Category Archives: Internal Controls

June 16 Deadline Nears for Taxpayers Living Abroad; June 4 IRS Webinar Can Help Those Reporting Foreign Accounts


Taxpayers abroad qualifying for an automatic two-month extension must file their 2013 federal income tax returns by Monday, June 16, according to the Internal Revenue Service. The June 16 deadline applies to U.S. citizens and resident aliens living overseas, or … Continue reading

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Justice Department ADA, Fair Housing Disability Discrimination Settlement with Design Professionals Highlights Growing Disability Discrimination Exposures


A settlement announced May 16, 2013 reminds U.S. housing and other businesses of their growing exposure to disability discrimination claims.  Justice Department Nails Architects & Engineers For Disability Discrimination On May 16, 2013, the Justice Department announced a $865,000 settlement … Continue reading

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Update ESOPs For New Investment Diversification Guidance


Fiduciaries, administrators, sponsors, advisors, trustees and others with involvement or responsibility for Employee Stoc Option Plans(ESOPs) should review these rules and ensure that appropriate steps are taken to update their plan terms and practices to comply with new rules scheduled to be published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin on May 13, 2013 by the Internal Revenue Service concerning investment diversification.
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Posted in CEO, D&O, Deferred Compensation Plans, Director Liabiloity, Employee Benefits, Employment, ESOP, Health Plans, Internal Controls, Officers, Reengineering, Retirement Plans, Stock Plans, Tax | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FTC Settlement With Mobile Device & App Developer Shows Developers & Businesses Need To Manage Mobile App & Data Security


Businesses using mobile devices or applications and the mobile device or other technology developers and providers need to get serious about security.  With technology and other business providers use of mobile applications in marketing and other business uses proliferating, the … Continue reading

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Texas Champion Bank Settlement of Charges of Illegal Lending Discrimination Reminder To Business To Tighten Business Practices


A Justice Department settlement with Texas Champion Bank of Alice, Texas is the latest reminder to U.S. lenders and other businesses of the importance of ensuring that their lending and other business practices are defensible under defensible under U.S. discrimination … Continue reading

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Food Allergies May Be Disabilities Requiring Accommodation Under The ADA


The Justice Department’s recently Lesley  University Settlement (Settlement)  announced by the Justice Department on December, 21, 2012 should be a reminder to employers and others covered by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of the potential advisability of establishing policies or … Continue reading

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12/31 Hiring Deadline To Claim Work Opportunity Tax Credit For Hiring Vets


U.S. businesses planning to hire for positions that veterans qualify for might want to make their hiring decision by December 31, 2012 to take advantage of a possible opportunity to receive a Work Opportunity Tax Credit. Employers planning to claim an … Continue reading

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RIFS & Other Workforce Changes Require Careful Legal & Operational Management


Hotel Bel-Air Gets Labor Gocha When Offering Severance A National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decision that nails Hotel Bel-Air (Hotel) for offering severance packages to unionized workers highlights one of a range of potentially costly missteps that businesses conducting reductions … Continue reading

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Brace For New Disability Discrimination Claims In Response To October, 2012 Disability Awareness Month Celebrations


President Obama’s declaration today (October 1, 2012) of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month reminds business that U.S. businesses and their leaders need to tighten their disability discrimination risk management and compliance in light of the Obama Administration’s emphasis on … Continue reading

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ARRA, Other Government Contractors Face Growing Enforcement & Audit Risks


Government contractors need to tighten compliance and risk management in light of rising OFCCP and other enforcement. Continue reading

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Disability Exposures Big US Business Risk; New DOD App Helps ID Resources


Businesses and individuals looking to find solutions to help accommodate persons with disabilities may find a new free app for Apple Devices from the Department of Defense (DOD) Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program helpful.  The new application now available in the iTunes App store … Continue reading

Posted in Bankruptcy, CEO, D&O, Director Liabiloity, Employment, Fiduciary Responsibility, Fraud, Internal Controls, M&A, Officers, Reengineering, Shareholder Liability, Tax, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Personal Consumer Information Protection in Hospital/Healthcare Setting At HIMSS November 11


