Today, we're going to do something a little different: we're going to 'follow along' as a forensic accountant in Phoenix goes through an example investigation. The routine activities of an investigator often start with something akin to the report of a whistleblower who points out a coworker's fraud. Such an event needs to be investigated rapidly in order to prevent further loss as well as to find out how far back the fraud extends -- the key to recovering any losses that have already been incurred. One of the forensic accounting firms Phoenix features will spring to the case, sending out a forensic accountant --...
ReadBy Craig Reinmuth Two founders started TransPerfect Global (TPG) from a dorm room they shared in 1992. It turned into a billion business but ended, however, over the day-to-day management issues between its co-founders, Elizabeth Elting and Philip Shawe (Shawe v. Elting, 2016 BL 232452, Del. Ch., No. 10449-CB, 7/20/2016. During the heat of their management quarrels, Philip "undertook a campaign to spy on Elting (Elizabeth)." He monitored her phone calls and emails, went into her office numerous times at night (e.g. late on New Year's Eve), took her computer and had the hard drive imaged by one of TPG's employees. He...
ReadPrevent and Detect Fraud - What do fraudster's look like? - Hunting down fraud Financial fraud can be devastating, both monetarily and the time that has to be invested. Steps can be taken to prevent fraud and, in the unfortunate situation where it has occurred, it can be tracked down. What do fraudster's look like? You may be surprised! They are commonly well-respected top-executives who have been with an organization at least six years. They typically work well with others. Most fraud occurs within the last 15-30 days of employment....
ReadThose of you who have worked on alter ego cases are aware of the strong burden of proof establishing alter ego and piercing the corporate veil. If successful however, it can open doors of available assets and income that a person is trying to shield from creditors, or their spouse. I was involved with a recent decision in Arizona where the court permitted the corporate veil to be pierced and allowed the assets to be entered into the community estate for division between the parties. This case involved a person who set up a company, back in 1999, to shield and protect his assets from creditors. He funneled his personal income and...
ReadA record number of married couples over age 50 are filing for divorce. Along with this comes unique financial considerations. This article will briefly discuss financial planning considerations and related recommendations. Retirement planning was done assuming they couple would enjoy retirement as a married couple. Now their primary earning years are behind them and less time exists to exists to build the divided retirement funds back up. Both spouses may have to work, and/or work longer. A financial projection should be done estimating the funds that will be available from wages, retirement savings and investments and comparing this to...
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