June 2010 Breakfast:
Speaker: John Gilbride, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the DEA
Topic: Update on Drug Enforcement Administration
John Gilbride, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, provided details on DEA’s mission, Afghanistan and the war on drugs, Mexico involving drug trade, weapons and border issues.
SAC Gilbride also discussed the problem with terrorism and drug proceeds and how drug sales are funding terrorism organizations. He also emphasized the increase of heroin use and its high purity levels amongst all segments of the population here in New York area and across the country.
March 2010 Cocktail Reception:
Speaker: Ross Thompson and Beth Holloway
Topic: Travel Safety/Security and the presentation of Mayday360
Ross Thompson and Beth Holloway spoke on the importance of vigilance and awareness while traveling overseas. Mr. Thompson and Ms. Holloway discussed the importance of being educated when you travel as well as having the ability to respond to any level of personal safety situation quickly and effectively.
Over the past few years there has been a large rise in the number of people that choose to travel abroad and this is no more evident than in the student travel market. Last year saw 275,000 college students travel overseas to study and over 100,000 travel for spring break to Mexico alone. Investigative Management Group, having been active in the field of travel security, has recognized the growing need to provide travel safety and security assistance to all categories of travelers on a large scale. With this mission IMG has partnered with Beth Holloway, the mother of Natalee Holloway, to create Mayday 360, a global safety and security assistance membership program.
Mayday 360 members are provided access to 24/7 security and safety assistance for any level of security concern or emergency. Mayday 360 provides assistance and, if necessary, on-the-ground support and evacuations to victims of a security or safety crisis. Mayday 360 membership is specifically designed to work with, and respond to, everyday emergencies, especially those that affect traveling students, families and vacationers. Through Mayday360 now you don’t have to be a business executive traveling in a distressed region to have access to affordable, yet world class, security and safety assistance and support.
November 2009 Breakfast:
Speaker: Rosemary Fanelli
Topic: Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
2009 has seen a substantial increase in enforcement activity under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA"). Further, the penalties for violations have been eye-popping – in the hundreds of millions - in one case - over 1 billion dollars. For those of us looking to expand international operations, this increased scrutiny raises important issues. It is quite common for companies establishing overseas operations to retain local counsel or a local consultant to guide them through required local processes. But, how do we know precisely what steps our "man on the ground" is taking to accomplish the company’s goals? The culture of some foreign governments may be quite different from that of the United States, and the provision of gratuities to officials may be common and expected. How can we be sure these local customs do not subject the company to prosecution under the FCPA?
Important steps to reduce the risk of an FCPA violation include: (i) establishing a formal written policy against the provision of improper gratuities and establishing a strong "tone at the top" against any such improprieties; (ii) conducting training of employees such that they are sensitized to recognize what may be improper behavior; and (iii) conducting thorough due diligence on the local consultant is critical and should include a thorough background check of the consultant or local counsel. Although none of these measures will insulate a company from prosecution for a FCPA violation, demonstration of some good faith, rigorous measures will undoubtedly go a long way toward persuading a prosecutor of the company’s good faith and lack of intent.
June 2009 Breakfast:
Speaker: Robert Strang and Ann Hayes, Investigative Management Group
Topic: Background Checks
Mr. Strang and Ms. Hayes discussed the importance of conducting thorough due diligence and illustrated how proper background investigations are a necessity to minimize risk and protect your company, particularly in this financial climate. They also discussed the dangers of failing to perform comprehensive background checks, such as undue reputational risks and potential prosecution. Lastly, they emphasized the importance of access to resources in the United States and abroad.
March 2009 Breakfast:
Speaker: Douglas Findlay
Topic: Fraud Detection
The adverse impact of fraud upon a company's business activities, assets and employees and related security concerns was the main topic. Doug Findlay discussed the importance of scrutinizing business practices and procedures to protect against fraud. Mr. Findlay explored various forms of fraud that occur at companies and examined best practices and methodologies to identify, address, and prevent fraudulent activity and potential harm to businesses. Mr. Findlay has more than thirty years experience specializing in financial and operational audits and forensic accounting in the construction, manufacturing, securities, pharmaceutical and real estate industries, as well as for federal, state and local government agencies.
Mr. Findlay holds an M.B.A. from New York University.
November 2008 Breakfast:
Speakers: Michael Reilly, Partner, Bingham McCutchen, LLP
Topic: Financial Restructuring During these Difficult Times
Michael Reilly discussed how the credit crisis will impact debt restructurings. Mr. Reilly explained the trends a company will face during a workout and why good due diligence is essential. Michael Reilly is co-chair of the firm’s global Financial Restructuring Group (U.S. head), and deputy chair of the firm’s Financial Institutions Area. He has more than 25 years of experience representing public and private bondholders and lenders in financial restructurings in the U.S., Latin America, and UK/Europe in a wide array of industries.
