Author Archives: Russ

The Renaissance Is Dead

Posted on March 26, 2007 by Russ

“Renaissance, the Tax People”, was, as I previously reported, a multi-level marketing firm specializing in tax. That was the legal part of the business. The illegal part, according to the Department of Justice (and the six individuals who have pleaded … Continue reading →

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Put Not Your Trust

Posted on March 26, 2007 by Russ

I’m a big fan of Rex Stout, the creator of fictional detective Nero Wolfe. Murder by the Book is prototypical Stout, and is one of my favorites. As a published author, I’ve gotten to see some of the workings of … Continue reading →

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Some Fraud

Posted on March 25, 2007 by Russ

This weekend’s edition of the fraud post features a bozo tax preparer, a contractor who built his dream house with the money he was supposed to send to the IRS, and a temp agency owner who allegedly did a good … Continue reading →

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Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid.

Posted on March 25, 2007 by Russ

With the Democrats now in control in Congress, it’s time to watch our wallets. My district in Congress happens to be represented by one of the few accountants in Congress, John Campbell. Congressman Campbell is a CPA, and he’s not … Continue reading →

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No Sale for Palfrey

Posted on March 22, 2007 by Russ

Pity the poor madam escort service operator accused of being a madam. She has but one tangible asset, or so she says, a phone list of her well-to-do clients in Washington, DC. Why not sell the list to finance her … Continue reading →

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What Happens When You Think There’s No Income Tax

Posted on March 22, 2007 by Russ

If you don’t pay your taxes, or file a return with all zeroes, things will happen. Eventually, when you owe enough money, an IRS agent will knock on your door (or send you a certified letter). If you keep ignoring … Continue reading →

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A No Nguyen Situation

Posted on March 22, 2007 by Russ

When you hear that your vote doesn’t count, well, think again. Here in Orange County, the First Supervisorial District was without a Supervisor since January, when Lou Correa (elected to the State Senate in November) moved up to Sacramento. Ten … Continue reading →

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More on Neteller

Posted on March 21, 2007 by Russ

Neteller, the beleaguered Isle of Man financial intermediary firm whose two founders were arrested on money laundering charges in the United States, announced that they have come to an agreement with the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of … Continue reading →

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Is Witness Intimidation Next?

Posted on March 20, 2007 by Russ

Erle Stanley Gardner would enjoy this plot. A madam, excuse me, an escort service operator, is accused of racketeering and money laundering. She has a list of her customers that she wants to sell. She claims to have given a … Continue reading →

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A “Personal Piggy Bank” or a Well-Run Company?

Posted on March 20, 2007 by Russ

Two diametrically opposed visions of Hollinger, Inc. were presented to jurors in Chicago in opening arguments of the Conrad Black trial. Prosecutors, quoted by Bloomberg, called Hollinger Black’s “personal piggy bank.” His attorneys, though, claimed “[the] company was stolen out … Continue reading →

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