Fraud: Department of Justice (DOJ) Announces Procurement Collusion Strike Force
On November 5th, the Department of Justice announced the formation of the new Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF) “focusing on deterring, detecting, investigating and prosecuting antitrust crimes, such as bid-rigging conspiracies and related fraudulent schemes, which undermine competition in government procurement, grant and program funding”.The Strike Force is an inter-agency partnership comprised of prosecutors from the Antitrust Division, and prosecutors from thirteen (13) U.S. Attorneys’ Offices. Aiding in the prosecutors’ efforts are investigation partners such as the Offices of Inspector Generals from the Department of Justice, Department of Defense, U.S. Postal Service, and General Services Administration Office. The Department of Justice’s announcement proclaimed that investigating and prosecuting those who “cheat, collude and seek to undermine the integrity of government procurement” will have more to concern themselves with when executing their crimes. Prosecutors and investigators alike expressed enthusiasm to be working as a part of this new team.
FCPA: CEO Overriding/Circumventing and Exploiting Internal Controls, and Issuing False Certifications
Skepticism - A Key Tool in the Fight Against Fraud
“Trust but verify” could be a downright dangerous approach when applied to audit procedures in particular. A much better slogan for fraud deterrence would be, “Trust is a professional hazard.”The implication is that because financial management plays a leading role in detecting financial fraud, it is incumbent on executives – not just auditors – to exercise appropriate levels of professional skepticism. Board members and particularly audit committee members also must take care to exercise a skeptical approach to financial reports and supporting information.
Slush Funds and the Juniper Networks FCPA Settlement
Niki A. den Nieuwenboer will be kicking off the 2020 IIA Philly Fraud Symposium sponsored by Baker Tilly - Mark your calendars for March 20th!
Jonathan T. Marks, Baker Tilly Partner, is Speaking Today at the First Chair Event in Chicago on Triaging Whistleblower Allegations
Crisis Management - Lights, Camera, Action!
Some of the biggest mistakes made when handling a crisis are not dealing with the problem head on, thoughtless or insincere comments, lack of communication with stakeholders, unprepared spokespeople, getting defensive after receiving backlash, or, sitting back and letting the problem grow. Domino's, Sony, Samsung, BP, United Airlines, Equifax, KFC, are all good examples of companies who stumbled with crisis management. Organizations should study these crises and learn from the mistakes!
Theranos: Too Good to Be True!
Foreign Bribery “Nips” Another for About $300 Million
Tone From the Top, the Next Level
As a result of COVID-19, the Board of Directors and Senior Management are challenged to monitor the cultural shifts of their organization and adjust their sensitivity and the frequency of communications as appropriate.Leaders should always try to find ways to talk and engage with their people to motivate them, especially during these uncertain and trying times. If done correctly, talking can be incredibly powerful. It can help relieve anxiety (defined as "a feeling of worry, nervousness or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome") and help people find the strength they didn't know was in them. Studies have shown that talking shuts down the brain's fear center.
New DOJ Guidance Addresses ‘Effectiveness’ of Compliance Programs
DOJ Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs
SEC Challenged Over Delay on Whistleblower Award Decision
Tipsters have grown frustrated with the length of time it has taken the the SEC ("Commission") to determine whether a tip warrants a reward.
PHorensically Speaking Podcast Feed is Live!
With the help from a true friend, Tom Fox, I am entering the world of Podcasting. I will be developing at least three Podcasts per
Baker Tilly’s 2019 Effective Governance and Compliance Roundtable Series - May 1, 2019 - CPE Event in Philadelphia -Using Continuous Auditing and Monitoring in the Fight Against Fraud
Organizations are under increasing scrutiny regarding ethical lapses and allegations of fraud. Fiscal year 2018 was a record-breaking year for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s whistleblower program, as more and more individuals have been coming forward with allegations of impropriety. Come learn how to use continuous auditing and monitoring in the fight against fraud - or help improve your compliance program!
Whistleblower Award: “Smoking Gun Evidence and Indispensable Assistance”
Baker Tilly is proudly is Speaking at 2 Presentations during the 14th Annual Fraud Summit on campus at the University of Texas at Dallas on March 29th, 2019
Fraud Training - The Investigative Interview: Assessing Subject Credibility
This one day Fraud Symposium, hosted by the Institute of Internal Auditors - Philadelphia Chapter, will include other topics such as: Fraud hotlines, Current trends in white-collar crime (FCPA, FCA, etc.), Investigation pitfalls, Third-party risk management, and Compliance and Internal Audit issues.
Fraud Tip Friday: Small Dollars, Big Problems
Last week, a Transit supervisor and five others were charged in connection with a scheme to steal over $2 million from the agency. The kicker: the payments were under the limit of $5,000 – roughly speaking, that’s over 400 payments!
Fraud and Compliance Master Class in Chicago, Illinois on March 20 and 21, 2019
Combating Fraud Through Effective Internal Controls
“Fraud is not an accounting problem; it is a social phenomenon.” Joe WellsMost companies will not readily admit that their organizations may be vulnerable to fraud.According to the 2020 Report to the Nations published by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (“ACFE”), which contains an analysis of approximately 2,500 cases of occupational fraud that were investigated between January 2018 and September 2019, organizations lose 5% of their annual revenues to fraud. While this number is only a general estimate based on the opinion, it represents the collective observations of anti-fraud experts who together have investigated hundreds of thousands of fraud cases. Based on the ACFE’s study, the median loss caused by frauds was $125,000, with 21.0% of the cases resulting in losses of at least $1 million.