July 2008 Breakfast:
Speakers: Joseph V. DeMarco and Andrew C. DeVore
Topic: Information Privacy and Security: Existing Threats, Emerging Regulations
Joseph V. DeMarco and Andrew C. DeVore discussed the current issues/threats for e-commerce, financial privacy and security, and identity theft. Mr. DeMarco and Mr. DeVore are partners in DeVore & DeMarco LLP. Both are former federal prosecutors from the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, where they founded the Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Unit.
April 2008 Breakfast:
Speakers: Frederick Tanne, Partner, Kirkland Ellis LLP
Topic: Private Equity Due Diligence and the Credit Markets
Fred Tanne provided perspective on the state of Private Equity in the current market conditions. He outlined the challenges investors face given the difficult market conditions and presented insight on the middle market. Mr. Tanne has been a partner at Kirkland Ellis since 1991 and is a founder of the New York office. Mr. Tanne was selected by his peers to be included in The Best Lawyers in America as one of the premier practitioners in the Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law practice area.
November 2007 Breakfast:
Speakers: Dan Farrar
Topic: Corporate Governance
Dan Farrar, Partner, Morgenthaler Partners, provided insight on how a company’s management, and it’s board of directors can work together. From the perspective of a CEO, Mr. Farrar discussed best practices that CEO’s should adopt in working with their boards. In addition, Mr. Farrar highlighted the challenges of a being a director on the board of a public company. Mr. Farrar joined Morgenthaler in 2004. Prior to joining Morgenthaler, Mr. Farrar was President and CEO of GE Fleet Services, Europe, covering 27 countries. He spent sixteen years at GE in a number of executive positions, including: GE Fleet Services’ Senior Vice President of North American operations and Managing Director and Group General Manager of United Kingdom and Ireland.
October 2007 Breakfast:
Speakers: Tyler Brown and Ann Hayes
Topic: Workplace Violence (Washington D.C. Office)
Tyler Brown, a partner at Jackson Lewis, provided an overview of workplace violence, including the dynamics, legal issues and liability. His presentation outlined warning signs and best practices for companies. Mr. Brown represents employers in labor arbitrations pursuant to collective bargaining agreements and advises clients on all manner of personnel issues. Mr. Brown regularly speaks to employer groups on such topics as handling employment litigation efficiently, sexual harassment and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Ann Hayes, IMG President, highlighted recent trends with respect to workplace violence and related security concerns. Ms. Hayes has been at the forefront of developing new procedures for dealing with workplace issues, including inventory loss, corruption, sexual harassment, violence and anti-terrorism tactics.
May 2007 Lunch:
Speakers: Robert Strang, Carlos Rosero and Joseph O’Donnell, Esq.
Topic: Lunch n Learn: Due Diligence (Miami Office)
The Florida Bar Business Law Section together with Investigative Management Group presented a CLE program on Due Diligence. This CLE presentation explained how to conduct effective due diligence in the United States, South America and around the globe. The program also highlighted best practices and recent trends in due diligence.
December 2006 Breakfast:
Speakers: Stephanie R. Breslow, Partner, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
Topic: Hedge Fund Due Diligence
Stephanie R. Breslow, a partner at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, provided current insight on the hedge fund industry. Her presentation outlined emerging regulatory issues, due diligence challenges and recent changes in the hedge fund industry. Ms. Breslow is a former chair of the Private Investment Fund Forum and is on the founding board of the Wall Street Hedge Fund Forum. She has published books and articles on investment management issues, and is a frequent speaker on investment funds, limited liability companies and partnerships.
June 2006 Breakfast:
Speaker: Michael Maxwell, Former Director of the Office of Security and Investigations for USCIS Internal Affairs unit at the Department of Homeland Security.
Topic: Protecting our Border – How Corporate America can Help
Summary: This insightful presentation provided information on border protection and the illegal immigration problems we currently face as a nation. The purpose of this presentation was to explain how businesses can assist the federal government tackle these issues. Mr. Maxwell addressed the history of illegal immigration and the security risks associated with the rising numbers of undocumented aliens. Mr. Maxwell explained that corporate management can assist with this problem by properly identifying prospective employee and performing pre-screening procedures. Mr. Maxwell’s experience as the former Director of the Office of Security and Investigations for USCIS Internal Affairs unit at the Department of Homeland Security provided for a unique perspective on this controversial topic.
