tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32092800037477710862024-03-18T02:03:17.039-04:00Fraud TalkFraudTalk is a blog focused on the review and discussion of recent significant cases of fraud, corruption and employee misconduct - particularly major embezzlement cases in the US. Fraud Talk is published by Chris Marquet, Chairman & CEO of Marquet International Ltd., an international investigations, litigation support and due diligence firm. Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.comBlogger3140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-68163123659936673432020-05-06T00:09:00.001-04:002020-05-06T00:10:48.916-04:00Chris Marquet Joins Veritas Assurance Partners<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Effective January 1, 2020, following the sale of SunBlock Systems, I am
excited to share the news that I have become a full Partner of Veritas
Assurance Partners, an international risk consulting and investigative firm
based in Miami.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be continuing my
investigative, integrity due diligence & litigation support services as I
have done with Marquet International since 2006.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Veritas Assurance Partners was founded in
2010 by two outstanding professionals in the risk and investigations space,
Billy Marlin, a financial investigator with a specialty in Latin American
projects whom I have known since my days at Kroll Associates; and Manny
Supervielle, a retired Colonel in the US Army JAG Corps, who now advises
companies operating in high risk countries in the Middle East and failed states
around the globe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With my expertise in North
America, Europe and Africa, our combination enhances an already first-class risk
and investigations consultancy for the legal community, multinational
companies, investment firms and government agencies. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My contact information with Marquet
International will remain in effect, but can also be reached at </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk29212990;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">cmarquet@veritasap.com</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk29212990;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For more
information, visit </span></span><a href="http://www.veritasap.com/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk29212990;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.veritasap.com</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk29212990;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> and </span></span><a href="http://www.marquetinternational.com/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk29212990;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">www.marquetinternational.com</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk29212990;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-1208574659472047202017-03-21T18:00:00.001-04:002017-03-21T18:00:01.754-04:00Marquet International to Merge with SunBlock SystemsWe are pleased to announce that Marquet International has merged with SunBlock Systems, a leading computer forensics, cyber-investigations, e-discovery and digital security firm based in Washington, DC. <br />
<br />
Read the press release <a href="http://www.marquetinternational.com/pdf/Sunblock-Systems---Marquet-International-PR-3.21.17.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
My note to clients reads in part as follows:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="margin: 0px;">After 11 years of leading <a href="http://www.marquetinternational.com/" target="_blank">Marquet International</a>, I have decided to merge my firm with <a href="http://www.sunblocksystems.com/" target="_blank">SunBlock Systems, Inc</a>. – a
leading computer forensics, e-discovery, cyber-investigations and digital
security firm. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In my new role, I will be
leading SunBlock’s expanded Investigative Services Division. </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I will continue to work with clients to
provide the top-notch investigative, due diligence and special fact-finding
services you have come to expect from Marquet International – and now I will be
able to provide many more critical services. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>By combining Marquet International’s expertise
and experience investigating complex issues and SunBlock’s technology-related fact-finding
and litigation support services, we are creating the NexGen investigative and
security consulting firm.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We can now
develop business intelligence, evidence and provide security in the digital
world as well as in the physical world. </blockquote>
<br />
We intend to keep this blog alive and going. Hopefully we'll be able to keep it more up to date.<br />
<br />
Chris<br />
<br />
<br />Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-89415261595080863662017-01-19T14:38:00.001-05:002017-01-19T14:38:35.739-05:00Former Business Manager Admits He Embezzled More Than $6.5 Million From Clients, Including $4.8 Million From Alanis MorissetteFrom <i><a href="http://deadline.com/2017/01/alanis-morissette-manager-embezzlement-plea-deal-jonathan-schwartz-1201889344/" target="_blank">Deadline Hollywood</a></i> on 1/18/17:<br />
