Groupon in the News

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Groupon disclosed a major accounting change on Friday, essentially halving its once-jaw-dropping revenue after it encountered resistance from regulators with its filing to go public. Groupon, the online coupon titan, announced separately that its chief operating officer of about five months, Margo Georgiadis, resigned and will return to her former employer, Google, as president of… Read more »

Financial Crisis in Greece

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While banks and European leaders hold abstract talks in foreign capitals about the impact of a potential Greek default on the euro and the world economy, something frighteningly concrete is under way in Greece: the dismantling of a middle-class welfare state in real time — with nothing to replace it. Since 2010, the government has… Read more »

Expensive Snacks?

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By now you have probably heard that an audit of the Department of Justice by the Inspector General says that taxpayer money was wasted on overpriced food and drinks. At one conference, the DOJ spent $4200 on 250 muffins–that’s about $16 a muffin. But what did the report actually say? Considering the EOIR reported that… Read more »

Fraudulent Billing Caught by Whistleblower

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Maxim Healthcare Services, a privately held company with 360 offices nationwide offering home health care services, has agreed to pay about $150 million to settle civil and criminal charges over claims of false billings to Medicaid and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Justice announced Monday. Questions: 1. Since 2009, how many current… Read more »

Tax Breaks Galore in Video Games

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The United States government offers tax incentives to companies pursuing medical breakthroughs, urban redevelopment and alternatives to fossil fuels, but also to video game producers. They are able to combine tax breaks across software development, the entertainment industry, and online retailing for a bonanza effect. Electronic Arts, founded in 1982, has since become one of… Read more »

Huge job cuts – Bank of America

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Bank of America, trying to break free from a pile of bad mortgages and a sagging stock price, announced plans to lay off 30,000 employees over the next few years. In a statement Monday, the bank said its goal is “not a given number of job reductions,” but to focus “all of its resources on… Read more »

Ostrich Farming, Anyone?

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Ostrich meat, although poultry is red, not white like most other birds. This red meat, which looks and tastes much like beef, is lower in fat, calories and cholesterol than not only beef, but also white meats like chicken and turkey. Ostriches belong to a family of birds called ratites, which includes emus and rheas… Read more »

Maybe he should have taken an accounting course?

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Former Director Tom Wheeler is on trial, charged with several counts of fraud, misconduct in office and conspiracy. Wheeler has pleaded not guilty to the charges.  His defense focuses on his lack of experience, being a bad student in college, and not taking an accounting or law class. Questions: 1.  Why was Mr. Wheeler charged… Read more »

Does Embezzlement Pay?

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Bradley Whitsell, chief accountant of SDN Communications in Sioux Falls, SD, pleaded guilty to mail fraud on Monday, August 22.  According to the U.S. Attorney’s office 46-year-old Whitsell used his various oversight positions to embezzle more than $392,000 over a 10 year period beginning in 2000. Whitsell could end up in prison for up to… Read more »

The Greedy Boyfriend

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This week an action was filed by the SEC against Toby Scammell.  The filing centers on the acquisition of Marvel Entertainment, Inc. by the Walt Disney Company, which was announced on August 31, 2009. Prior to the acquisition, Mr. Scammell lived with his girlfriend in Los Angeles. During that period she was an extern at… Read more »