Stamer Speaks on “PCI In the Hospital/Healthcare Setting” on 11/1 in LA Cynthia Marcotte Stamer will speak on “PCI In The Hospital/Healthcare Setting” at the Privacy and Security Forum in Los Angeles, CA on Thursday, November 1. About The Program … Continue reading

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Obama Administration Continues War On Management Despite NLRB’s Tempoary Setback In Suit Against Arizona Secret Ballot Law


Businesses concerned about Obama Administration-backed efforts to promote its pro-labor agenda must stay diligent. Although a U.S. District Court judge in Arizona this week rejected a bid by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to have an Arizona state constitutional amendment requiring secret balloting in union organizing campaigns invalidated as preëmpted by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRB) on its face, the Court left the door open for a potentially successful challenge to the Arizona secret ballot amendment in the future depending on how Arizona applies the law. Furthermore, considered in the context of the Obama Administration’s broader pro-union regulatory and enforcement agenda, the NLRB’s challenge to the Arizona and other state secret ballot laws reminds businesses that their operation face a minefield of mounting labor-management relations risks. In light of these expanding exposures, business leaders should update their policies and practices to mitigate the rising risks while keeping a close eye on the Obama Administration’s ongoing effort to expand the power of organized labor by challenging secret ballot mandates in Arizona and other states and the plethora of other pro-union regulatory and enforcement efforts.

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Posted in Bankruptcy, CEO, Director Liabiloity, Employment, Internal Controls, M&A, Reengineering, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Companies, Officers, Directors, Fiduciaries & Vendors Urged To Confirm ERISA Credentials & Bonding For Internal Staff, Plan Fidiciaries, Vendors Dealing With Benefits


Businesses sponsoring employee benefit plans and officers, directors, employees and others acting as fiduciaries with respect to these employee benefit plans should take steps to confirm that all of the appropriate fiduciary bonds required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of … Continue reading

Posted in CEO, D&O, Director Liabiloity, Employee Benefits, Fiduciary Responsibility, Fraud, Internal Controls, Officers | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Businesses Looking For Investment Without Registration Should Ensure Accredited Investor & Other Security Practices Up-To-Date


Public companies trading on national securities exchanges may need to update proxy disclosures on the use of consultants and adjust Board compensation committee practices in response to new rules implementing Section 10C of the Securities and Exchange Act (SEC) enacted as … Continue reading

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IRS Shares Model Section 83(b) Election Language; Execs & Companies Should Use Care When Handling Tax, Other Compensation Matters


New model notice to help Continue reading

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Record $10M Plus Housing Disability Discrimination Settlement Shows Disability Exposures Big US Business Risk


 A $10,250,000  settlement announced by the Justice Department today (June 25, 2012) with JPI Construction L.P. (JPI) and six other JPI firms is the largest-ever disability-based housing discrimination settlement discriminated. The settlement resolves Justice Department charges the JPI and its affiliates illegally discriminated on the … Continue reading

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Obama’s Comments Remind Businesses Of Rising Disability Discrimination Enforcement Risks On Olmstead Anniversary


Statements made today (June 22, 2012) by the Obama Administration confirm that U.S. businesses face a continuing and growing need to be on guard to defend against potential disability discrimination liabilities.

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June 30 Deadline To Report Foreign Bank and Financial Account Information Looming


Got a foreign bank account? You may need to get moving to avoid missing an important reporting deadline on June 30.

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Businesses Looking For Investment Without Registration Should Ensure Accredited Investor & Other Security Practices Up-To-Date


Businesses looking to raise investment from private investors without registration in accordance with applicable federal and state securities laws requirements for publicly traded investments need to exercise care that their practices meet all requirements, particularly in light of recent changes to … Continue reading

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Landlords, Lenders & Other Businesses Face Growing Exposures For Failing To Accommodate Special Needs Of Customers


Businesses should take steps to make sure that their business properties, operations and people are properly prepared to meet the special needs of customers and other persons with disabilities, language restrictions or other protected status requiring accommodation in light of the growing emphasis of the Obama Administration on enforcing disability discrimination laws.