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<b>Jonathan Todd Schwartz</b>, an entertainment and sports manager, admitted in court papers today that he embezzled more than $6.5 million from his clients – including $4.8 million from singer <b>Alanis Morissette</b>.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Schwartz, a former partner at <b>GSO Business Management</b> in Sherman Oaks, CA, admitted in a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s office that he took clients’ money for himself and falsified account records to conceal the embezzlement of client funds. He’s been charged with wire fraud and subscribing to a false tax return for failing to disclose the embezzled funds to the Internal Revenue Service.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Besides the money he embezzled from Morissette, who sued him last year for stealing more than $4 million from her, he also admitted in his plea agreement that he embezzled more than $1 million from another unnamed client and concealed the embezzlement by falsely coding the unauthorized cash withdrawals as money used for the client’s home renovations. He also admitted that that he embezzled $737,500 from yet another unnamed client and forged that client’s signature on at least two cash receipts.</blockquote>
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...</blockquote>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-45997217660554914762017-01-12T14:05:00.001-05:002017-01-12T14:05:59.001-05:00Economic Forecasts Suggest Business Opportunities - But Risks PersistRead our article, <i><a href="http://www.hamersleypartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Marquet-Intl-2017-Economic-Outlook-Opportunities-Risks-Report.pdf" target="_blank">Economic Forecasts Suggest Business Opportunities Ahead – But Persistent Risks in 2017 and Beyond Require Vigilance</a></i>. Optimistic outlook for 2017 and beyond will spark corporate, institutional and individual investment opportunities as well as increased M&A activity. However, global risks persist and should be monitored and mitigated. <br />
<br />
Read the whole white paper <a href="http://www.hamersleypartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Marquet-Intl-2017-Economic-Outlook-Opportunities-Risks-Report.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-40113356453775629372017-01-09T11:52:00.002-05:002017-01-09T11:52:22.531-05:00Federal Authorities Investigating Possible $2.6 Million Embezzlement In OklahomaFrom the <i><a href="http://www.hpj.com/livestock/oklahoma-beef-checkoff-investigates-million-embezzlement/article_50ba7866-d459-11e6-800e-53d91893a1b7.html" target="_blank">High Plains / Midwest Journal</a></i> on 1/8/17:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The <b>Oklahoma Beef Council</b> has confirmed that federal authorities are investigating a possible $2.5 million embezzlement by a now former employee of the Council. Harvest Public Media, a collaboration by public radio stations in several High Plains states, broke the news on Jan. 5.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A statement by Heather Buckmaster, chief executive officer of the Oklahoma Beef Council, reads that results on an internal investigation into potential wrongdoing has been turned over to federal authorities in Oklahoma. “Due to an ongoing criminal case and civil matters, we are limited in the details we can share,” Buckmaster said in the statement.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
She did point out how the alleged crime was discovered. “When initial evidence was discovered, we immediately terminated the employee and hired an accounting firm to perform an extensive forensic analysis and assessment, which documented $2.6 million in employee theft between 2009-2016. The Oklahoma Beef Council provided this information to Federal authorities in September to ensure swift action could be taken. Our goal throughout this process has been to speed recovery and restitution to the greatest extent possible. The board of directors and staff have cooperated fully with Federal authorities as the investigation has moved forward.”</blockquote>
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... </blockquote>
<br />
Read the whole story <a href="http://www.hpj.com/livestock/oklahoma-beef-checkoff-investigates-million-embezzlement/article_50ba7866-d459-11e6-800e-53d91893a1b7.html" target="_blank">here</a>.Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-42214281865589301952017-01-06T16:43:00.001-05:002017-01-06T16:43:31.892-05:00California Man, 2 Other former Tribal Officials, Charged In $6 Million Embezzlement Of Tribal FundsFrom the <i><a href="http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article124843754.html" target="_blank">Sacramento Bee</a> </i>on 1/5/17:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Three former officials of the tribe that owns the <b>Rolling Hills Casino</b> in Corning were indicted Thursday on charges they embezzled at least $6 million from the tribal coffers and used the money to purchase cars, international junkets, gold coins and landscaping for their homes with such features as koi ponds and a putting green.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The 69-count indictment by a federal grand jury in Sacramento alleges that <b>John Crosby</b>, the tribe’s onetime economic development director; <b>Ines Crosby</b>, his mother and the former tribal administrator; and <b>Leslie Lohse</b>, Ines Crosby’s sister and the former tribal treasurer, engaged in a sweeping conspiracy to loot the tribal bank accounts, then lied to FBI agents investigating the matter.</blockquote>
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The indictment follows years of controversy involving the tribal government and the casino. Warring factions in the tribe at various times engaged in an armed standoff outside the casino, went to court over control of the casino and endured a cyberattack that destroyed computer records – one that the indictment blames on the three defendants.</blockquote>
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... </blockquote>
