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Category Archives: Uncategorized
Health Plans, Their Sponsors and Others Urged To Act Promptly In Response To Premera, Anthem & Other Large Breach Reports
The breaking news here today of a data breach at Premera Blue Cross following on the heals of the recent announcements of large scale data breaches at Anthem, is another reminder that that employers and other health plan sponsors, fiduciaries, insurers specifically, and U.S. businesses need to take immediate steps to assess and tighten up their privacy, data security and data breach compliance and risk management. Health plans and their employers, administrators, insurers, and other vendors and service providers need to take immediate steps to conduct documented investigations, provide mandated breach notifications and take other actions that the Privacy, Security & Breach Notification Rules imposed by the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act and other potentially applicable laws. Depending on the scope of data impacted and their involvement with the impacted plans, employer or other plan sponsors, fiduciaries, administrators and service providers also may be subject additional responsibilities under the fiduciary responsibility requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Internal Revenue Code, and a host of other laws. Insurance industry or other vendors providing services to these plans also may face specific responsibilities under applicable insurance, health care, federal or state identity theft, privacy or data security, or other federal or state laws.
The need for prompt assessment and action is not necessarily limited to health plans and organizations sponsoring, administering or doing business with the plans involved in the Premera or Anthem breaches. The report of these and other health plan breaches, as well recent reports of identity theft and other fraud impacting federal tax returns and other large data breach reports involving retailers and other prominent businesses are spurring recognition of the large risks and need for greater scrutiny and accountability to business collection, use, and protection of sensitive personal and other data.
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Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged anthem, data breach, Data security, FACTA, finra, Gramm Leech, HIPAA, premera
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Money Services Business Pays $45K CMP For Violating BSA Reporting Requirements
Mian, Inc., doing business as Tower Package Store, a money services business (MSB) is learning an expensive of the risks of failing to report cash transactions and other anti-money laundering (AML) requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). It’s paying … 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 Compliance, directors liability, Employer, employment, facebook, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Internal Controls, labor law, linkedin, NLRB, officers liability, Risk Management, Sarbanes-Oxley, social media, Sox, unfair labor practices, union
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FFI List Search and Download Tool Added To FATCA Website
The FFI List Search and Download Tool located on the FATCA Website is now available. Use the Search and Download Tool to find out if a Foreign Financial Institution (FFI) has registered. Download an entire list of Financial Institutions or … 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 Compliance, directors liability, Employer, employment, facebook, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Internal Controls, labor law, linkedin, NLRB, officers liability, Risk Management, Sarbanes-Oxley, social media, Sox, unfair labor practices, union
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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
Posted in Bankruptcy, CEO, D&O, Director Liabiloity, Employment, Fiduciary Responsibility, Fraud, Internal Controls, M&A, Officers, Reengineering, Shareholder Liability, Tax, Uncategorized
Tagged Compliance, directors liability, Employer, employment, facebook, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Internal Controls, labor law, linkedin, NLRB, officers liability, Risk Management, Sarbanes-Oxley, social media, Sox, unfair labor practices, union
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Legislation Proposes To Change Obama Care Full-Time Employee Definition
Businesses and workers concerned that the definition of “full-time” employment as 30 hours per week in the “pay-or-play” penalties of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (commonly referred to by the public as “Obamacare”) is hurting American workers may…
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Self-Dealing Or Other Mishandling of Employee Benefit Plan Funds Risky For Fiduciaries & Those Appointing Them
New litigation against the former trustee and former investment service provider of four pension plans reminds employer or other employee benefit plan sponsors, business owners or management, investment advisors and others serving as fiduciaries or advisors of employee benefit plans…
Posted in Uncategorized
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Id & Manage Hidden Employee Benefit Exposures In Business Insolvency Or Other Transactions
The June 4, 2013 announcement of the Employee Benefit Security Administration (EBSA) provides a timely reminder to businesses sponsoring employee benefit plans, their owners and management, plan fiduciaries, banks, administrative service providers and other plan vendors, employee benefit plan and…
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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
Justice Department Charges Employer, Pension Plan With Violating USERRA Reemployment Rights
The Justice Department’s announcement today of its filing of a lawsuit charging County Employees’ and Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund of Cook County (Cook Pension Plan) and Cook County with willfully violating the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act…
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Businesses Urged To Strengthen Their Worker Classification Defenses As IRS, Other Agencies Step Up Audits & Enforcement
Businesses using non-employee workers should heed the recently announced expansion of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Voluntary Classification VCS Program (VCS Program) as yet another warning to clean up their worker classification practices and defenses for all workers performing services…
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2013 Tax Code Inflation Adjustments Announced
The Internal Revenue Service announced today annual inflation adjustments for tax year 2013, including the tax rate schedules, and other tax changes from the recently passed American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. The tax items for 2013 of greatest interest … Continue reading
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Drop In Company Stock Value Held By Benefit Plans Puts Plans, Company, Management & Fiduciaries At Risk
Companies that sponsor employee benefit plans that have purchased or own stock in their sponsor beware. Declines in the stock value of company stock purchased by employee stock ownership plans (ESOP) or other employee benefit plans in their plan sponsor … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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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 Compliance, directors liability, Disability Discrimination, Employer, employment, facebook, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Internal Controls, labor law, linkedin, NLRB, officers liability, Risk Management, Sarbanes-Oxley, social media, Sox, unfair labor practices, union
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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
Posted in Bankruptcy, CEO, D&O, Director Liabiloity, Employment, Fiduciary Responsibility, Fraud, Internal Controls, M&A, Officers, Reengineering, Shareholder Liability, Tax, Uncategorized
Tagged Compliance, Data security, directors liability, Disability Discrimination, Employer, employment, facebook, FACTA, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, health care, HIPAA, Internal Controls, labor law, linkedin, NLRB, officers liability, PCI, personal consumer information, Privacy, Risk Management, Sarbanes-Oxley, social media, Sox, unfair labor practices, union
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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.
