How many times did you submit for reconsideration? When was the last time, did you give specific examples of what you fixed?
I assume most of the link building was done to your homepage? If so, download all links pointing to your homepage with GWMT and use this tool to go through them one at a time.
http://www.bad-neighborhood.com/text-link-tool.htm
a) If you see a site that looks shady reach out to the webmaster and tell him you need the site removed. Keep a record so you can follow up. Shady means links to adult, casino and med sites.
b) Remove any sitewide links pointing to your site
c) remove any sites linking to you that are penalized in Google
Time consuming process, but as you make progress you can submit reconsideration requests periodically explaining what steps you are taking to come back into compliance. Admit that you were link building and that you fired your SEO guy right away. Explain the steps you are taking to reverse the damage he did and how it really affected your business. Promise to not engage in link building again - be humble and appreciative.
Sometimes you need to fix and fix and submit 4 or 5 times before Google releases the penalty.