I think if one is serving time in a half way house, that is not categorized as "released". Not until they actually complete their sentence (or are paroled) would it be noted as "released". But... I don't know that to be fact.
The timing is indeed interesting. As you said, the plot thickens.
Yeah, seven years in a halfway house would be awfully long for someone in their sixties.
One is under the Federal Bureau of Prison's custody until released from Halfway House or House Arrest (bracelet) and then they go to Supervised Release (probation). There is no parole in the Fed Pokey anymore except for those convicted for crimes committed prior to the 1987 Congressional Sentencing Guidelines.
Supervised Release is governed by the Judge's wing of Probationary and Pre-Sentencing Services and is quite distinct from the Bureau of Prisons...a bit more uptown if you will.
NP, I remember Paul well from my Miami days....big shot who fell with BCCI along with scores of other folks. He was very ostentatious and nouveau.