And if they told me that the eppendorf contained >99% water.... and showed me the analysis... raw data then I would ask to see their CLIA certifications.... And if these checked out... only THEN would I believe Keith Berman when he told me it was raining!
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