Read the whole story <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article124843754.html" target="_blank">here</a>.Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-63657432320460169692017-01-05T12:35:00.006-05:002017-01-05T12:35:59.763-05:00Michigan Woman Sentenced In $2 Million Credit Union Embezzlement CaseFrom the <i><a href="http://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/local/westland/2017/01/04/westland-woman-sentenced-2-million-theft/96147130/" target="_blank">Detroit Free Press</a></i> on 1/4/17:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
She gambled, bought a Mercedes and big motor home, took luxury vacations.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Now, a Westland woman convicted of stealing millions from a veterans credit union she ran will have up to 20 years in prison to ponder her actions.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who called the crime "despicable," announced Thursday that <b>Fuataina Afutiti</b> of Westland has been sentenced to a minimum of 2½ years and up to 20 years in prison for stealing nearly $2 million from the <b>Veterans Health Administration Credit Union</b>, although defense attorneys said she is likely to serve the minimum term,</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Afutiti not only took advantage of her position as president and CEO of the credit union, she "took advantage of military veterans, many of whom were disabled or on a fixed income,” Schuette said.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Individuals who served and sacrificed for this country deserve the utmost respect, but instead the members of the credit union were victimized. I am pleased to see this verdict," he said in a news release.</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Afutiti, 50, pleaded guilty to one count of receiving proceeds from a continuing criminal enterprise and one count of embezzlement from a credit union, according to the release. She was sentenced Dec. 29 before Wayne County Circuit Judge David Groner.</blockquote>
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...</blockquote>
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Read the whole story <a href="http://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/local/westland/2017/01/04/westland-woman-sentenced-2-million-theft/96147130/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-53975437360991539792017-01-03T21:23:00.000-05:002017-01-03T21:23:12.998-05:00Upstate New York Woman Charged With Embezzling $1 Million+ From Automotive FirmFrom <i><a href="http://www.wkbw.com/news/automotive-employee-accused-of-stealing-more-than-1-million" target="_blank">WKBW Buffalo</a></i> on 1/3/17:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
An East Aurora woman stands accused of stealing more than $1 million dollars over the past five years from <b>Towne Automotive</b> in Orchard Park.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Police say <b>Billie Becker</b>, 55, had been using company funds to pay for personal accounts since at least 2012. She had worked for Towne since 2001, serving as controller for the past eight years.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
According to detectives, the company became aware of the theft when a credit card company called to ask about a credit card the company was not aware of.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
...</blockquote>
Read the whole story <a href="http://www.wkbw.com/news/automotive-employee-accused-of-stealing-more-than-1-million" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<br />Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-18370415413908262592017-01-02T12:46:00.000-05:002017-01-02T12:46:02.172-05:00Maryland Woman Indicted On Embezzlement & Fraud Charges In $1.8 Million Theft From BankFrom the <i><a href="http://patch.com/maryland/perryhall/nottingham-woman-indicted-embezzlement-fraud-charges" target="_blank">Perry Hall Patch</a></i> on 12/31/2016:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A Nottingham woman was indicted on federal charges of embezzlement and fraud. <b>Melissa Strohman</b>, 54, former senior vice president of a Maryland bank, is accused of stealing more than $1.8 million by making unauthorized transfers and withdrawals from customers' accounts, according to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
From April 2010 to July 2016, Strohman allegedly took money from six customers at the federal savings bank where she worked to pay for her and her family's mortgages, credit cards and property taxes, the U.S. Attorney reported. Two of the victims were deceased and three of the clients were more than 80 years old.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
...</blockquote>
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Read the whole story <a href="http://patch.com/maryland/perryhall/nottingham-woman-indicted-embezzlement-fraud-charges" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-24801698352876525532016-12-29T13:11:00.000-05:002016-12-29T13:11:08.279-05:00Wisconsin Couple Charged With Embezzling $190K From ChurchFrom the <i><a href="http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/4187424-wis-couple-charged-embezzling-190000-rural-church" target="_blank">Duluth News Tribune</a></i> on 12/27/2016:<br />
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RUSH RIVER, Wis. - St. Croix County authorities allege a Roberts woman and her husband embezzled about $190,000 from a rural church here over the course of nearly 10 years.<br />
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Kara K. Amundson-LaVenture and Michael LaVenture return to court next week on felony theft charges. LaVenture’s charges stipulate he was party to a crime. Amundson-LaVenture also faces one count of unauthorized identity use, a felony. A preliminary hearing in both cases is set for Tuesday, Jan. 3.<br />
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The couple was responsible for $167,551 in unauthorized checks and $21,898 in missing cash from New Centerville United Methodist Church, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case. The charges allege the thefts occurred between February 2006 and May 2015.<br />
