It is well known that corporate fraud and embezzlement is rampant. Companies spend billions on financial controls, auditing, and internal investigations to prevent this conduct. A good prevention program mitigates risk. A good internal investigation develops support for a civil suit or criminal prosecution, or at least grounds to fire the bad guy(s). However, at least in London, companies recently had a bit of trouble firing employees who stole for them, via foreign exchange

Most of us know that people manipulate us to sell stuff. Lawyers categorize this manipulation as either “puffery,” which is legal, or “misrepresentation,” which is not. And, even in instances of illegal misrepresentation, the law does not help people who don’t use common sense to see through a pitch. You might call this the, “it’s not the liar’s fault that the guy is stupid” defense. Believe it or not, the law also allows claims against a stupid liar. [Maybe there is a “st

“Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud.” – Sophocles Some people live by Sophocles’ principle. Others do not. As a consequence, good, smart, and successful people ask our Firm and forensic team to figure out whether they are or have been ripped off and, if so, what to do about it. Being good at business is not enough. Fraud is rampant. The numbers vary, but reports estimate that fraudsters steal between $27B and $50B each year. Heck, Bernie Madoff apparently stole $50B

It is not enough to make money. You have to protect it. A few times each year we receive a request that we investigate an apparent fraud, either from a client or from a referral. We investigate and, if the facts support it, we either prepare a civil complaint or present the claim to law enforcement for prosecution. This has become a pleasant morphing of our white collar criminal defense practice. The sleuthing and analysis are professionally satisfying but probably not gr