Brian Mahany, Esq.

IRS: Disclose Offshore Accounts or Go to Jail

The IRS says Americans have one last chance to come clean with unreported foreign accounts. During the first offshore amnesty in 2009, just 15,000 Americans came forward. That's a drop in the bucket to the estimated half million who still have not repo... Read >

IRS Cracks Down on False Tax Credits

Federal prosecutors indicted a man in Philadelphia for falsely claiming the first time homebuyers credit on his tax return. Elsewhere in the country, IRS and federal prosecutors began filing lawsuits against tax preparers for assisting taxpayers in claimi... Read >

Sensational Charges Against Hedge Fund Manager Revealed

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan has charged a hedge fund manager with insider trading. Donald Longueuil was charged with conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud and obstruction of justice. The obstruction charge stems from Longueuil's middl... Read >

Non Profit Credit Counselor Bilked $2 Million From Victims

Credit counselors are there to help us manage our finances, get out of debt and help us achieve financial freedom. Apparently Alfred Parker of Woodland Hills, California didn't quite understand that. Parker, who worked as a credit counselor for a non-prof... Read >

Alleged Ponzi Schemer Sues SEC, FBI Agents

There is nothing ordinary about litigation. Once an action is filed, there is no way of knowing the outcome. Although lawyers will often tell you that courts are best at resolving disputes, most people disagree. Often litigation results in countersuits. I... Read >

Investor Sues Major Accounting Firm, Wins $91 Million in Gatekeeper Suit

George Batchelor thought he found a sure thing when he decided to invest in Grand Court Lifestyles, a company that operated senior citizen communities. Little did he know that the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. Now a Florida jury decided that Gra... Read >

Charles Schwab Pays $119 Million to Settle Consumer Charges

When a prospective customer logs on to the Charles Schwab website, they are greeted with a friendly message that says, "We see investing from your perspective and make recommendations based on actually listening to you and understanding your needs." Appa... Read >

Does Your Business Have A Compliance Program? Can It Afford Not To Have One?

Compliance problems cost U.S. businesses billions of dollars. That's right, billions. A compliance problem can result in crippling fines, loss of reputation, huge legal fees and often the loss of senior management. Even if never convicted, a criminal in... Read >

New Motions Filed in Welfare Benefit Plan Case - NOVA's Latest Attempt to Hide the Truth

IRS Special Agent Shaun Schrader's affidavit in support of a search warrant for NOVA Benefit Plan's offices in Connecticut has been widely circulated and reported. That affidavit is particularly damning for NOVA and apparently NOVA now wants to restrict ... Read >

Subtle Slurs and Code Words - the New Face of Discrimination and Prejudice

Just about every employee knows that certain racial slurs and other derogatory words are off limits in the workplace. Utter the "N" word for blacks or the "C" word referring to women and many employers will administer discipline on the spot if not outrigh... Read >

30 Rock Accountant Arrested for Fraud

Celebrities and media moguls attract much attention from American society; often that attention is unwanted. Fraudsters and con artists know there is a great deal of money in the media world and that makes celebrities and Hollywood production companies b... Read >

Record Numbers of Discrimination Claims Filed in 2010 According to EEOC

The latest figures released from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission show no slowing in the number of discrimination claims being filed. Just released figures for 2010 show a 7% increase over 2009 and a whopping 21% increase from 2007. Wh... Read >

Milwaukee Archdiocese Files For Bankruptcy - How Will This Effect Child Sex Victims?

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee filed for bankruptcy, another in a growing number of dioceses struggling to compensate victims of child molesting priests. Milwaukee is believed to have 24 victims who are seeking money from the church, all clai... Read >

Busted! Another Ponzi Scheme Promoter Gets Caught

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission has charged Raymond Morris with an offering fraud. Morris, a Draper, Utah, resident is charged with defrauding investors out of at least $60 million. According to the federal complaint filed, Morris... Read >

IRS Cracks Down on Welfare Benefit Plans

Recent court cases have highlighted serious problems in plans welfare benefit plans issued by Nova Benefit Plans of Simsbury, Connecticut. Recently unsealed IRS criminal case information now raises concerns with other plans as well. If you have any type p... Read >