Hi, my name is Michele Danuszar, and I am Douglas Fast's cousin. Doug is a kind, smart and big-hearted man who I love dearly like a brother. I officiated Doug and Annmarie's wedding, and I know how beloved Doug is by many friends and family.

A lot of you might find this presumptuous. However, I hope that you believe in second chances.

We are asking for money to help Doug and Annmarie attorney Norm Pattis fight this malicious prosecution system. Douglas was in recovery and sober for over 25 years. He owned his own painting business; he bought a house, raised a family and then the recession hit in 08. At the same time, he fell off a ladder from the second-story roof. Doug shattered his teeth and broke a leg. The only way he could still work was to take pain pills. The work was slow, and money wasn't available to properly treat his injuries and addiction set in...I am only relating the facts, not making excuses.

As time went on, things became worse, and addiction took over. Crimes were committed, and people were victimized when he stole valuables from wealthy homes. By the time he got caught, he was so full of self-loathing that he tried to have the police end his life, but they didn't. He told them everything so they could close the cases they had no clues or witnesses on. He volunteered all of this information as a way to bring some peace to his conscience.

Doug accepted the offer that the prosecution presented: six years incarceration, five years probation on a 15-year suspended sentence. To the best of his ability, the judge determined that Doug would pay as much as he could toward $60K in restitution. He left the exact amount and methods to probation. Doug was released on administrative probation after two years and he continued to make payments toward restitution.

Fast forward eleven years later, and now we have a man who has worked diligently to remain sober. He is rehabilitated and has been working even harder, despite encountering many people who have not been willing to hire a felon. He also managed to find work during the Covid crisis that hit many of us. Despite these challenges, Doug has successfully built a life for himself by not giving up, working hard, buying a modest home ( through the grace of God) and paying restitution to the best of his ability. He has completely turned his life around.

Currently, the state has violated his probation based on not fully paying said restitution and they have made an offer of 5 years. As you can imagine, this is a death sentence for Doug and his family. Doug is the glue that holds his wife and family together. He is a good, kind man who feels shame for what happened during his addiction.

Please help us hire an attorney that will work towards a fairer solution. He is willing to make fixed payments, put a lien against the house, etc. but to put a 58-year-old man back to prison after returning to being a productive member of society who pays taxes and has been diligently, lawfully rebuilding his life? Putting Doug in jail would be beyond tragic to everyone who loves and respects him.

Please consider any size monetary donation to help us save Doug and his family. Thank you!