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UTD, Others Offer Corporate Leaders Tips On “Succeeding with Financing in a Time of Economic Uncertainty” At 2/29 Program


Corporate Directors, Executives and Financial Officers may want to check out the program on “Succeeding with financing in a time of economic uncertainty” that The Center for Finance Strategy Innovation (CFSI) and The Institute for Excellence in Corporate Governance (IECG) Of The University of Texas at Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management plan to present on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 11:30am – 1:30pm in the Executive Education Dining Room (JSOM 1.606), Naveen Jindal School of Management

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Strategic Preparation & Planning Promote Change Readiness & Effectiveness


In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, the ability of businesses and their leaders to respond appropriately and effectively to changing circumstances often is key to success. Effectiveness often comes from planning and execution.

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Posted in Bankruptcy, CEO, D&O, Director Liabiloity, Employment, Internal Controls, Reengineering, Shareholder Liability, Tax, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Georgia Manufacturer Requiring Excessive I-9 Work Eligibility Documentation Nailed For Illegal Discrimination


The Justice Department’s December 30, 2011 announcement of its negotiation of a settlement with small Georgia rug manufacturer Garland Sales Inc. (Garland) shows all businesses run big risks for violating Federal Civil Rights and other employment discrimination laws. Careful processes and procedures to balance compliance with I-9 documentation rules and exposures to discrimination charges.

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Record-Breaking Countrywide Settlement Highlights Rising Exposures of US Businesses To Discrimination Prosecution


The Obama Administration sent another sharp reminder to U.S. businesses about their growing exposure to prosecution for illegal discrimination practices when it filed its largest residential fair lending settlement in history this week.

The latest in a stream of discrimination enforcement actions taken by the Obama Administration against U.S. businesses for alleged violations of U.S. civil rights and other discrimination laws, the settlement agreement announced December 21, 2011 provides for payment of $335 million in compensation to the more than 200,000 qualified African-American and Hispanic borrowers that Federal officials allege were victims of the widespread pattern or practice of illegal discrimination against qualified African-American and Hispanic borrowers by Countrywide Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries (Countrywide) while Countrywide served as one of the nation’s largest single-family mortgage lenders and originated more than 4 million residential mortgage loans. Bank of America now owns Countrywide.

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IRS Releases Guidance on Foreign Financial Asset Reporting


The Internal Revenue Service in coming days will release a new information reporting form that taxpayers will use starting this coming tax filing season to report specified foreign financial assets for tax year 2011. US businesses with foreign assets or accounts need … Continue reading

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New School Racial Accommodation Guidance Gives Important Insights For Schools & Other Organizations On Obama Administration Affirmative Action Enforcement


Race One Of Many Enforcement Priorities On Administration Agenda Schools as well as U.S. private businesses and governmental agencies generally should examine two new guidance documents available here detailing what voluntary affirmative action and racial integration options that the Obama … Continue reading

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Justice Department Landlord Suit Shows Businesses Face Rising Disability Discrimination Enforcement Risks


DOJ Sues Another Landloard For Disability Discrimination Latest Action Shows Obama Justice Department Aggressively Enforcing Discrimination Laws The Justice Department on November 23, 2011 sued the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK), the Board of Regents of the University of … Continue reading

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Businesses Face Rising Disability Discrimination Enforcement Risks


Enforcing disability discrimination laws is a high priority of the Obama Administration Business leaders increasingly recognize the need to tighten procedures to manage disability discrimination risks.  The rising tide of enforcement actions highlights this expanding exposure. The July, 2011 Justice … Continue reading

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97 Months Prison Sentence For Virginia Businessman Shows Risks of Misleading Investors


The sentencing of a Virginia business man provides a sharp reminder to businesses and others offering investment opportunities to avoid making unsupportable promises or engaging in other communications or actions that could mislead investors.

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