By and About William P. Barrett

Published Material 2010-2011

2011

   IRS Blocks Peddling Of $24 Billion In Tax Credits (Lamar Ellis once tried to get on the Forbes 400 list), Forbes.com, December 30, 2011.

   From Seattle, the mountains are out—or in—or somewhere (What is the true meaning of this quaint expression for a sunny day?) NewToSeattle.com, December 28, 2011.

   Big New Mexico Ponzi Case Results in Guilty Plea  (Douglas Vaughan faces 10-to-12 year prison sentence in $75 million fraud), Forbes.com, December 22, 2011.

   Steve Jobs Biographer: Paid Twice For Full-Time Work? (Walter Isaacson’s nonprofit job for $816,000 coincided with work on big book), Forbes.com, December 20, 2011.     

   Crime-wise, Seattle is a tough city, at least for property (Compared with peer cities, people are a lot safer than their possessions), NewToSeattle.com, December 19, 2011.

   Seattle police ruffle a lot of jaywalker feathers (Cops give new meaning to ‘cracking down’ on violators), NewToSeattle.com, December 16, 2011.

   SEC Sues Sports-Movie Figure for Pump-And-Dump Fraud (Rudy Ruettiger agrees to settle SEC charges without admitting liability), Forbes.com, December 16, 2011.

   SEC Sues 6 Ex-Fannie and Freddie Execs For Securities Fraud (Two companies acknowledge responsibility, agree to help feds build their case), Forbes.com, December 16, 2011.

   Public Company Files For Bankruptcy—Very Quietly (Knoxville’s Americas Energy lists cash of just $1,885), Forbes.com, December 12, 2011.

   I officially live in ‘Metronatural’ Seattle—with my clothes on (Local image-makers adopted the brand five years ago), NewToSeattle.com, December 9, 2011.

   Donated Medicines Make Some Charities Look Too Good On Paper  (Meds that cost just 2 cents are put on financial statements for as much as $16.25), Forbes, December 19, 2011, p. 88.

   Brooke Astor Estate Now Faces $62 Million Attack By IRS (Feds seek their share of fortune already looted by convicted son), Forbes.com, December 7, 2011.      

   IRS Backs Off On Penalties Against Billionaire Leon Cooperman (But he’s still paying $14 million for botched charitable contribution), Forbes.com, December 6, 2011.

   Walmart, Merrill Lynch Agree To Pay $13.5 Million To Settle 401(k) Fiduciary Lawsuit (Settlement admits no wrongdoing), Forbes.com, December 5, 2011.

   Insurance For The Smaller Things In Life (You can get coverage for bridges with cold feet, blogger libel and even alien abductions), Forbes, December 5, 2011, p. 206.

   The Largest 200 U.S. Charities For 2011 (annual list), with SLIDE SHOWS of the 20 largest, 20 most efficient, 20 least efficient, and tips to avoid charity rip-offs, Forbes.com, November 30, 2011.

   How youth soccer explains Seattle (Sport reflects local conditions and customs), SeattleToSeattle.com, November 24, 2011.

   L.A. weather suddenly looks pretty good to folks in Seattle (Gathering gloom makes locals look longingly toward Southern California), NewToSeattle.com, November 17, 2011.

   Bicyclists lose, boozers win in Seattle vote (Tax to build bike paths goes down, while Costco wins right to sell hard stuff), NewToSeattle.com. November 9, 2011.

   Scandal Erupts Over Inflated Drug Values Used By Charities (Islamic Relief USA says it is shocked to learn that $16.25 pills really cost just 2 cents), Forbes.com, November 4, 2011.

   Unlike Madoff, The SEC Really Went After Vesco (Before he became a fugitive financier in the 1970s, the now-tarnished agency grilled him nine times under oath), Forbes.com, November 2, 2011.

   Ballot propositions are just as nutsy in Seattle (Truth is in short supply), NewToSeattle.com, October 28, 2011

   Poor Seattle: ‘Viadoom’ gets far more buzz than ‘Carmageddon’ (Little note taken elsewhere of gigantic traffic disruption), NewToSeattle.com, October 24, 2011, and Forbes.com.

