Jeff Grant

Jeff Grant
Born:	1959; New York
Charges:	Wire fraud, Money laundering
Sentence:	14 months
Facility:	FCI Schuylkill
Status:	Released

Jeffrey Grant (born 1959) is an American attorney, minister, and criminal justice reform advocate. A former high-powered attorney whose career was destroyed by his conviction for wire fraud and money laundering, Grant has transformed his life into one of service, becoming an Episcopal priest and co-founding Progressive Prison Ministries, an organization dedicated to helping those affected by the criminal justice system.

Early Life and Education

Jeffrey Grant was born in 1959 in New York. He grew up in a middle-class family and pursued higher education with the goal of becoming an attorney.

Grant's educational background includes:

Undergraduate degree from Syracuse University
Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law

He was admitted to the Connecticut Bar and began building what would become a successful legal career.

Legal Career

Grant practiced law in Connecticut for over two decades, establishing himself as a respected attorney specializing in real estate transactions and business law. His practice included:

Real estate closings and transactions
Corporate legal services
Business consulting
Estate planning

He built a comfortable life with a successful practice, a family, and standing in his community.

Criminal Case

The Scheme

Grant's legal troubles began when he became involved in a mortgage fraud scheme. Under financial pressure, he:

Misappropriated client escrow funds
Engaged in fraudulent real estate transactions
Used wire transfers to move illegally obtained funds
Converted client funds for personal use

The scheme involved multiple transactions over time and affected several clients who had trusted Grant with their money.

Investigation and Charges

The Connecticut Statewide Grievance Committee and federal authorities investigated Grant's activities. The investigation revealed the full extent of his fraud.

Grant was charged with:

Wire fraud - for using electronic communications to execute the fraud
Money laundering - for moving the illegally obtained funds

Guilty Plea and Sentencing

Grant pleaded guilty to the federal charges. In sentencing proceedings:

Prosecutors documented the harm to victims
Grant expressed remorse for his actions
The court considered his previous good standing

The court sentenced Grant to:

14 months in federal prison
Supervised release
Restitution to victims

He was also disbarred from the practice of law in Connecticut.

Incarceration

FCI Schuylkill

Grant served his sentence at FCI Schuylkill, a medium-security federal correctional institution in Minersville, Pennsylvania. During his incarceration, Grant:

Reflected deeply on his actions and their consequences
Began exploring his spirituality
Participated in prison educational and religious programs
Connected with other inmates going through similar experiences

Transformative Experience

Grant has described his time in prison as transformative. The experience:

Forced him to confront the harm he had caused
Stripped away his professional identity
Led him to explore questions of meaning and purpose
Connected him with others affected by the criminal justice system

Release

Grant was released after serving his sentence and completing required supervision.

Post-Release Transformation

Spiritual Journey

Following his release, Grant underwent a profound spiritual transformation:

Entered seminary at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale
Was ordained as an Episcopal priest
Focused his ministry on those affected by incarceration

Progressive Prison Ministries

In 2012, Grant and his wife Lynn Springer co-founded Progressive Prison Ministries (PPM), a nonprofit organization based in Connecticut. PPM provides:

Services for Those Facing Prosecution

Spiritual and emotional support during the legal process
Guidance on navigating the federal criminal justice system
Preparation for incarceration
Family support services

Services for the Incarcerated

Visitation and correspondence
Spiritual guidance
Connection to resources

Services for Those Re-entering Society

Reentry planning and support
Employment assistance
Ongoing spiritual direction
Community reintegration help

Ministry Philosophy

Grant's ministry is grounded in several principles:

No judgment: Meeting people where they are without moral condemnation
Practical assistance: Providing concrete help alongside spiritual support
Lived experience: Using his own journey to connect with and help others
Whole-person care: Addressing spiritual, emotional, and practical needs

Advocacy Work

Grant has become a prominent voice in criminal justice reform:

Speaking and Writing

Speaks at conferences, churches, and community events
Writes about criminal justice issues
Shares his story to reduce stigma around incarceration

Policy Advocacy

Advocates for prison reform measures
Supports reentry programs and second-chance policies
Works to humanize those affected by the criminal justice system

Media Presence

Featured in documentaries and news programs
Regular contributor to discussions on criminal justice
Interviewed about white-collar crime and redemption

Teaching and Training

Grant provides education on criminal justice issues:

Trains clergy and faith communities on prison ministry
Educates attorneys on the human side of criminal defense
Works with families navigating the system

Personal Life

Grant is married to Lynn Springer, who is also deeply involved in Progressive Prison Ministries. Together they have built their post-conviction lives around service to others.

He is open about his past, using his story as a tool for ministry rather than hiding from it.

Philosophy on Redemption

Grant's work embodies a particular view of redemption and second chances:

Accountability

He emphasizes that redemption requires:

Taking full responsibility for harm caused
Making amends where possible
Living differently going forward

Grace

He also emphasizes:

The possibility of transformation
The inherent worth of every person
The power of community support

Purpose from Pain

Grant teaches that suffering can become purposeful:

His own pain became the foundation for helping others
Difficult experiences can develop compassion
Second chapters can be meaningful

Legacy and Impact

Grant's story illustrates several important themes:

Transformation

His journey from disgraced attorney to ordained minister demonstrates the possibility of profound personal change.

Service

His commitment to helping others in similar situations shows how personal failure can become a foundation for service.

Criminal Justice Reform

His advocacy work contributes to broader conversations about redemption, reentry, and second chances.

References

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