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...<br />
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Read the whole story <a href="http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/4187424-wis-couple-charged-embezzling-190000-rural-church" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-81541781352768720952016-12-22T14:28:00.000-05:002016-12-22T14:28:54.379-05:00Happy HolidaysMarquet International wishes you a happy holiday season and a safe and prosperous 2017.<br />
<br />
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<br />Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-19657184720735002902016-12-19T12:49:00.002-05:002016-12-19T12:49:49.042-05:00Former Fire Captain In California Accused Of Embezzling Nearly $300K From UnionA former fire captain in Lodi, California has been accused of embezzling $297K from local fire fighter's union where he had served as treasurer. From the <i><a href="http://www.lodinews.com/news/article_8fcc719a-c422-11e6-b04e-674a56858879.html" target="_blank">Lodi News-Sentinel</a></i> on 12/16/2016:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A former Lodi firefighter is facing felony charges after allegedly embezzling $297,000 from the Lodi Professional Firefighters Union. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
According to court records, Captain Oscar Picazo, who served as the union’s treasurer, has been charged with grand theft by embezzlement over $950, taking, damaging or destroying property over $200 and theft of more than $100,000.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Picazo will be arraigned next Thursday at 9:15 a.m. at the Lodi branch of the San Joaquin County Superior Court.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Picazo, who was nominated union treasurer in December of 2003, resigned from both the union and his position at the Lodi Fire Department in September of this year after the city launched an investigation into the matter.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The union released a statement that read: “While the media has only recently learned of the criminal charges brought against Mr. Picazo the Lodi Professional Firefighters has been coping with the damage inflicted by him for several months. The LPF was very disappointed to discover that Mr. Picazo violated the trust placed in him by the union. Although Mr. Picazo did not take any public funds, the fact that Mr. Picazo would defraud his friends and colleagues makes this situation all the more disheartening. The Lodi Professional Firefighters appreciates the thorough investigation of this matter by local law enforcement and the District Attorney’s efforts to protect the interests of the LPF and its members. Given that the LPF and its members are the victims in this matter we have no further comment until the conclusion of all legal proceedings.”</blockquote>
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Read the whole story <a href="http://www.lodinews.com/news/article_8fcc719a-c422-11e6-b04e-674a56858879.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-28034479222627554232016-07-20T17:26:00.002-04:002016-07-20T17:26:44.856-04:00Former Head of Credit Union Pleads Guilty To Embezzling Nearly $2.5 Million; Was Employed There For 37 YearsFrom the <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/former-credit-union-employee-admits-embezzling-nearly-25-million" target="_blank">FBI</a> on 7/19/2016:<br />
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On July 15, 2016, <b>Linda Lee C</b>lark, 68, of Corydon, Iowa, waived indictment and pleaded guilty to an United States Attorney’s Information to one count of embezzlement by a credit union employee, announced United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Clark admitted to embezzling $2,494,809 of funds from the <b>SCICAP Credit Union</b> in Chariton, Iowa, from the time she began working there as a bookkeeper in 1978 until she resigned in August 2015. Clark redirected account holders’ deposits into her own personal account and the accounts of her children; and initiated unauthorized withdrawals of funds from member accounts into her own personal account and the accounts of her children. Clark concealed the embezzlement by maintaining two sets of accounting records on the Credit Union’s data processing system. As a result of Clark’s embezzlement, the Credit Union became insolvent and was forced into liquidation.<br />
<br />
Clark faces a potential statutory sentence of up to thirty (30) years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and a term of up to three (3) years of supervised release to follow any term of imprisonment. As part of the plea agreement, Clark agreed to pay restitution. Sentencing is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 15, 2016, before United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger at the United States Courthouse in Des Moines.<br />
<br />Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-71848735808016603842016-07-19T14:50:00.000-04:002016-07-19T14:50:17.758-04:00Former Head of Long Island Non-Profit Accused of Embezzling Nearly $1 Million - Supported Lavish LifestyleFrom the <i><a href="http://nypost.com/2016/07/18/ex-charity-boss-accused-of-embezzling-nearly-1m/" target="_blank">New York Post</a></i> on 7/18/16:<br />
<br />
The head of a Long Island not-for-profit organization swiped nearly $1 million in “consulting fees” to pay for her lavish lifestyle, which included cosmetic surgery, family vacations, spa treatments and her $1.3 million home, federal authorities in Brooklyn charged Monday.<br />
<b><br /></b>
Wafa Abboud allegedly ripped off $900,000 from <b>Human First I</b>nc., a social-services provider for those with autism and other developmental disabilities, between January 2011 and May 2016, according to a criminal complaint.<br />
