When Lenovo preinstalled Superfish adware on its laptops, it betrayed its customers and sold out their security. Questions: 1. What does this Superfish app do when you are on websites? 2. Do you agree that Lenovo needs to be fined or face legal prosecution? 3. Explain the following statements in financial or business terms: Lenovo… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Financial Accounting
Is the use of videoconferencing one to improve recidivism or profits?
Jails are replacing face-to-face visits with video conferencing screens and are passing the costs on to inmates and their families. In some cases, these costs are up to $1 per minute. Questions: 1. Where do most videoconferencing companies make their money? 2. Who are the industry giants in prison videoconferencing? 3. Explain the last statement… Read more »
Let the Punishment Fit the Crime
The Mikado explains his ambition of letting the punishment fit the crime in Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic work. The Mikado’s song could be the new theme song of the Securities and Exchange Commission, if dissenting commissioners prevail. The debate over a “one size fits all” penalty for misconduct is at the heart of what defines… Read more »
Fraud at Florida-based adult entertainment businesses
Paul Anthony Ruggieri, accountant, pleaded guilty Friday to assisting in the tax fraud scheme of Anthony Andreozzi, the owner of two Florida-based adult entertainment businesses. Questions: 1. Based on the information in the article, how long had Mr. Ruggieri been Andreozzi’s accountant? Go to the Certified Fraud Examiner’s website and compare this amount of time… Read more »
Profits or Ethics? Is it one or the other?
In November 2014, allegations of altered reports prompted a federal judge overseeing more than 1,000 hurricane related lawsuits in the New York City area to order and investigate all drafts of the engineering reports regarding 2012 Hurricane Sandy property damage. Based on these reports, the judge believed that engineering revisions were “widespread” in order to… Read more »
Are you getting what is advertised?
Four major retailers were accused by the New York State attorney general’s office of selling fraudulent and potentially dangerous herbal supplements. The attorney general demanded that they remove the products from their shelves. Questions: 1. Who were the four national retailers? 2. What were the results of tests performed on the supplements? 3. In summary,… Read more »
A Big Bet!
Pfizer is making a $15.2 billion bet on the drug industry’s new, more elite class of generics, which are costly, complex copies of already expensive biotech drugs. Questions: 1. What are biosimilars? 2. Why are there questions about the durability of the market for these specialty drugs? 3. What is the dollar estimate of the… Read more »
Credit Unions for Pot?
Since medical marijuana was legalized in Colorado in 2001 and recreational marijuana was legalized a year ago, sellers have had limited, if any, access to banking services. As a result, a group of other entrepreneurs in Colorado want to start the first-ever financial institution established specifically to serve the pot industry. Questions: 1. What are… Read more »
Why Can’t I Get A Break on Airline Tickets, with Gas Down to Record Lows?
Even with oil prices down, it seems like airline tickets are either increasing in price or staying level. In fact in October 2014, there were four separate attempts by U.S. airlines to hike airfares with mixed success. But why? Questions: 1. To what conditions does Seany attribute the high airline ticket prices? 2. Do you… Read more »
Pop Goes the Bubble!
According to the New York Times, the drop in oil prices are dimminishing one of the few big bright spots that banks have enjoyed since the financial crisis. The reason is that banks have been experiencing a lending boom to companies in the nation’s energy industry. Questions: 1. Which banking group has the greatest investment… Read more »