Posted in Bankruptcy, CEO, Director Liabiloity, Employment, Internal Controls, M&A, Reengineering, Uncategorized
Tagged Compliance, Employer, Human Resources, Labor-Management, NLRA, NLRB, Reengineering, Risk Managment, union
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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
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
Posted in Bankruptcy, CEO, D&O, Director Liabiloity, Employment, Fiduciary Responsibility, Fraud, Internal Controls, M&A, Officers, Reengineering, Shareholder Liability, Tax, Uncategorized
Tagged Compliance, directors liability, Employer, employment, facebook, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Internal Controls, labor law, linkedin, NLRB, officers liability, Risk Management, Sarbanes-Oxley, social media, Sox, unfair labor practices, union
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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
Posted in Bankruptcy, CEO, D&O, Director Liabiloity, Employment, Fiduciary Responsibility, Fraud, Internal Controls, M&A, Officers, Reengineering, Shareholder Liability, Tax, Uncategorized
Tagged Compliance, directors liability, Disability Discrimination, Employer, employment, facebook, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Internal Controls, labor law, linkedin, NLRB, officers liability, Risk Management, Sarbanes-Oxley, social media, Sox, unfair labor practices, union
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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.
Posted in Bankruptcy, CEO, D&O, Director Liabiloity, Employment, Fiduciary Responsibility, Fraud, Internal Controls, M&A, Officers, Reengineering, Shareholder Liability, Tax, Uncategorized
Tagged Compliance, directors liability, Disability Discrimination, Employer, employment, facebook, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Internal Controls, labor law, linkedin, NLRB, officers liability, Risk Management, Sarbanes-Oxley, social media, Sox, unfair labor practices, union
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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.
Posted in Bankruptcy, CEO, D&O, Director Liabiloity, Employment, Fiduciary Responsibility, Fraud, Internal Controls, M&A, Officers, Reengineering, Shareholder Liability, Tax, Uncategorized
Tagged Compliance, directors liability, Employer, employment, facebook, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Internal Controls, labor law, linkedin, NLRB, officers liability, Risk Management, Sarbanes-Oxley, social media, Sox, unfair labor practices, union
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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
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.
Posted in Bankruptcy, CEO, D&O, Director Liabiloity, Employment, Fiduciary Responsibility, Fraud, Internal Controls, M&A, Officers, Reengineering, Shareholder Liability, Tax, Uncategorized
Tagged Compliance, directors liability, discrimination, Employer, employment, facebook, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Internal Controls, labor law, linkedin, NLRB, officers liability, real estate, Risk Management, Sarbanes-Oxley, social media, Sox, unfair labor practices, union
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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
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.
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.
Posted in Bankruptcy, CEO, D&O, Director Liabiloity, Employment, Fiduciary Responsibility, Fraud, Internal Controls, M&A, Officers, Reengineering, Shareholder Liability, Tax, Uncategorized
Tagged Compliance, directors liability, Employer, employment, facebook, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Internal Controls, labor law, linkedin, NLRB, officers liability, Risk Management, Sarbanes-Oxley, social media, Sox, unfair labor practices, union
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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.
Posted in Bankruptcy, CEO, D&O, Director Liabiloity, Employment, Fiduciary Responsibility, Fraud, Internal Controls, M&A, Officers, Reengineering, Shareholder Liability, Tax, Uncategorized
Tagged Compliance, directors liability, Employer, employment, facebook, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Internal Controls, labor law, linkedin, NLRB, officers liability, Risk Management, Sarbanes-Oxley, social media, Sox, unfair labor practices, union
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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
Posted in Bankruptcy, CEO, D&O, Director Liabiloity, Employment, Fiduciary Responsibility, Fraud, Internal Controls, M&A, Officers, Reengineering, Shareholder Liability, Tax, Uncategorized
Tagged Compliance, directors liability, Employer, employment, facebook, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Internal Controls, labor law, linkedin, NLRB, officers liability, Risk Management, Sarbanes-Oxley, social media, Sox, unfair labor practices, union
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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
Posted in Bankruptcy, CEO, D&O, Director Liabiloity, Employment, Fiduciary Responsibility, Fraud, Internal Controls, M&A, Officers, Reengineering, Shareholder Liability, Tax, Uncategorized
Tagged affirmative action, Compliance, directors liability, education law, Employer, employment, facebook, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Internal Controls, labor law, linkedin, NLRB, officers liability, public education, race discrimination, Risk Management, Sarbanes-Oxley, school, social media, Sox, unfair labor practices, union
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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
Posted in Bankruptcy, CEO, D&O, Director Liabiloity, Employment, Fiduciary Responsibility, Fraud, Internal Controls, M&A, Officers, Reengineering, Shareholder Liability, Tax, Uncategorized
Tagged Compliance, directors liability, Employer, employment, facebook, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Internal Controls, labor law, linkedin, NLRB, officers liability, Risk Management, Sarbanes-Oxley, social media, Sox, unfair labor practices, union
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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
Posted in Bankruptcy, CEO, D&O, Director Liabiloity, Employment, Fiduciary Responsibility, Fraud, Internal Controls, M&A, Officers, Reengineering, Shareholder Liability, Tax, Uncategorized
Tagged Compliance, directors liability, Employer, employment, facebook, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Internal Controls, labor law, linkedin, NLRB, officers liability, Risk Management, Sarbanes-Oxley, social media, Sox, unfair labor practices, union
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Cynthia Marcotte Stamer
slproc.com 
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