Imagine that you are a borrower on a major commercial real estate project. Your project has plenty of equity but cash flow is tight. Despite the tough economy, you manage to hold on. As things get worse, the designated special servicer on your loan invites you to miss a payment so they can get involved […]
Is the End at Hand for Tracy Sunderlage & Nikolai Battoo?
We have closely followed the many legal cases surrounding Nikolai Battoo and Tracy Sunderlage. Together they, and entities controlled or involved with them, have cost investors hundreds of millions of dollars. Our clients alone have lost many millions. A sampling of the entities connected with the two men or engaged in similar activities include PIWM, […]
Lawyer Indicted For Estate Fraud And Tax Evasion
An attorney in Bucks County, Pennsylvania has been indicted on charges that he stole almost $2 million from a deceased client’s estate. Prosecutors charged attorney Randolph Scott, 70, with mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, tax evasion and failure to file tax returns. If convicted on all the charges, he faces a minimum of 2 years […]
Investment Fraud Roundup – September 2013
This post summarizes recent enforcement actions against stockbrokers. You may be able to recover your money if you suffered losses as a result of investment fraud, unregistered offerings of securities, excessive trades, unauthorized trades, bad investment advice (suitability rules), or broker misconduct. Kevin Cline, Robert Burr, Vincent Christopher & Thomas Gilleland – Source Capital Group Kevin […]
Israeli Tax Cop Indicted for Fraud, Theft
We normally don’t write stories about corrupt cops. But when the cop is a lead investigator in the Israeli Tax Authority and the Israeli Police, we take notice. When we learn that he allegedly targeted the victims of cases he was assigned, we really take notice. The Times of Israel reported earlier this summer that […]
Half of Americans Can’t Spot Fraud – Investment Fraud Post
When I read a headline today in InvestmentNews that said “Financial Fraud is Rampant but Most People Can’t Spot It,” I wasn’t surprised. Because we only handle investment fraud cases with losses of $100,000 or more, most of our clients are savvy, sophisticated men and women. We have represented lawyers, doctors and bank vice presidents. […]
College Pays Millions In Whistleblower Suit
Northwestern University settled federal fraud charges yesterday following a suit filed by a whistleblower under the federal False Claims Act. University administrators agreed to repay the government $3 million although admitted no wrongdoing. False claims act cases against non-profits are still rare but are increasing in frequency. According to the complaint unsealed yesterday, Professor Charles […]
Stock Fraud Post – "Outside Business Activities"
Stock fraud is a hot topic these days. With interest rates at all time lows, investors are demanding higher returns. Financial professionals such as stockbrokers and investment advisers have limited options. Although there are some high yield alternative investments available, most are too risky for the average investor. Good brokers are honest with their clients […]
Whistleblowers Key to Fighting Government Fraud
The federal government loses billions of dollars to fraud every year. Mortgage companies falsify documents in order to earn commissions on loans. When the borrower can’t pay, the FHA or Fannie Mae steps in – your tax dollars. Ditto for doctors that bill Medicare for unnecessary services or services not even performed. Same for vendors […]
Buy America Act – Chinese Steel – Whistleblower Post
During the height of the Great Depression, President Roosevelt and Congress passed a number of measures designed to spur the national economy. Part of Washington’s “New Deal” package was the Buy American Act; a law that required the federal government to prefer American made goods in its purchases. Later, the Buy American law was supplemented […]