Craig Stanland

Craig Stanland
Born:	1974 New York
Charges:	Wire fraud
Sentence:	2 years
Facility:	Federal prison
Status:	Released

Craig Stanland (born circa 1974) is an American author, speaker, and reinvention coach who served two years in federal prison after being convicted of wire fraud for a service contract fraud scheme against Cisco Systems that resulted in $834,307 in losses. Stanland, who had built a successful career in corporate sales, exploited Cisco's warranty replacement program by filing hundreds of false claims for defective computer networking equipment, then selling the replacement parts for personal profit. Following his arrest by the FBI on October 1, 2013, conviction, and two-year federal prison sentence, Stanland lost his career, marriage, home, and identity. After contemplating suicide during his incarceration, he began writing as a form of therapy and has since rebuilt his life as a "Reinvention Architect," helping others who have experienced catastrophic life changes to find purpose and meaning.

His 2021 book "Blank Canvas: How I Reinvented My Life after Prison" documents his journey from federal inmate to inspirational speaker and coach.

Summary

For years, Stanland lived what appeared to be an enviable life—a well-paying corporate job, a comfortable home, a marriage—built on the foundation of his sales career. Behind that facade, however, he was engaged in a fraud scheme that would eventually destroy everything he had built.

The fraud itself was relatively straightforward: Stanland exploited Cisco Systems' warranty program by filing false claims for defective networking equipment. When Cisco shipped replacement parts, he sold them to third parties rather than using them to replace genuinely defective equipment. Over time, these fraudulent transactions accumulated into hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal gains and losses to Cisco.

What makes Stanland's case particularly instructive is his willingness to examine and discuss the psychological factors that led him to commit fraud. He has written and spoken extensively about the rationalizations he used to justify his conduct, the way small ethical compromises grew into larger ones, and the identity crisis he experienced when his criminal behavior was exposed. His work now focuses on helping others avoid similar pitfalls and, for those who have already fallen, helping them rebuild their lives with greater authenticity and purpose.

Background

Early Life and Career

Craig Stanland was born in 1974 and grew up in New York. He built a career in corporate sales, eventually working in the technology sector. By outward appearances, his life was successful: a good income, professional respect, material comfort. However, Stanland has described feeling disconnected from his work and uncertain about his identity beyond his professional achievements.

The Fraud Scheme

In 2012, Stanland began exploiting the warranty policy of Cisco Systems, one of the world's largest technology companies. Cisco's warranty program allowed customers with service contracts to receive replacement parts for defective networking equipment. Stanland controlled or had access to approximately 18 service contracts for Cisco networking parts.

Using these contracts, Stanland filed hundreds of false service requests claiming that equipment was defective when it was not. Cisco, believing the claims were legitimate, shipped replacement parts to addresses that Stanland controlled. Rather than using these parts to replace genuinely defective equipment, Stanland sold them to third parties, pocketing the proceeds for his personal enrichment.

The scheme continued until federal investigators identified the pattern of fraudulent claims. The total loss to Cisco from Stanland's fraud was ultimately calculated at $834,307.

Indictment, Prosecution, and Sentencing

FBI Arrest

On October 1, 2013, FBI agents arrested Craig Stanland at his home on federal wire fraud charges. The arrest marked the beginning of the end of his former life—within a relatively short period, he would lose his career, his marriage, his home, and his sense of identity.

Conviction and Sentencing

Stanland pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges related to the Cisco warranty scheme. He was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $834,307 in restitution to Cisco Systems for the losses caused by his fraud.

The sentence reflected the relatively straightforward nature of the fraud and Stanland's acceptance of responsibility. Unlike some white-collar defendants who contest charges or minimize their conduct, Stanland has been notable for his willingness to acknowledge what he did and examine the factors that led him to do it.

Prison Experience

Incarceration and Crisis

Stanland served his two-year sentence. The experience lead to what Stanland describes as a complete dismantling of the identity he had built around his career and material success. In prison, Stanland found himself confronting questions about who he was when stripped of all external markers of achievement.

The psychological toll nearly overwhelmed him. Stanland has spoken openly about contemplating suicide during his incarceration. He was consumed by shame and guilt over what he had done and uncertain whether he could ever rebuild a meaningful life. The challenge was compounded by the prison environment: if guards learned he was having suicidal thoughts, he risked being placed in solitary confinement for his own protection—a prospect that would have made his situation even more difficult.

