How is Affinity Fraud Accomplished? Typically a fraudster embodies or personifies ideals held by the group to be very advantageous. In some situations this could be a member of poor community that shows outward signs of success, such as rolling into the community in a Bentley, or an older individual that boasts great success in [...]
Former Detroit Mayor Back in the News In June of 2011 I wrote about former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who has been back in the news, for a conviction on a plethora of charges, including racketeering, fraud, and extortion. He was found guilty of 24 of the 30 charges brought against him. Kilpatrick was joined [...]
Municipal Fraud- West Linn Part 1 of 3 Municipal fraud is all around us explains Richard Seals CFE, CPA, CMA in his recent article: From First to Worst in Fraud-Magazine. http://www.fraud-magazine.com/article.aspx?id=4294977156 West Linn, Oregon’s former city finance director, Elma Magkamit, was a compulsive gambler. She also lied about being both a college graduate and a [...]
It's always stunning to me how many families represent almost no taxable income but live in splendor in vast palatial estates in fancy neighborhoods. They often have a matched pair of incredibly expensive German cars in the driveway. Their kids go to private schools and the family passports are stamped from a variety of exotic [...]
At least this time is was in Las Vegas. Over 10 years apparently he pocketed $650k. Again ... no one ran into this guy in the casino? I'm just saying ... Some parishioners believed that he had a Robin Hood-type reason to steal. Remember, they're called con men because THEY GAIN YOUR CONFIDENCE AND THEY [...]
Can I say "crappy"? Yes, I believe I can. And did. Apparently, First 5 Los Angeles has accumulated $800 million of taxpayer money that they're sitting on. They apparently spend $180 million per year but can't quite spend the whole amount they get ... so it sits in the bank. THAT'S OUR MONEY PEOPLE! "An [...]
ZZZ Best superstar Barry Minkow, King of the Ponzi's, became a preacher, a self-appointed fraud detector and finally a stock manipulator. Now he gets 5 years in the clink. for securities fraud. A good friend told me once ... the way someone does something, is the way they do everything. (translation ... Leopards don't often [...]
Our now well known buddy, Robert Rizzo apparently secreted away $4.5mm in a hidden pension account. What I want to know is who the heck found this slush fund? My hat is off to the forensic accountants who discovered it.
Companies and Non-Profits ... please check your auditor's license. If it is not current or is suspended, there most likely is a reason. Always log on to your state board of accountancy website and license check before giving them work. Auditors ... please do the same with the prior auditors ... and do a google [...]
A new senate bill will give California State Auditors the right to dig into the books and expenditures of cities. This in in response to the Bell scandal. Apparently 50 groups have been ratted on by whistleblowers!
