Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'fraud'

House Panel Questioning SEC Auditors On Madoff

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:05:00 EST

The panel wants to find out why the agency didn't detect $50 billion in alleged fraud by Bernard Madoff's investment firm, despite numerous warnings dating back to at least 1999.

Affinity Fraud Preys On Group's Trust

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

The alleged Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme is the latest example of a crime referred to as affinity fraud. The SEC has warned about these crimes, in which a member of an ethnic or religious group preys on his own. Ronald Cass, dean emeritus of the Boston University Law School, wrote about affinity fraud recently in The Wall Street Journal. He talks with Linda Wertheimer about why affinity fraud is relatively easy to pull off.

Fraud Probe Moves Beyond Madoff

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

As the investigation of a gigantic fraud scheme continues, a subpoena has been issued to an accountant who audited Bernard Madoff's books, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The Economy This Week: Apologies And Proposals

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

There was lots of economic news this week. President-elect Obama and Congressional Democrats proposed an $850 billion stimulus package. More details emerged about how the Securities and Exchange Commission failed to investigate a massive fraud an emergency bailout plan for automakers. NPR's Scott Simon talks to David Leonhardt, an economics columnist for the New York Times, about this week's economic news.

Connecticut Puts The Squeeze On Olive Oil Fraud

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:05:00 EST

Good olive oil is expensive to produce, so it's no surprise that some people are trying to pass off a low grade product. Now, they'll face the wrath of the state of Connecticut — the first state in the country to set standards for the purity of olive oil.

Madoff's Ponzi Scheme Scams Smart Money

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

Many of the people who lost money in the alleged fraud case involving Bernard Madoff were sophisticated and successful. So it may be surprising to learn that those investors would put billions of dollars into what is being labeled as one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in history. The sums may be shocking but the dynamics at work in that case are familiar.

Q&A: Fallout From An Investment Scheme

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:27:00 EST

Bernard Madoff was arrested on Dec. 11 by the FBI and charged, along with his investment firm with securities fraud. There's a growing list of investors including some of the world's largest banks that may have been defrauded of up to $50 billion. Here, a look at who he is and who's been hurt by this latest crisis.

Client Learns Madoff Returns Worthless

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

Investors were left holding a $50 billion-bag this week when money manager Bernard Madoff admitted to what could may be the largest Ponzi scheme ever. Barbara Flood lost a great deal of money in the fraud case.

Influential Wall Street Figure Arrested

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:29:00 EST

Bernard Madoff, a well-known figure on Wall Street, has worked there for nearly 50 years. On Thursday, he was arrested for running what the Securities and Exchange Commission called "a stunning fraud of epic proportions." Madoff also faces criminal charges.

Illinois Governor Accused Of Trying To Sell Senate Seat

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

Rod Blagojevich was arrested this morning on charges of conspiracy to commit fraud and solicitation of bribery. He is accused of trying to leverage his authority to appoint a senator to fill the vacancy left by Barack Obama for his personal gain. We run through the details.

Paper Steals Empire State Building

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:46:00 EST

It took just 90 minutes for journalists at the New York Daily News to "steal" the Empire State Building. As part of an investigation into mortgage fraud, the journalists transferred the building's ownership deed with a forged notary stamp. The buyer? Nelots Properties. Netlots reads "stolen" backwards. Fay Wray — star of the original King Kong movie — was listed as a witness. The paper fessed up and returned the landmark building the next day.

Little Support For Trafficked Women In Russia

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

Russia has become a prime source, transit point and destination for trafficking in women — what the U.N. defines as abuse of women involving force, fraud, coercion and deception. And some say the government isn't helping victims.

Will The Rich Pardon Trip Up Obama's Pick For AG...

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:43:00 EST

When Eric Holder served as deputy attorney general under President Clinton, he pardoned Marc Rich, who'd been charged with fraud and tax evasion, and whose ex-wife contributed thousands of dollars to the Clintons. At the time, many considered the move scandalous.

Bangkok Court Ruling Disbands Thai Government

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

In Bangkok, Thailand, the Constitutional Court has dissolved the country's top three ruling parties over electoral fraud. The ruling brings down the government, and sets the stage for thousands of protesters to end their siege of the country's two main airports.

Glenn Fine Praised As Model Inspector General

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:54:00 EST

He has investigated waste, fraud and abuse — and a Justice Department scandal over political partisanship in hiring practices. That kind of investigation can make someone a bull's-eye for political arrows, but it hasn't happened with Fine.

Illegal Campaign Donations Spur Calls For Change

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:49:00 EDT

The campaign finance system was designed when a few people wrote big checks. Campaigns, especially Democrat Barack Obama's campaign, are gathering lots of little donations. Finding fraud requires a new paradigm.

Voting Jitters In Missouri

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Fraud, long-lines and too few ballots are among the list of concerns that elections officials in Missouri face less than two weeks from Election Day.

FBI Opens Investigation Into ACORN

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:11:00 EDT

Farai Chideya talks with NPR correspondent Peter Overby about the FBI investigation of ACORN, the grassroots activist group under investigation for possible voter registration fraud.

Mistrust Runs High As Early Voters Cast Ballots

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:26:00 EDT

The integrity of previous elections has suffered from faulty machines and problematic ballots. In the 2008 election, unreliable voter registration has emerged as a major concern. Republicans are accusing the Democrats of fraud, and the Democrats are blaming the Republicans for voter disenfranchisement.

Air Bag Fraud: How To Protect Yourself

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 00:21:00 EDT

Victims of air bag fraud have found beer cans, packing peanuts and paper where their air bag should have been. Who's watching out for consumers, and how can you avoid such scams?

ACORN Has Long Been In Republicans' Cross Hairs

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:51:00 EDT

Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign, the Republican National Committee and others have accused ACORN of widespread voter fraud. It's the latest, and most bitter, battle in a long conflict between conservatives and the grassroots group.

Ahead Of Vote, GOP Alleges Voter Fraud

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:18:00 EDT

Republicans have raised the prospect that voter fraud could affect the outcome of the election. But some experts think the GOP might be laying the groundwork for a potential challenge in a close election. Democrats say the Republicans are trying to intimidate voters.

Republicans, ACORN Spar Over Voter Registration

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:50:00 EDT

Charges of voter fraud have been growing in recent weeks, most notably with Republican attacks against ACORN, an anti-poverty group. But the intensity of the attacks has also raised questions about Republican motives.

Air Bag Fraud: Underreported 'Life And Death Scam'

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:03:00 EDT

A Weekend Edition investigation shows that some unscrupulous auto repair shops and used-car dealers have victimized consumers by stealing or not replacing air bags. Get tips for spotting air bag fraud and see what one victim found inside her car.

Quirk In Ohio Law Permits Same-Day Voting

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

People in Ohio this week may register to vote and cast an absentee ballot on the same day. Critics, including state Republicans, say this may open the door to voter fraud. Election officials are hoping to avoid a replay of 2004 when some people had to wait hours to vote.