I recently attended a program sponsored by the International Law Enforcement Auditor’s Association on performance auditing in a police environment. It was an engaging and important event What is performance auditing and why would an organization choose to conduct one? The United States Government Accountability Office, Government Auditing Standards (the “The Yellow Book”), defines performance [...]
Amazing event to help women and girls
How inspiring! Last week I was privileged to attend a special breakfast event, in the company of several FFP guests, sponsored by the Canadian Women’s Foundation. It was a fundraiser to help women in Canada move out of poverty by funding life-changing programs designed especially for them. Through CWF’s unique programs, the women can learn [...]
Timing Essential When Obtaining Bank Documents
I recently worked with counsel on a large-scale investigation that involved, among other aspects, extensive banking transactions. We needed to see, at least, copies of the original documents and had a court order to have them produced. The bank said it was happy to comply with the order. However, there was a slight problem. That [...]
Yet Another Ponzi Scheme
In the wake of convictions against fraudsters Bernie Madoff and Earl Jones comes yet another charge of running a Ponzi scheme. This time the alleged culprit is Ray Bitar, CEO of Full Tilt Poker, an online gambling site that is said to have taken in about $1 billion since it was founded in 2004. According [...]
Assisting Law Enforcement and Regulatory Bodies Adapt to Challenges
Canadian law enforcement and regulatory organizations face considerable challenges in today’s society. I know this firsthand because I’ve recently retired from 26 years at the OPP, where I held several senior positions. The Canadian public’s expectation for law and order is well documented. So too is the concern, through virtually every sector of our society, [...]
When Competitors Work Together
I recently worked as an affiliate for a competitor on a complex international file. One thing that especially impressed me was the ease at which both firms collaborated. I find this to be the norm rather than the exception in the world of investigative and forensic accounting. If there’s a job to do, and it [...]
When do you hire?
It’s a tricky question I imagine many, if not all, professional firms have to face: when is the right time to hire more professional staff? Do you add to your staff before the work comes in? There are many advantages to doing so. Your new hire(s) will likely be more up-to-speed when the new files [...]
New Fraud Provisions Good But Not Enough
In May federal legislators passed Bill C-21 in Parliament, which received Royal Assent just before the federal election. In essence the bill was enacted in response to the soft stance the courts have taken over the years with respect to sentencing regarding fraud and white-collar crime. While I consider the new provisions to be a [...]
LECG On the Ropes
In the spring of 2009 Froese Forensic Partners Ltd. purchased the Canadian assets of LECG, an international expert services company. LECG is now in the process of blowing itself up, facing a cash crisis in trying to fund debt coming due at the end of March. LECG is selling off its most valuable assets and is [...]
In Memory of a Fallen Hero
Today I witnessed more than 10,000 strong come together in solidarity to remember the life of Sgt. Ryan Russell. The streets of Toronto were saturated with law enforcement officers and emergency service personnel from all across North America, marching in perfect cadence, all with a common purpose. They piled into the Toronto Convention Centre, filling [...]
