Wrongful accusation was a nightmare, but I still chase my dreams
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I trusted someone who I thought was a friend, that’s how it all started. I was young, only 28, and in school to be an X-Ray technician. I didn’t always want that as a career, but in my late twenties I thought the right progression was a career, then a family, then a happy life. Earlier in life I had jumped around jobs, not really sure what I wanted to do, who I wanted to be. I wasn’t motivated to succeed just yet, but then something happened that changed my perspective forever and made my search for myself all the more difficult.
I was wrongly accused of sexual assault and I’ve been paying the price ever since.
The details aren’t important, what is important is the case was dismissed by the State of Florida quickly and completely. However, what remains is an indelible black mark on my reputation as a person because only one side of the story is being told. Nobody knows that 100% of the charges were dropped, they can only see they were wrongfully brought in the first place. You’d think it would be easy to move on, but every time someone Googles my name they get the wrong story first and it’s not easy to overcome. I have interviews for jobs I am more than qualified for, yet I can’t get a call back because even the most basic background checks pull up old, inaccurate articles. I started the process of getting my record expunged, but anyone can tell you it takes more than just a smile.
Being wrongfully accused shattered my life, but it’s not something I wanted to let control me.
At first, I hung my head in shame as I thought friends and family would turn their back on me. The accusations levied against me were completely baseless, but embarrassing and horrible none-the-less. I thought people would believe the things strangers were writing, not what I was saying about the incident. Even after the courts cleared my name, I feared people would always identify me with the past. I was afraid despite all my hard work, eventually my efforts would be pointless because of the preconceived notions people had about me.
I was depressed and that made even the simplest tasks incredibly difficult to accomplish.
However, some time passed and I realized I could take control of the situation and show people who I really am as a person. I started learning about internet marketing and search engine optimization and I realized that there were things I could do to suppress the false articles and get the real me out there for the world to see. I began as a consultant for digital marketing agencies and have started a home business dedicated to helping people become successful entrepreneurs. I had finally found something that made me feel good, and that I was good at, but still it only took one Google search to ruin my chances of getting ahead and growing my business.
When nobody would hire me, I took matters into my own hands and made myself worth hiring.
I taught myself the secrets to success and now I’m passing them on to people all over the country who have a goal they want to reach. I have my own weekly podcast and contribute to entrepreneurs sites across the web. My success didn’t seem possible at first, but I fought through the adversity and now I’m living the life I’ve always wanted.
My daughter is less than a year old, and I want her to think of me as amazing in every way. I’m scared one day she’ll come across the things people used to say about me, and it will change her view of her father. I’m going to try to be the best I can for her every single day so if that does happen, she knows the real me, not the wrongfully accused me from so many years ago. This country isn’t about being innocent until proven guilty anymore, and that’s why my reputation was shattered. There was nothing I could do while the court of public opinion, oblivious to the facts, judged me harshly and the remnants of that still remain online today.
I’m not out to clear my name or present my side of the story here, the criminal justice system already did that when it was obvious the accusations against me were false. I’m writing this so people understand that no matter what obstacles are in front of them, working hard and believing in yourself is always the right move. I found something that I’m good at and it makes me happy. I’m passionate about internet marketing and I want everyone to know it. I can finally tell people who I am without worrying that they will rely old news to wrongfully persecute me. Adapting to problems and fighting through adversity are how I reached success, how will you?
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Hands up how many feminists support making those accused of rape to get anonymity until proven guilty?
Hands up
High five!
@orishM everyone has an opinion and yours is ok. But note “Falsely Accused”
@bobbt No unfortunately the state didnt go after them because of the $$$, according to my Attorney. The title of this was chosen because it did help me become a better man by seeking my goals more. I had taken life to easy and was always a dreaming of a better life but this was the push I needed.
Don’t know anything about this case, but I’m willing to bet that the false accuser never faced even a reprimand for their actions!
*facepalm*
Next on GMP – Why Being Raped Is Character Building
“How Being Wrongfully Accused Helped Me Become a Better Man ”
Wow, a headline that makes it sound like a good thing. You might want to rethink that since false accusations ruin lives.