Today - the day after the election - we, as Americans, have seen yet another historic moment in a life that has seen many. Those of us with some age have seen the end of wars and the beginning of others; we have seen space travel and a man on the moon; we have seen technology change everything about our daily lives; and we have seen a man rise up and break barriers that once were thought to be iron clad. Mr. President Elect - your election may be historic for African-Americans, but, more important, it is historic for all Americans as we see through you a change of attitude and focus - we see hope in your eyes.

With the above said, Mr. President Elect, I must caution, in the midst of celebration, that we not lose sight ofRead More »

As I prepare to write this entry, I must start out by saying that I know exactly what Rebecca Dawn Long is going through here in 2008. I went through the same thing in 1990 and I know how painful the process can be. I, too, (not proud of this) embezzled money and had to expose myself - to my family, friends and the community I lived in - as a liar and a thief. The experience was humbling, terribly painful, and a turning point in my life. So, for those who read - my motivation is not in any way to tear down Ms. Long, but rather to explore - for the benefit of those who read - what motivates someone to commit a fraud and subsequently destroy a life (at least for a time).

First, let's define fraud: "A knowing misrepresentation of the truth or concealment of a material fact to induce another to act to his or her detriment." Read More »

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As a business ethics speaker, I am witnessing what appears to be an increase in the number of frauds - mostly financial - that seems to be creeping into most organizations - whether for profit or not for profit. This is not unexpected as hard economic times create desperate actions. One thing for sure, whether you are a non-profit organization, church or association, you're assets are just a vulnerable as any other organizations. The only difference I see is that in touch times it is often more difficult to grow your assets since you rely on contributions (in large part).

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On September 11, 2001 our nation faced a terrible tragedy. We were attacked from outside our borders. Unfortunately anytime there is a disaster, some will find the opportunity too great and step outside the bounds of reason and commit fraud. Such is the case for a former employee of the New York City Medical Examiner's office who was recently sentenced to 70 months for theft. Not only was a serious crime committed, but there was an intentional disregard for any semblance of ethical behavior.

According to the US Attorney's news release:

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) developed an acute need for computer services following the September 11th attacks, when it was assigned the task of identifying victims through the forensic analysis of b ... Read More »

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Dethroned - that's what I'd call it when you go from the top of the city's food chain to serving time in prison. Judgemental? I think not. I've been there and I know. Every choice has a consequence and lying is a choice that brings nothing but pain. I served time in federal prison for theft and lying. Martha Stewart served time in federal prison for lying. Now it seems that Kwame Kilpatrick will, too, serve time for his role in covering up an affair.

Calling him "arrogant and defiant," a Wayne County Circuit Judge on Tuesday sentenced former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to four months in jail with no early release under the terms of a plea deal. This reported by CNN.

From my former blog - Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick ... Read More »

Not a week goes by without someone raising the question, at one of my seminars or presentations on business ethics, about a useful survey or tool to gauge ethical choices. Nearly every time that question is raised, someone responds with the comment: "There's not such thing as business ethics."

Seems to me that is a easy cop out for ignoring ethical behavior. The fact is, businesses are made up of people, without them there would be no organization. People make ethical choices and if your company is founded with folks who have a desire to make good decisions based on a moral sense of duty and obligation, well...you have an ethical organization.

In any event, I found a useful tool that might be of help to those who are regular readers of my blog. A survey was des ... Read More »

As an ethics speaker, I have the opportunity to travel the country and meet citizens of all the states in our great nation. Amazing what you can find when you just take the time to ask questions. People are in many cases better connected than our leaders might think.

When it comes to Texas, as a recent resident of that great state, I can say that, overall, there is a feeling of positive prosperity. Texans expect government to be responsive to them and, for the most part, it seems that it is working.

The report just issued came from the Better Government Assoication. Founded in 1923, the Better Government Association is an independent, non-partisan government watchdog. T ... Read More »

Well over a year ago, I along with others were writing profusely about mortgage fraud and the severe lack of business ethics that seemed rampant in the industry. It almost seemed like "money for nothing" and the house was free. Now, as we approach the time for our general election, things could not be worse. There is no doubt that this will be a disaster for the GOP when the election results come in.

October 23, 2008, an indictment was handed down in Brooklyn federal court charging OSMOND DECOTEAU with wire fraud for masterminding a scheme to defraud mortgage lenders and banks of more than $20 million in connection with the sale of several properties located in Brooklyn and Florida.

According to the indictment: DECOTEAU recruited straw purchasers for properties ... Read More »

A Kannapolis physician assistant Faces Up to Ten Years in federal prison - what for? Is the need to achieve wealth or increase material possessions so great that it is worth one's freedom? That is the very real question that I had to face when some 13 years ago I took my first steps into federal prison. Now another will take those steps soon.

CHRISTOPHER J. CAGGIANO, president of CANNON FAMILY MEDICINE, INC.- Kannapolis, North Carolina - plead guilty to four counts of health care fraud.

In July 2006, the N.C. Medical Board suspended Caggiano’s license to work as a physician assistant for two years. But the suspension was to be stayed on Jan. 1, 2007, and Caggiano was to remain on probation for the duration of the suspension. Caggiano was accused of or ... Read More »

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Every choice has a consequence. As a business ethics and white collar crime speaker, I address groups every day who elect to be reminded about this fact. In this case, Stephen Lee Turpin, of Pearland, Texas has been sentenced to the statutory maximum penalty for his involvement in multiple “Ponzi” schemes which resulted in over $2 million in losses to several individuals.

Turpin, 53, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison, the statutory maximum penalty, for conspiring to commit wire fraud and mail fraud. Turpin was convicted in May 2007 after pleading guilty to the charge.

In the scam resulting in the highest loss to ... Read More »