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Recent Articles from Gina Bliss
Fraud Facts: Facial recognition tech – not science fiction anymore
In 2002, when Tom Cruise appeared in the movie “Minority Report,” the capabilities of the facial recognition technology that was depicted were largely fiction. That technology has come a long way since then. Now it has applications in marketing, law enforcement and fraud prevention. Facial recognition also has potential for abuse. You can be outside […]
Fraud Facts: Town and village governments struggle with fraud
There have been some recent cases of fraud near where I live. They caught my attention because they involve local governments at the town and village level. I discovered other cases across the state and it made me realize that small municipalities have some of the same issues with internal controls that small businesses have. […]
Fraud Facts: Refund fraud aided by complexity of tax code
Feb. 3, 2013, was the 100th birthday of the 16th Amendment, which established the U.S Federal Income Tax. Congress enacted a 1 percent tax on net personal income over $3,000, with an additional tax on those who had net income over $20,000. The filing deadline was March 1 until 1918 when it was changed to […]
Fraud Facts: Watch out for fraud while planning vacations
Last month, Carnival Cruise Lines had a public relations disaster when its ship, Triumph, had an engine room fire that left the ship without power. While that was going on, I had a lot of questions. Why did it take so long to get the passengers to shore? Isn’t there a better way than towing […]
Fraud Facts: Marriage fraud and the cruise ship piano player
I heard a story about a piano player who worked on a cruise ship. He married the cruise ship’s singer in order for her to become an American citizen. That story reminded me of the movie “The Proposal,” starring Sandra Bullock. Her character, Margaret Tate, is the editor in chief of a book publishing company. […]
Fraud Facts: Christmas a busy time for retail return fraud
People that know me know that I don’t like to shop. If I go off to shop for clothing alone I’ll probably walk around in the store, pick up a few things to try on, think about how much work it is to try them on, put them back, and leave the store. One time […]
Fraud Facts: How to protect yourself against holiday scams
I gave in. I said “yes” to a puppy. For five years, I said no. Puppies chew shoes, need to be housebroken and require lots of exercise. But, my daughter is 13, and she’s proven herself responsible. Not only that, but she’s a dog person. Dogs love her immediately, even the touchy ones. The puppy […]
Fraud Facts: Fraud hits would-be Broadway production
I work at an accounting firm. Everyone knows the stereotypical accountant. Accountants are introverted and devoid of humor, they drive practical cars, wear frumpy clothes and enjoy geeky hobbies like stamp collecting. They’re rule followers. The people I work with range far and wide from that stereotype. Ashley is a CPA, but her first career […]
Fraud Facts: Yes, even coupons can be subject to fraud
I know someone who has a large basement shelving system loaded with grocery products. She’s an extreme couponer. She accumulates excess amounts of food, and health and beauty products. She donates a lot of it to charities. To her, it’s fun and it’s a challenge. She doesn’t need to do it financially, and, as a […]
Fraud Facts: How to avoid falling for time share fraud
I took my summer beach vacation last week. We rent a house on the beach, and just relax. I look forward to it all year. The rental company we used this year sent me an email before we left for vacation to let us know about an open house they were having during our week […]
Fraud Facts: Taking embezzlement to extreme lengths
I love the Olympic Games. I watch every sport that I can. It’s not just sports and competition. It’s the Olympic spirit of competing for your country against other countries. It’s pride. It’s the difficulty of peaking in your sport for a competition that only occurs every four years. It’s extreme athleticism. If embezzlement were […]
Fraud Facts: The fraud triangle – a tool to assess risk of fraud
My mother died a few years ago, but when I think of her I’m amazed at the innovation and history that happened during her lifetime. When she was a small child she listened to broadcasts of Churchill on the radio, and when she heard a screeching siren during school hours it was an air raid […]
Case Digests
- Fourth Department – Speedy trial: People v. Jordan
- Fourth Department – Rosario material: People v. Dennard
- Second Circuit – Magnuson-Stevens Act: State of New York v. Raimondo
- Fourth Department – Plea: People v. Davis
- Second Circuit – Revocation of minimum sentence: Bangs v. Walter William Smith, et al.
- Fourth Department – Relation-back doctrine: CHS Inc. v. Land O’Lakes Purina Feed, et al.
- Fourth Department – Unlawful arrest: People v. Burke
- Fourth Department – Attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance: People v. Brown
- Second Circuit – Immigration: Paucar v. Garland
- Fourth Department – Slip and fall: Black v. 465 Payne Avenue
- Second Circuit – Misappropriation of trade secrets: Pauwels v. Deloitte
- Fourth Department – Molineux evidence: People v. Anderson
Law News
- N.Y. Court of Appeals reverses murder conviction because of illegal search
- State board approves cannabis lawsuit settlements, paves way for the opening of retail dispensaries
- NY Court of Appeals reverses gun conviction over ineffective counsel
- Split court affirms gun conviction, finding search and arrest were legal
- NY appeals court vacates drug conviction over illegal police search
- Split Court of Appeals strips Police Accountability Board of disciplinary power
- Manslaughter conviction reversed after appeals court finds insufficient evidence
- Rochester-area family sues over compromised medical records
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