   Watch Your Wallet: Big Stock Brokerages Eye Indexed Annuities (High cost and illiquidity still plague product), Forbes.com, October 19, 2011.

   The bicycle wars of Seattle, NewToSeattle.com, October 19, 2011.

   Dubious AIDS Charity Makes New Pitch (Pretty video for American Foundation for Children with AIDS carries some heavy baggage), Forbes.com, October 18, 2011.

   You know you’re from Seattle when ... (The quirks of the self-styled Emerald City are numerous and defining), NewToSeattle.com, October 5, 2011.

   How To Blow Your Retirement Savings (One big way is to make psychological errors in investing), Forbes.com, October 3, 2011.

   Vitamin D and other things they advertise in Seattle (You can tell a lot about the nature of a region by what gets marketed), NewToSeattle.com, September 29, 2011.

   Okay, you Texas patriots, at least spell his name right (The name of Alamo commander William Barret Travis has just one T), NewToSeattle.com, September 26, 2011.

   Cities That Will Help You Stay Active In Retirement (Our list of 25 goes coast to coast), Forbes.com, September 26, 2011.

   The Merry Scamsters of Spokane Strike Again! (SEC charges payday loan business owner with running a Ponzi), Forbes.com, September 22, 2011.

   The usual suspects of Seattle (plus one) (Seven around Puget Sound make the Forbes 400 list), NewToSeattle.com, September 21, 2011.

   How ‘Social Security Is A Ponzi’ Helped Forbes Win Libel Case (Maine trial turned on evolving dual meaning), Forbes.com, September 16, 2011.

   Witless in Seattle (Movie-inspired references permeate the local scene), NewToSeattle.com, September 15, 2011.

   The weedy blogs of Seattle (It's an untrimmed scene with occasional bursts of color), NewToSeattle.com, September 9, 2011.

   GAO: IRS Whistleblower Program Still Needs A Lot Of Work  (Agency officials have little idea what’s going on), Forbes.com, September 9, 2011.

   How Today’s Field Measures Up To The 10 Richest U.S. Presidents (In most cases, very poorly), with SLIDE SHOW of the richest presidents, Forbes.com, September 8, 2011.

   How To Pick A Financial Advisor (The trick is to find good help that creates added value), with SLIDE SHOW,   Forbes.com,  September 8, 2011.

   Protection Racket (The new Janus Protected Series-Growth fund promises you won’t lose more than 20%), Forbes, September 26, 2011, p. 50.

   Volatility Is Your Friend (With a little sense and a lot of guts you can protect yourself—and yes, profit—from the stock market’s wild swings. Really)(with co-author), Forbes, September 12, 2011, p. 30.

   They still drive politely in Seattle—-and still not very well (City falls even lower in Allstate safe-driver rankings), NewToSeattle.com, September 2, 2011.

   Talking trash in Seattle (Confusion about recycling rules extends to those doing the collecting), NewToSeattle.com, August 31, 2011.

    Volatility Is Your Friend (With a little sense and a lot of guts you can protect yourself—and yes, profit—from the stock market’s wild swings. Really)(with co-author), Forbes, September 12, 2011, p. 30.

   Sense of humor in Seattle seems to be elusive (Jokes about local matter don’t appear to go over well), NewToSeattle.com, August 26, 2011.

   ‘Jewish Indiana Jones’ Faces Fraud Charges (Feds say rabbi Menachem Youlus swindled donors by making up stories about finding hidden Torahs from the Holocaust), Forbes.com, August 24, 2011.

   Seattle’s funky Fremont area is named after a war criminal (John C. Frémont during his colorful life was a military officer, politician, businessman--and murderer), NewToSeattle.com, August 17, 2011.

   Seattle drivers are very, very polite, but are they any good? (One insurance company says no), NewToSeattle.com, August 13, 2011.

   The dark underside of Seattle elections (Why are so many “security measures” needed, including public video?) NewToSeattle.com, August 5, 2011.

   Signless in Seattle (Street signage resembles my time in Cairo, Egypt), NewToSeattle.com, August 4, 2011.

