To say that International Development Programs have come under intense scrutiny over the past few weeks would be quite an understatement. As someone who has worked on these programs, I can certainly understand the skepticism and questions concerning the value of many programs. Before reviewing my involvement in these programs, let’s examine the different economic…
Ours is a complex world giving rise to legal disputes in areas of specialized knowledge that are difficult for a trier of fact, either a jury or a judge, to understand without the help of experts on the matter in dispute. Judges are responsible for ensuring the integrity of the judicial process and are, therefore,…
When most people think of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), they probably think of discrimination. After all, the ECOA, which was passed in 1974, prohibits creditors from denying credit to applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, or age, because an applicant receives income from a public assistance…
Peace and Security – At What Price? Let me say this right up front: The civilized world needs a Russian defeat. A year ago, it seemed that Putin would lead a weakened and battered country. The United States (US) and Europe (EU) had a window of opportunity to send the Russians home with their tail…
This message is a continuation of my journey and story about the current happenings in Ukraine. Part I was a story and reflection involving my travels and personal observations of the journey. As I previously noted, there is still a lot of misinformation and propaganda regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine. There are many stories…
Interpretations of the law, conclusions of law, expert opinions on the application of law to facts or use of a term that has both an everyday meaning as well as a legal one: What is an expert witness allowed to say when matters of law and matters of fact are intermingled? The boundaries on what…
Financial institution fraud is a growing threat in today’s complex financial landscape. As transactions become more sophisticated, so do fraudsters’ methods. There is no single reason behind the occurrence of fraud. During my forty-year career, I have often found that fraud is committed due to weaknesses in a company’s operations. I have also seen that…
Last week, I was reading an article on Yahoo Finance and was shocked to learn this statistic. According to the Milken Institute, less than 40% of Americans are financially literate; however, a much higher percentage think they are. While this may seem to be an individual problem, the truth is that it causes significant issues…
Fraud in banks is a big problem that affects customers, businesses, and the economy. From identity theft to fake transactions, fraud can cause huge money losses and damage trust. Banks must quickly find and stop fraud to protect people’s money. The Opportunity Group is an expert in fraud investigations and legal support. We help banks…
Fraud is a big problem in the banking industry, costing banks billions of dollars each year. Criminals use tricks like identity theft, cyber fraud, and money laundering to steal money. As these crimes get more advanced, banks need better ways to catch and stop fraud. That’s where bank forensic investigators come in. Opportunity Group helps…