<br />
She served as executive director of the nonprofit from 2010 through May 2016, when she was fired.<br />
The organization paid at least $16,000 a month — and sometimes more — to consulting firm MPB Management, a company run by one of Abboud’s cohorts, Marcelle Bailey, court papers say.<br />
<br />
A federal investigation found that after the money was transferred to MPB Management, Abboud, 48, used the firm’s bank account to pay off at least $114,000 in personal credit-card debt she had racked up on vacations, jewelry and dining out, officials charged.<br />
<br />
She also allegedly wired about $67,000 from MPB Management accounts to herself — and drew checks from it, including $8,000 for a “cosmetic-surgery bill,” according to the court complaint.<br />
<br />
About $340,000 in ill-gotten gains were used as a down payment on Abboud’s home in Merrick, LI.<br />
She is also accused of swiping more than $3,5000 to pay for property taxes.<br />
<br />
Abboud and a co-defendant, Rami Misbah Taha, crafted a similar money-laundering scheme when it came to funding renovations for the home, according to the complaint.<br />
<br />
Human First paid out more than $400,000 to a company controlled by Taha for purported “repairs” to its facilities — but the money was then funneled to a construction business that was doing upgrades on Abboud’s abode, the court documents say.<br />
<br />
Prosecutors say Abboud also wired more than $23,000 to people in Morocco and Egypt between 2012 and 2014.<br />
<br />
Abboud, Taha and Bailey were indicted last week on charges of embezzlement, conspiracy, money laundering, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud for allegedly making false statements in order to secure a $1 million mortgage for the Merrick house.<br />
<br />
They were arrested on the charges last month and released on bail, according to court records.<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-80964043427401582082016-06-23T21:37:00.001-04:002016-06-23T21:37:26.888-04:00Marquet International's White Collar Rogue's Gallery Updated With a Dozen New Profiles<a href="http://www.marquetinternational.com/rogues.php" target="_blank">Marquet International's White Collar Rogue's Gallery</a> has been updated to include a dozen new major fraudster profiles. Read all about these notorious white collar rogues on our website <a href="http://www.marquetinternational.com/rogues.php" target="_blank">here</a>. Let us know if you have a worthy infamous candidate or two for our next update by emailing us at info@marquetinternational.com. Enjoy!Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-47545747582563095552016-06-18T14:27:00.001-04:002016-06-18T14:27:18.037-04:00County Deputy Sheriff In Virginia Sentenced For Embezzling $229KPublic corruption is endemic, even in law enforcement circles. From the <i><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/former-loudoun-county-deputy-gets-three-year-sentence-for-embezzlement/2016/06/17/d1e87288-34a6-11e6-8ff7-7b6c1998b7a0_story.html" target="_blank">Washington Post</a></i> on 6/17/2016:<br />
<br />
Claiming not to remember the past decade was not a good way try to escape hard time — at least not for <b>Frank Pearson</b>, a former Loudoun County sheriff’s deputy sentenced Friday to three years in prison for embezzlement.<br />
<br />
Pearson, who from 2010 to 2013 stole $229,000 in forfeited assets he was charged with overseeing, maintained throughout his trial that he had amnesia covering 10 years.<br />
<br />
U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III, who presided over Pearson’s bench trial and found him guilty, said Friday that he does not believe the claim.<br />
<br />
“You may have convinced yourself that you don’t remember these events,” Ellis said, but “your claim of amnesia doesn’t resonate with me.”<br />
<br />
Defense attorneys said before the trial that in October 2013, after Pearson’s wife found him unresponsive on the bathroom floor of the family’s home, he woke up thinking the year was 2001 and he was unable to recognize friends he had met after that year.<br />
<br />
<div>
</div>
Ellis noted Friday that a physician was unable to confirm Pearson’s memory loss and had deemed the ex-deputy fit to stand trial.<br />
<br />
“I grew up in a society where corruption was rife,” said Ellis, who was born in Colombia. “Corruption by government can kill a society.”<br />
<br />
Prosecutors noted that not all of the lost funds have been accounted for. The night before he was due to meet with supervisors who had grown suspicious, Pearson was seen leaving the office with two boxes that another deputy said contained rolls of coins.<br />
...<br />
<br />
Read the whole story <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/former-loudoun-county-deputy-gets-three-year-sentence-for-embezzlement/2016/06/17/d1e87288-34a6-11e6-8ff7-7b6c1998b7a0_story.html" target="_blank">here</a>.Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-61811023442560568862016-06-17T13:20:00.001-04:002016-06-17T13:20:17.419-04:00Illinois Woman Charged With Embezzling $370K From Assisted Living FacilityAnother shameless example of brazen fraud involving a bookkeeper willing to fleece her employer with no apparent concern about the consequences. From <a href="http://www.wlsam.com/2016/06/17/des-plaines-woman-charged-in-embezzlement-scheme/" target="_blank">WLS 860 AM</a> on 6/17/16:<br />
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A north suburban woman was charged Wednesday in an embezzlement scheme that allegedly stole more than $370,000 from <b>Econocare</b>, a Lincolnwood assisted living company she worked for.<br />