   Suburbs Can Be Comfortable For Retirement (Forbes lists 25 top towns) with SLIDE SHOW, Forbes.com, August 1, 2011.

   My dog’s death in Seattle triggers thoughts about economics (Her nearly 15 years cost exactly $36,846.24), NewToSeattle.com, July 28, 2011, and Forbes.com, July 29, 2011.

   Is Comcast headquartered near Lake Woebegon? (Too bad the company isn’t as funny as Garrison Keillor), NewToSeattle.com, July 15, 2011, and Forbes.com, July 15, 2011.

   Recent Fraud Cases Show Investors Must Remain Vigilant (Bernie Madoff may have been one of a kind, but smaller scams are flourishing), Forbes.com, July 13, 2011.

   Why is Seattle so defensive about its weather? (Some actually apologize for it to a total stranger like me), NewToSeattle.com, July 8, 2011.

   My quirky test for gauging the economy in Seattle (You can listen to the experts or heed what I do), NewToSeattle.com, July 6, 2011, and Forbes.com, July 7, 2011. 

   Michael Jackson’s Former Manager Pleads Guilty to Tax Charges (Ramone Bain didn’t file her own tax returns for three years), Forbes.com, June 22, 2011.

   Tax Whistleblower Loses Dillon Fortune (Tax Court rules it lacks authority to override IRS decision not to pursue informant’s tip), Forbes.com, June 21, 2011.

   Games Lawyers Play With History In Los Angeles (They call someone a ‘direct descendant’ of a person who died childless), Forbes.com, June 10, 2011.

   Dancing With Deficits (If you’re nearing retirement, here’s how to prepare for Social Security and Medicare cuts), Forbes, June 27, 2011, p. 84.

   IRS: Billionaire Carl Berg Understated Business Income By $110 Million (Silicon Valley landlord, investor files lawsuit to fight $44 million IRS bill), Forbes.com, June 7, 2011.

   The Best Foreign Retirement Havens For 2011 (Annual Forbes list contains some surprises), with SLIDE SHOW, Forbes.com, May 19, 2011.

   A 2007 Forbes Story Presaged New Loretta Fredy Bush Indictment (Her old problems included IRS claims she treated income

as loans to avoid taxes), Forbes.com, May 16, 2011.

   The Retirement Spending Solution (Bill Bengen defends his famous rule that that retirees can spend 4.5% of their savings a year and not outlive their money), Forbes, May 23, 2011, p. 46.

   Names You Need To Know: Backblaze (Cloud-based computer backup service offers simplicity, cheap price), Forbes.com, May 3, 2011.

   The One-Email Conde Nast Scammer Gives Up His $8 Million (Andy Surface ‘waives’ claim to money that publisher wired to a sound-alike account), Forbes.com, April 27, 2011.    

   ‘Donald Duck’ Gets Okay To Use IRS Site Plagued By Identity Theft (Loose controls allowed someone to swipe the tax persona of 2,300 nonprofits), Forbes.com, April 14, 2011.

   Massive Identity Theft With Help From The IRS (Agency database lists 2,300 nonprofits with same charity official and same Las Vegas mail drop), Forbes.com, April 13. 2011.

   IRS Targets 9,000 Taxpayers With Offshore Accounts Linked To India (Agency seeks to force HSBC India to name names), Forbes.com, April 7, 2011.

   Repeal Of Form 1099 Expansion Heads To Obama (Move represents partial retreat of Obamacare), Forbes.com, April 5, 2011.

   Conde Nast Paid $8 Million To Scammer Who Sent One Email (But money largely was found intact in two Texas bank accounts)(with co-author), Forbes.com, April 3, 2011.

   Chances Of Tax Audit Small But Growing: Are You A Target? (IRS follows famous m.o. of bank robber Willie Sutton), with SLIDE SHOW OF 15 WAYS TO INVITE AN AUDIT, Forbes.com, April 1, 2011.

   A Little More Detail on Trip Hawkins And His $61 Million Tax Shelters (KPMG played role in orchestrating strategies the IRS  said were bogus), Forbes.com, March 29, 2011.    

