Accountants and tax lawyers are seeing a rise in IRS audits directed at companies using captive insurance arrangements. While big businesses have long used captives as a way of managing risk, IRS efforts appear to be directed at smaller companies that rely on section 831(b) of the tax code. (In July we reported on the […]
FIRREA – An Overlooked Whistleblower Tool?
I chuckled this morning when reading the paper. The big financial news this week is the Department of Justice suit against Bank of America for the sale of residential mortgage backed securities. The article claims the plaintiff’s bar “is abuzz” over the government’s use of a little known law called the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery […]
Whistleblowers to Receive $361,000 in Land Mine Detector Case
Two former executives of CyTerra Corporation became whistleblowers and are now slated to receive $361,000 for their efforts in uncovering pricing problems with their former company. CyTerra manufactures portable land mine detectors for the U.S. military. Earlier this month federal prosecutors settled with the company for $1.9 million. In 2003, the Army contracted with CyTerra […]
Elder Abuse Post: Bank VP Charged With Stealing From Elderly Client
Elder abuse happens daily. Because it’s victims are often incapacitated or to scared to seek help, the problems don’t get the attention they deserve. Some elder abuse victims are so ill they don’t even understand that they are being victimized. As a society, we hope that caring family members, lawyers, social service providers and bankers […]
Stoel Rives Hit With Legal Malpractice Verdict
Jurors in Park City, Utah found prominent West Coast law firm Stoel Rives guilty of legal malpractice in a botched real estate development deal. The firm must now pay their former client $12.8 million in damages. The suit also named one of the firm’s top real estate and construction law partners, Thomas Ellison. According to […]
Fake Drugs Represent New Whistleblower Opportunity
Fake and gray market pharmaceuticals represent a growing problem in the United States. Medical providers pressed by mounting costs sometimes resort to purchasing drugs manufactured in Turkey, India and other foreign countries. Unless produced in an FDA inspected facility, there is no way to insure those drugs are safe or even contain the prescribed amount […]
Lance Armstrong Named In Whistleblower Suit
by Brian Mahany Almost 2 years ago, Floyd Landis filed a false claims act (whistleblower) suit against teammate Lance Armstrong. That complaint remained under seal for over two years while the government investigated. Several weeks ago, the government intervened and adopted the action against Armstrong. The government seeks return of some $17 million in sponsorship […]
FINRA Issues Warning On Nontraded REITs – Stockbroker Fraud Post
We have written several times about the dangers of nontraded or thinly traded REITs. They are a popular way of investing in real estate but they can be difficult to sell or liquidate if an investor suddenly needs cash. There are other potential pitfalls as well. This week the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority – FINRA […]
Deadly Healthcare – Rewarding Hospitals For Mistakes (Health Care Fraud Post)
by Brian Mahany Doctors, nurses and health care workers deserve the utmost respect. 99% of them do a wonderful job, even in less than ideal conditions. Unfortunately, the Institute of Medicine says that hospital errors kill 100,000 Americans per year according to an article published by Yahoo Health. If that number is correct, that is […]
Rescission – A Great Method To Get Out Of A Bad Investment
by Brian Mahany For most consumer purchases, getting a refund for a defective product or service that doesn’t meet our expectation is a relatively easy process. Purchase a hedge fun or private placement and its impossible. You may be able to sell the investment but thats much different than obtaining a refund. In most instances, […]
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