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b>Shawna Wolff-Geisler</b>, 41, of Des Plaines was charged with a felony counts of continuing financial crimes enterprise and theft, according to a statement from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Wolff-Geisler was charged following an investigation initiated by the Lincolnwood Police Department and the financial crimes units of the Cook County sheriff’s police and Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office after she was terminated from the company in 2015, according to the statement.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Prosecutors said Wolff-Geisler was fired from Econocare in August 2015, after which a financial inspection was preformed. The inspection allegedly revealed numerous suspicious checks were written from the company’s bank account and made payable to Wolff-Geisler. An investigation found about 80 checks were written to Wolff-Geisler with a forged signature of the company’s CEO, prosecutors said.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">...</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Read the whole story <a href="http://www.wlsam.com/2016/06/17/des-plaines-woman-charged-in-embezzlement-scheme/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-87476145373643875202016-06-16T16:30:00.002-04:002016-06-16T16:30:37.954-04:00Marquet Internatinonal's Resume Liar's Club Now Updated With A Dozen New ProfilesMarquet International's popular <a href="http://www.marquetinternational.com/liars.htm" target="_blank">Resume Liar's Club</a> compendium has been updated on our website with a dozen new profiles. We provide these examples in order to remind our clients how important it is to conduct regular background checks on employees and to thoroughly vet key officers and directors. <a href="http://www.marquetinternational.com/" target="_blank">Marquet International</a> provides clients with hand crafted due diligence reports on principals, officers, directors and other key executives and corporate entities in corporate financing transactions, mergers & acquisitions, know your customer investigations, litigation support efforts and pre-employment screening, to name a few. <br />
<br />
Check out the updated <a href="http://www.marquetinternational.com/liars.htm" target="_blank">Resume Liars Club here</a>.Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-25545496590355381372016-06-13T08:51:00.004-04:002016-06-13T08:51:59.435-04:00Former Bookkeeper Of Oklahoma Oil Pipe Supply Company Charged With Embezzling $7 MillionFrom <i><a href="http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/energy/former-bookkeeper-charged-in-million-embezzlement-scheme/article_9c456cfa-0b84-55c2-98ef-48a37377b390.html" target="_blank">Tulsa World</a></i> on 6/10/2016:<br />
<br />
A former bookkeeper at an Oklahoma City oil field pipe company has been charged by federal authorities in a $7 million embezzlement scheme that also involved mall kiosks in several states. <br />
<span class="paragraph-1"><br />
<b>Rodney Alan Hager</b>, 38, worked at <b>J&B Pipe Supply Co</b>. from 2007 to 2014. He also owned <b>Mall Concepts of Oklahoma Inc</b>., which operated mall kiosks in Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Georgia and other states.<br />
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Federal prosecutors said Hager, of Choctaw, wired money from J&B Pipe Supply to several bank accounts under his control, including the Mall Concepts’ account. They said Hager opened credit card counts in the name of one of the owners of the pipe supply company, paying off the credit cards with money from corporate accounts.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="service-members managed-service" style="display: block;">
He also took signed, blank company checks intended to pay suppliers and deposited them into his bank accounts or cashed them, prosecutors said.<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-10361827012317950282016-06-09T15:16:00.001-04:002016-06-09T15:16:09.201-04:00Former City Finance Manager In California Reportedly Embezzled Nearly $5 Million From MunicipalityFrom the <i><a href="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-718740-placentia-nguyen.html" target="_blank">Orange County Register</a></i> on 6/8/2016:<br />
<br />
City officials have revealed that Placentia’s former finance services manager allegedly embezzled nearly $5 million from the financially fragile city – about $600,000 more than first believed.<br />
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Initially, authorities believed <b>Michael Minh Nguyen</b> had embezzled $4.3 million, but the ongoing investigation has uncovered an additional $600,000 in missing funds. Authorities say they have seized $2.7 million of that money.<br />
<br />
“The city is working diligently to seek court authorization to have the funds transferred back,” Placentia City Administrator Damien Arrula wrote in an email Wednesday night.<br />
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Also, a $1 million insurance policy may help the city recoup additional money.<br />
<br />
“The forensic audit is estimated to be completed in July, at which point in time the city will have sufficient information to prepare its insurance claim,” Arrula said. “After the submittal, there is a review process, which will be conducted by the insurance carrier. ”<br />
<br />
Prosecutors allege that Nguyen made 17 illegal wire transfers from city funds from January 2014 to April 2016 to several accounts belonging to him and others. Prosecutors initially believed the embezzlement scheme began in April 2015.<br />
<br />
Councilman Scott Nelson said he is optimistic that the city will recover most of the missing funds.<br />
“It looks like we are going to be very fortunate to get most of the taxpayers’ money back.” Nelson said. “That’s really thanks to our staff and the D.A. doing a great, great job.”<br />
...<br />
<br />
