We have written many posts about REITs – Real Estate Investment Trusts. They can be great investments but many have liquidity problems. Stockbrokers often recommend them to the wrong customers as well. In May, Massachusetts Secretary of State William Gavin announced that five brokerage firms had agreed to pay restitution of $6.1 million to settle […]
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 […]
Justice Delayed – The Story Of Anderson Scott Hall & Abaco Securities
From 2006 through 2011, Anderson Scott Hall and the company he ran, Abaco Securities International, were household words in Jacksonville, Florida. Abaco conned many Duval County teachers and administrators into turning over their hard earned savings. Prosecutors say millions in savings. Hall’s clients were promised stable, secure investment returns from 6 to 18%. Instead of being invested, […]
No Show Doctor Convicted of Medicare Fraud – Whistleblower Post
New York physician Gustave Drivas was convicted of federal Medicare fraud following a trial in a Brooklyn federal court. He faces 20 years when sentenced later this summer. Medicare fraud costs taxpayers billions each year. Thankfully many of these crimes are solved by whistleblowers. According to court records, Drivas was affiliated with a clinic in […]
Tenants In Common Fraud Leads To Award Against Broker
A Tenants in Common fraud claim resulted in an award against a major brokerage firm earlier this month. According to records obtained from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), ProEquities was hit with a $448,000 arbitration award last week after a customer complained about a failed tenant in common investment. Suzy Asad filed a complaint […]
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 […]
4 Million And Counting – People Facing Wrongful Foreclosure
by Brian Mahany Some call it a national embarrassment. We call it a crime. Wrongful Foreclosure. It’s happened to millions of Americans and it still happening today. The Comptroller of Currency and the Federal Reserve say that as many as 4 million people were wrongfully foreclosed between 2009 and 2010. Some were promised a HAMP […]
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 […]
TIC Hall of Fame or Wall of Shame?
by Brian Mahany Recently a client sent me a list of TIC promoters. I am not sure about the list’s accuracy but we certainly recognize many of the names. TIC– short for Tenant in Common – became a popular investment vehicle for people wishing to invest in large real estate projects. A TIC is a […]
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