According to the New York Times, a federal appeals court ruled last week that companies cannot force their employees to sign away their rights to band together in legal actions. In doing this, they delivered a major victory for American workers and opened an opportunity for the Supreme Court to weigh in. Questions: 1. What… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Accounting Information Systems
Moving on up from Counterfeiting
This article explains the latest spate of attacks on banks in Bangladesh and Southeast Asia, which security researchers say is the first time that a nation has used malicious code to steal purely for financial profit. The country is North Korea. Questions: 1. Security researchers and American government officials have tied thousands of attacks to… Read more »
Barriers to Board Positions
A recent report about the composition of Boards of Directors over the last seven years indicates that the greatest obstacle for minorities in gaining entry to the boardroom is the lack of operating or financial experience. According to the report, networks of white men who connect through college, work and social activities feel more comfortable… Read more »
Say it ain’t so, Phil.
Professional golfer Phil Mickelson was recently named in an SEC complaint regarding insider trading information that he received from William Walters, a sports gambler. Questions: 1. During what period did the insider trading take place? 2. Phil has been named as a “relief defendant.” What does that mean? 3. What shares did Phil buy and… Read more »
A Fraud Caught by a Channel-Surfing Judge!
Dance Moms, a show on Lifetime TV is in its 6th season. The host is Abby Lee Miller, who is facing 20 counts of fraud due to allegations that she fudged specifics when it came to a bankruptcy filing. If found guilty on all counts, Ms. Miller is facing $5 million in fines and five… Read more »
The Shipping News
According to a study released last Tuesday, U.S. multinational companies are saving $100 billion a year by shifting their profits overseas to lower their tax bills. Questions: 1. Is this tax fraud? Why or why not? 2. Explain the mechanism they are using. 3. Which countries are companies shifting profits to and why (be specific)?… Read more »
The new global business shield
Some Chinese state-owned entities, backed by the key government agency that oversees major state industrial companies, have adopted a controversial defense when they face U.S. lawsuits – we enjoy sovereign immunity. Questions: 1. The article says that this policy is an indication of something much deeper. What is that? 2. The article mentioned Chinese audit… Read more »
Fine Print – Gotcha!
Tara Zoumer thought she had found her dream job when she was hired at WeWork, a $16 billion start-up that rents office space to young entrepreneurs. As a salaried employee, she was soon asked to expand her duties to include many things that an hourly custodian should do. When she tried to get other employees… Read more »
Collateral damage
The government set up an elaborate sting operation to expose a network of recruiters for visa mills. The only problem was that some students claim that they thought the “honey trap” was a legitimate organization and were duped by the U.S. government. Questions: 1. Briefly explain the sting scheme. 2. After reading the article, do… Read more »
A Good Case for Whistleblower Status?
The executive director of an arts charity, D. Alexandra Dyer, was attacked with drain cleaner last year. On Friday, she was fired by the board of the charity, along with the financial officer who helped her unearth what the authorities have called a $750,000 embezzlement scheme. Questions: 1. What led up to the “Drano” attack?… Read more »