While I speak nationwide on white collar crime, fraud and ethics - I must say you don't see this one often. I had to take a second read.

Reverend James Cornell Clark - a former Lubbock pastor - was convicted on 41 counts of various indictments charging him with various offenses related to defrauding the federal gover ... Read More »

Former Brocade CEO, Greg Reyes was convicted in August 2007 of defrauding investors in the first case of backdating stock options. Since the Department of Justice began its backdating probe well over 10 executives have been criminally charged. The Reyes case was considered important as it tested whether a jury feels the crime is worthy of jail time.

As the verdict was read - the DOJ got its answer. Yes!

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As many know who read my blogs - I am a convicted felon, having served time in federal prison. I am not proud of that fact, but it is a fact that I cannot change. Rather than hide that fact, I have elected to be open and honest - hoping that my experience might benefit others who are recovering from a life changing experience.

Recently, I received a response to an earlier blog and responded accordingly. Then it hit me, perhaps I should blog the comment and response so that those who are new to the business ethics blog might benefit.

So the question is: Can you achieve success following prison? Perhaps an even better response might be how can you achieve success following any substantial life change?

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Going to prison for drugs isn't limited to "so called" drug dealers. An Ohio man was just sentenced to prison for his role in obtaining drugs illegally.

JAMES E. KIRKPATRICK III, DDS, 44, who resides in Belpre, Ohio, was sentenced to eight months in prison for fraudulently obtaining hy ... Read More »

You gotta be careful when you enter the national forests in this country...cause the rules are - only George Washington can chop down a cherry tree.

O.K. - being a bit serious...here's one that I know won't make national attention - hence it deserves a mention on this blog just for posterity.

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Wow...every choice has a consequence. Every presentation I make that statement is made. And, sure enough it is true!

Take, for example, Julia N. Bell. Seems that she went shopping, took vacations, and ate in restaurants. She did what normal people do every day. The only difference is that she did all of these things using the credit card of the company she worked for.

Now, most would think that when the bill came it, such a simple fraud would be caught. But alas...no. Seems that Bell was the office manager. So, not only did she use the card for her personal gain, but she paid the card from the company's funds that she controlled.

Guess she thought as long as she controlled it...no o ... Read More »

The first step to a new life is to accept responsibility for your actions. Every choice has a consequence and after ten years of admitted fraud, William J. Trier, II has made a life changing choice - he plead guilty to an embezzlement scheme that lasted for ten years.

Now, as a white collar crime speaker, I must admit that it is generally unheard of for a white collar crime to last for that period of time. More times than not they fall apart before a decade passes.

&l ... Read More »

Every choice has a consequence! May 2008 will be remembered by 40-year-old Andrew Maxwell Parker, owner of San Antonio Trade Group, Inc., since he was indicted on conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, false statements and tax charges. It appears that Parker's choices may be having unexpected consequences.

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As a former CPA, I can't tell how many times I've heard clients say that since they received money in cash "it wasn't taxable." WRONG! Not only did I correct that impression for my clients, I would not keep them as clients if they insisted on being a part of what is obviously tax fraud.

Now, I went to prison for tax evasion, so I am not lily white. In fact, while I am not proud of my past, I have a unique perspective from which to write and comment. Perhaps my comments will be the foundation that might help others.

According to the US Attorney's office, a practicing Houston area dentist has pleaded guilty to filing a false income tax return and evading more than $145,000 in federal income taxes between 1999 and 2003. Dr. Brian G. Martinez, 51, a practic ... Read More »

Almost a year ago I was at the annual convention for members of the National Speakers Association. As a professional speaker, I attempt to make that each year. This year held something special for me - something unexpected. Upon return home to Dallas, Texas I found that I had become a victim of identity theft.

How? How could it be that my de ... Read More »