Interim Treasurer Fiatala Manu of the First Samoan Christian Congregational Church in Santa Ana has recently been charged with the embezzlement of upwards of $110,000. It is alleged that Manu wrote checks to himself from church bank accounts to feed a gambling addiction. He was called on the carpet about it when an [...]
As moneys become tight and budgets continue to be squeezed, financial vigilance must be increased. Anti-fraud controls must be developed. Systems must continue to be reviewed and analyzed to reduce the chance of fraud. This problem at the Santa Clara Unified School District may have been averted with proper internal oversight. The link will also [...]
This time is was $900k being separated from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. What's killing me it that it was the CFO. Another clue, from the article "...she liked to play the slots at the Borgata casino in Atlantic City...". Over a 6 year period of time this money diss appeared. Would had been discovered if [...]
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 [...]
Now the Mayor of Compton alleges fraud. Who knew? It stopped the City from getting a line of credit to handle the $41mm deficit. Good luck getting an opinion from the auditors. Apparently the last audit had a "going concern clause". Here's hoping the auditor gives an opinion (rather than disclaiming). Oh ... what a [...]
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 [...]
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!
State of California State Auditor John Chiang says Mayer Hoffman McCann did a bum job. Mayer Hoffman McCann says they were deceived. IMO (in my opinion) it is ridiculous that an auditee (say the City of Bell) get's to pick their own auditor. The job of the auditor in this situation is to please the [...]
Our "Den of Thieves" have been uncovered, announced and arrested. Who knows whether it will stick ... but ... it's a start. (These are certain officials at the City of Bell, CA) This NPR interview asks the prime question ... How did a 2 1/2 mile square city, of 40,000 impoverished citizens wind up with [...]