Writing as Therapy

Unable to talk openly about his darkest thoughts, Stanland turned to writing. Over three days, he wrote 186 pages—a raw, unfiltered exploration of his life, his crime, his imprisonment, and his hopes for the future. This writing became a form of therapy that helped him survive the remainder of his sentence and planted the seeds for his eventual reinvention.

The experience of writing in prison taught Stanland about the power of self-reflection and honest self-examination. These insights would later become central to his work helping others navigate their own crises and reinventions.

Post-Release Career

Reinvention

After his release from federal prison, Stanland faced the challenge that confronts all formerly incarcerated individuals: rebuilding a life in a society that often stigmatizes those with criminal records. For Stanland, the challenge was compounded by the loss of his relationship, his home, and his career during his incarceration. He was, as he would later describe it, starting with a "blank canvas."

Rather than attempting to return to his former career in corporate sales, Stanland embarked on a fundamentally different path as a coach and speaker, using his own experience as the foundation for helping others who were going through their own crises and reinventions.

Reinvention Architect

Stanland now describes himself as a "Reinvention Architect and Mindset Coach." He works one-on-one with clients who are navigating major life transitions, whether due to career disruption, personal crisis, or—like Stanland himself—the aftermath of serious mistakes. His approach emphasizes examining underlying beliefs and assumptions, letting go of identities that no longer serve, and building a life aligned with authentic values and purpose.

Speaking and Writing

In 2020, Stanland delivered a TEDx Talk titled "How I Learned My Greatest Worth in Federal Prison," sharing the insights he gained from his experience of losing everything and rebuilding from scratch. The talk has been viewed by thousands and has established Stanland as a sought-after speaker on topics of resilience, reinvention, and personal transformation.

In May 2021, Stanland published his first book, "Blank Canvas: How I Reinvented My Life after Prison." The book provides a detailed account of his crime, arrest, imprisonment, and subsequent reinvention, offering both a cautionary tale about the slippery slope of ethical compromise and a roadmap for rebuilding after catastrophic failure. The book became a bestseller and has been praised for its honesty and practical insights.

Stanland is currently working on a second book, described as a prequel that explores his life before prison and the gradual series of bad decisions that led to his crime. He hopes the book will help others recognize warning signs in their own behavior and avoid their own rock bottom.

Public Statements and Positions

On the nature of white-collar crime, Stanland has spoken about the incremental nature of ethical compromise, like how small rationalizations can accumulate into serious misconduct. He has described his own fraud as beginning with relatively minor boundary violations that grew over time as he became desensitized to their wrongness.

On prison and rehabilitation, Stanland advocates for approaches that help incarcerated individuals develop self-awareness and prepare for meaningful reentry into society. He has spoken about the transformative potential of programs that encourage reflection and personal growth.

On reinvention, Stanland emphasizes that losing everything, while devastating, can also create opportunities for more authentic living. He encourages clients to view their crises not just as endings but as opportunities to build lives more aligned with their true values and aspirations.

Terminology

• Wire Fraud: A federal crime involving the use of electronic communications to execute a scheme to defraud.

• Service Contract Fraud: A scheme involving false claims under warranty or service agreements to obtain goods or services fraudulently.

• Restitution: Court-ordered payment from the offender to victims to compensate for financial losses caused by the crime.

• Supervised Release: A period of supervision following release from federal prison, during which the offender must comply with specified conditions.

See also

• Jeff Grant
• Prison Consultants
• Reentry and Life After Prison

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was Craig Stanland convicted of?

Craig Stanland was convicted of wire fraud for exploiting Cisco Systems' warranty program, filing hundreds of false claims and causing $834,307 in losses.

Q: How long was Craig Stanland's prison sentence?

Stanland was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, plus $834,307 in restitution.

Q: What does Craig Stanland do now?

Stanland is a 'Reinvention Architect' and mindset coach, author of 'Blank Canvas,' and TEDx speaker helping others rebuild after catastrophic life changes.

Q: What is 'Blank Canvas' about?

'Blank Canvas: How I Reinvented My Life after Prison' documents Stanland's journey from federal inmate to inspirational speaker, offering a cautionary tale and roadmap for rebuilding.

Q: What lessons does Craig Stanland share?

Stanland speaks about how small ethical compromises grow into serious misconduct, the importance of self-reflection, and the possibility of authentic reinvention after failure.