Read the whole story <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-718740-placentia-nguyen.html" target="_blank">here</a>.Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-85897703506482216252016-06-07T12:00:00.001-04:002016-06-07T12:00:16.214-04:00Fugitive Indicted In Massive $54 Million Embezzlement From Connecticut Investment FirmFrom <i><a href="http://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Greenwich-fugitive-indicted-in-54M-embezzlement-7958758.php" target="_blank">The Greenwich Time</a></i> on 6/2/2016:<br />
<br />
A 44-year-old Greenwich man - on the run since last April - has been indicted in in connection with embezzling $54 million from the private equity firm for which he worked.<br />
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<b>Iftikar Ali Ahmed</b>, aka Ifty, 44, was indicted Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Boston on four counts of wire fraud and three counts of making false statements on income tax returns. Ahmed is currently a fugitive from justice. He was charged in a separate scheme in April 2015, and fled the country while on pre-trial release. <br />
<br />
The indictment alleges that between 2004 and April 2015, Ahmed embezzled more than $54 million from the private equity firm for which he worked as a general partner and fund manager. <br />
<br />
The indictment further alleges that Ahmed used the proceeds of his fraud to purchase a $9.6 million residence in Greenwich and a luxury condominium in New York for approximately $8.6 million.<br />
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<strong>‘An elaborate scheme’</strong><br />
<b><br /></b>
According to U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz said, “Ahmed embezzled the money through an elaborate scheme to defraud in which he submitted false invoices, substantially overstated the prices of international business deals he orchestrated on behalf of his employer, and by setting up fraudulent bank accounts in the name of the private equity firm for which he worked and the companies in which his employer invested.”<br />
<br />
On one occasion in November 2014, it is alleged that Ahmed recommended to his private equity firm that it invest $20 million in an international company and justified the price by submitting fraudulent financial documents. At the same time, Ahmed informed the international company that his employer had agreed to purchase shares for $2 million. <br />
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The indictment alleges that Ahmed then directed the private equity firm to wire $2 million to another company and the remaining $18 million to an account that Ahmed falsely claimed was the company’s account, but actually belonged to Ahmed. <br />
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On Jan. 12, 2015, Ahmed transferred the $18 million in fraud proceeds to his spouse and a portion of these funds was used to purchase a luxury condominium in New York City, according to the indictment.<br />
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According to <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/world/indian-entrepreneurs-charged-with-insider-trading-in-us/article7065343.ece">The Hindu</a>, Ahmed and another Indian-origin entrepreneur were charged in April 2015 for insider trading for making over a million dollars in illegal profits through the proposed acquisition of Cooper Tire and Rubber by India’s Apollo Tyres. Amit Kanodia, of Massachusetts, a 47-year-old entrepreneur and private equity investor, and his long-time friend Iftikar Ahmed, a general partner at a venture capital firm were charged with fraud by the Securities and Exchange Commission.<br />
<br />
While the acquisition of American company Cooper by Apollo was never completed, the SEC complaint said that Cooper Tire’s stock price jumped 41 per cent when the acquisition was announced in June 2013.<br />
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The SEC alleges that Kanodia tipped Ahmed and another friend prior to the acquisition announcement after learning of the deal from his wife, who was Apollo’s general counsel at the time, more than two months before the merger was announced.<br />
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<strong>Assets frozen</strong><br />
<b><br /></b>
In May 2015, the SEC obtained a court order freezing $55,089,446 million of Ahmed's assets.<br />
According to the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/2015/lr23260.htm">SEC's complaint</a>, Ahmed had Oak funds pay $20 million for a $2 million stake in an Asian e-commerce joint venture in December 2014, pocketing the $18 million difference for himself. It alleges that in another investment in August 2014, an Oak fund overpaid for shares in a China-based e-commerce company, allowing Ahmed to pocket $2 million. In a third transaction, the complaint alleges that in 2013, Ahmed advised an Oak fund to invest $25 million in a U.S.-based e-commerce company without disclosing his interest in I-Cubed Domains LLC, which had a significant stake in the same company. The following year, at Ahmed's advice, the Oak fund paid $7.5 million to I-Cubed to buy shares in the company that I-Cubed had acquired for $2 million. The complaint alleges that Ahmed again failed to disclose his ties to I-Cubed, violating his duty to act in the best interest of the Oak fund investors and avoid self-dealing.<br />
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According to Bloomberg, Ahmed received an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1999 and an undergraduate degree in Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi in 1993. He was a general partner at Oak Investment Partners, spent three years with Fidelity Ventures as senior associate and worked in the private equity and special situations group of Goldman Sachs.<br />
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<strong>What he faces</strong><br />
<b><br /></b>