February 2006 Breakfast:
Speaker: Robert Sadowski, Partner - Olshan Grundman Frome Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP
Douglas Findlay, IMG Investigator and Forensic Accounting Specialist
Topic: Monitorships and Independent Private Inspector General (IPSIG)
Summary: This presentation detailed what an IPSIG and/or Monitorship is, how it works, and the reasons why a monitorship might be used. Mr. Sadowski discussed his past experience as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York for 14 years, where he supervised civil health care fraud prosecutions. Mr. Sadowski explained the “nuts and bolts” of IPSIGs/Monitorships and explained the need for an IPSIG or an outside monitor during and after a government investigation. Mr. Findlay described his experience serving as an IPSIG for two major New York City construction firms and for the New York City Department of Investigation. As part of IPSIG duties for the New York City Department of Investigation, Mr. Findlay was instrumental in identifying and determining Labor Law 220 violations which the U.S. Government used in the prosecution of John Gotti, Jr.
November 2005 Breakfast:
Speaker: Matthew G. Spring, IMG’s Security Audit Specialist
Topic: Corporate Security in the Post 9/11 Era
Summary: This presentation detailed the current landscape of corporate security. Mr. Spring discussed why security is important and necessary for corporate executives and certain individuals both domestically and abroad. Mr. Spring underscored the need to be “proactive” in providing protection and safety. Lastly, Mr. Spring and Mr. Strang explained that under certain circumstances a “security audit” can be used to determine whether a company’s security measures can be taken as an IRS deduction. Before joining IMG, Mr. Spring was the Managing Director of Executive Protection for Vance International, where he was responsible for executive protection and threat assessment operations. Mr. Spring was Managing Director for The Potomac Group & Associates, Inc. (PG&A) where he planned and led high-risk operations for members of royal families, foreign dignitaries, U.S. military leaders and politicians, corporate CEOs and executives, celebrities, and witnesses under threat. He has also trained private and public sector personnel in protective operations and personal safety.
July 2005 Breakfast:
Speaker: Steven Cooper, Esq., Partner and Co-Chair of the Commercial Litigation Department at Anderson Kill & Olick, AND Vincent Rakoczy, IMG’s Digital Forensic Specialist
Topic: Electronic Discovery – The New Face of Litigation Today
Summary: This straight-forward presentation provided a clear understanding of how digital information is being used as a routine component for the work we perform for our clients. Mr. Cooper discussed the use of drive data and emails in litigation and highlighted several high-profile cases that hinged on digital information. Mr. Rakoczy explained how this information is actually retrieved from computers and how what appears to be “deleted” may not be. Mr. Rakoczy is a former Computer Crime investigator at the Suffolk County Police Department where he investigated identity theft, labor law violations, and theft of proprietary information.
March 2005 Breakfast:
Speaker: Dr. Mark S. Gold, Distinguished Professor at the University of Florida’s College of Medicine
Topic: Avoiding Litigation in the Workplace
Summary: Dr. Gold has represented the United States at conferences held by the United Nations and the World Health Organization throughout the world. He has worked for 30 years to create models for understanding the brain and human behavior and has developed new workplace prevention programs and treatment options. Dr. Gold has written over 900 medical articles, chapters, and abstracts in journals for health professionals and has authored 15 general audience books. At this event, Dr. Gold discussed practical and medical issues relating to workplace violence, substance abuse, discrimination, and sexual harassment.
July 2004 Breakfast:
Speaker: Joseph DeMarco, Assistant U.S. Attorney
Topic: Email Fraud and ‘Phishing’ Attacks
Summary: Joe DeMarco is a leading computer fraud expert. Joe discussed email fraud in general, as well as a new Internet crime known as "phishing," in which scam artists pretend to be banks or other institutions and use fake websites to steal victims' personal information and identities. Since email fraud is skyrocketing, this is an important topic for the entire business community
December 2003 Breakfast:
Speaker: Judge Leslie Crocker Snyder
Topic: White Collar Crime and the Criminal Justice System
Summary: Judge Snyder brought her 20 years of experience on the bench to present a judicial perspective on white collar crime. She has spent 35 years protecting New Yorkers as a prosecutor, judge and devoted public servant. She is the first woman to try felony cases and the first woman to try homicides. During her nine years as the assistant district attorney, she founded and led the Sex Crimes Prosecution Bureau, the first in the nation and a model throughout the country. Leslie Crocker Snyder has spoken out for Rockefeller Drug Law reform for ten years and will continue to work towards meaningful reform with the Legislature. Judge Snyder has recently joined the firm of Kasowitz, Benson, Torres, and Friedman, LLP.