If Ahmed is captured - and convicted - the charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 on each count. <br />
<br />
The charge of making false statements in income tax returns provides for a sentence of no greater than three years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $1 million on each count.<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-75783521703208461592016-05-30T11:51:00.002-04:002016-05-30T11:51:58.925-04:00Former Finance Director at U Miami Pleads Guilty in $2.3 Million Embezzlement SchemeFrom the <i><a href="http://www.bradenton.com/news/state/florida/article80654232.html" target="_blank">Associated Press</a></i> on 5/29/2016:<br />
<br />
A former finance director at a University of Miami science school faces prison time after pleading guilty to tax evasion in a $2.3 million embezzlement scheme.<br />
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Sentencing is set for August in Miami federal court for 58-year-old <b>Kimberly Jean Miller</b>, who faces up to five years behind bars on each of four tax evasion counts.<br />
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Miller was finance director at the university's <b>Rosensteil School of Marine and Atmospheric Science</b> from 2002 to 2012. Court documents show she used her authority to embezzle $2.3 million by falsifying vendor invoices so that checks could be deposited in a business bank account she controlled.<br />
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Prosecutors say Miller did not report the money on income tax returns between 2008 and 2011 and now owes the Internal Revenue Service more than $329,000 in back taxes.<br />
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<br />Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/news/state/florida/article80654232.html#storylink=cpy</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-5352670851304867472016-05-25T14:06:00.001-04:002016-05-25T14:06:18.873-04:00Former Hospital Employee Accused Of Embezzling Nearly $100K From Seattle Children'sFrom <a href="http://www.king5.com/news/local/seattle-childrens-employee-accused-of-embezzlement/214275928" target="_blank">KING5</a> on 5/25/2016:<br />
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A former employee at <b>Seattle Children's</b> is facing theft charges, accused of embezzling nearly $100,000 from the hospital. Prosecutors say the money was used to build a Hindu temple.<br />
As first reported<a href="http://www.seattlepi.com/local/crime/article/Charges-Insider-fleeced-Seattle-Children-s-7943499.php" target="_blank"> in the Seattle PI, </a><b>Bram Deo</b> has admitted to the embezzlement and resigned in August of 2015 when confronted by his employer.<br />
<br />
Court documents say he spent more than a decade working in the accounting department at Seattle Children's. It was in 2011 and 2012 when he allegedly stole $96,250 from the hospital.<br />
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As for what he was doing with the money, investigators say Deo also served as treasurer for a Hindu temple on Des Moines Memorial Drive in Seattle. <br />
<br />
According to court documents, he reportedly used the money to pay for construction at the temple, and told the contractor doing the work it was an authorized donation from Seattle Children's.<br />
Deo was charged just last week, with five counts of theft in the first degree.<br />
<br />
A spokesperson for Seattle Children's told KING 5 that the hospital discovered the theft during an internal investigation in 2015. The hospital then reported the theft to the Seattle Police Department.<br />
...<br />
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Read the whole story <a href="http://www.king5.com/news/local/seattle-childrens-employee-accused-of-embezzlement/214275928" target="_blank">here</a>.Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-33375888076403856482016-05-24T18:39:00.001-04:002016-05-24T18:43:19.033-04:00Former Fire District Administrator In Arizona Indicted For Allegedly Embezzling Nearly $1.8 MillionFrom the <em><a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/772405/former-az-fire-district-administrator-faces-felony-charges.html" target="_blank">Associated Press</a></em> on 5/11/2016:<br />
<br />
Authorities say a woman who oversaw finances for the former <strong>Show Low Fire District</strong> embezzled nearly $1.8 million over several years.<br />
<br />
A Navajo County grand jury recently indicted <b>Natalie Cluff</b> on multiple felony charges. She’s scheduled for an arraignment Monday.<br />
<br />
Her father, former Show Low Fire District Chief Ben Owens Sr., also is accused of financial crimes.<br />
The charges came after the state auditor general’s office looked into the district’s finances. The report released Tuesday found that Cluff unlawfully issued hundreds of checks between February 2005 and June 2012 and submitted fake audits.<br />
...<br />
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Read the whole story here: <a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/772405/former-az-fire-district-administrator-faces-felony-charges.html">http://www.abqjournal.com/772405/former-az-fire-district-administrator-faces-felony-charges.html</a>Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209280003747771086.post-41063246235645129532016-04-18T11:43:00.002-04:002016-04-18T11:43:26.084-04:00Risk & Opportunities - 10 Year ReflectionsRead Chris Marquet's reflections on the risks and opportunities facing businesses as we have seen them develop over the past decade.<br />
<br />
Read the letter on our website here: <a href="http://www.marquetinternational.com/pdf/Marquet-Intl---10-Year-Reflections.pdf">http://www.marquetinternational.com/pdf/Marquet-Intl---10-Year-Reflections.pdf</a><br />
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Chris Marquethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15453599146058412239noreply@blogger.com0