   Trip Hawkins: ‘I Am Facing Some Tough Issues; (But gaming industry pioneer says legal woes won’t distract him from new company), Forbes.com, March 28, 2011.

   Video Gaming Pioneer Trip Hawkins Is Still On The Hook For Big Taxes (Judge won’t let him use personal bankruptcy to cancel estimated $20 million-plus bill stemming from long-ago use of abusive tax shelters),  Forbes.com, March 25, 2011.

   IRS Targets Family Real Estate Transfers (Feds seek state records to see if generous parents gave homes without filing a gift tax return), Forbes.com, March 24, 2011.

   The Best Retirement Places (We looked at taxes, living costs, weather, opportunities to stay active, doctors, crime and other data to find 16 top cities)(with co-author), Forbes, April 11, 2011. p. 65.

   Pension Hunting (Here’s how to find and get all the retirement benefits you’ve earned), Forbes, April 11, 2011, p. 63, with SLIDE SHOW OF TIPS.

   Beware New Japan Disaster Relief Web Sites (Past calamities spawned efforts run by amateurs and fraudsters), Forbes.com, March 14, 2011.

   Jailed Wesley Snipes Appeals His Tax Convictions To The Supremes (He argues criminal case was brought in the wrong state), Forbes.com, March 2, 2011.

   New Mexico Ponzi Indictment Highlights Greed Of Victims (600 investors around the country swallowed promise of high returns with low risk), Forbes.com, March 1, 2011.

   No Cash, Negative Net Worth, But One-Day Stock Rise of 340% (Royal Energy Resources shares zoom after it issues press release about another company’s project), Forbes.com, February 28, 2011.

   U.S. Charges 4 Swiss Bankers With Plotting Tax Evasion (Internet searches suggest they worked for Credit Suisse), Forbes.com,  February 23, 2011.

   Average U.S. Sales Tax Rate Hits Record High (Tuba City, Ariz. tops list with 13.725%), with SLIDE SHOW OF THE 25 HIGHEST, Forbes.com, February 17, 2011.

   Claude Rains Lives In Nigeria (Country famous for scammers sues when it is a victim), Forbes.com, February 17, 2011 

   25 Best Cities For An Active Retirement (Here's our list of 25 prime places to stay physically fit and engaged with the community), with SLIDE SHOW OF THE 25, Forbes.com, February 15, 2011.  

   How To Do Your Taxes On The Cheap (Software and Internet services cut the cost of completing your 1040), with SLIDE SHOW, Forbes.com, February 1, 2011.  

   Another Good Reason To Hate The IRS (Court says agency had right to give false information to spurned informant about appeal option), Forbes.com, February 2, 2011.

   Trust Me, I’m A Guggenheim (Feds charge three with impersonating members of famous rich family), Forbes.com, January 31, 2011.

   Entrepreneurial Management Professor Charged With Managing Mortgage Fraud Enterprise (Rhode Island authorities say John K. Dunn obtained $1 million under false pretenses), Forbes.com, January 31, 2011.

   The Foreclosure Fallacy (Financially troubled homes are no great bargain these days), Forbes, February 14, 2011, p. 70.

   SEC  Issues Its First Stock-Trading Suspension Of  2011 (Clean  Energy And Power hasn’t filed financial statements since 2007), Forbes.com, January 27, 2011.

   Blame Canada: SEC Says Vancouver Stock Promoter Tried Another Fast One (Feds say he paid kickbacks to gin up share price), Forbes.com, January 26, 2011.

   The Oscar For Best Money Goes To—The Oscars (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is flush, flush, flush), Forbes.com, January 25, 2011.

   Fraudsters Invoke Wikileaks In New Scam (Calls say visiting the site is illegal and demand  money), Forbes.com, January 19, 2011.

  Jean Harlow Now Playing In Tax Court (Director loses bid to write off memorabilia), Forbes.com, January 19, 2011.

   Secretive Steve Jobs In His Own Words For 119 Pages (Questioning in SEC back-dating lawsuit produced insights into character), Forbes.com, January 17, 2011.

   Your Loved One Died in Seattle? That Will Be $50, Please (That’s the fee for getting official permission to hold a burial or cremation), Forbes.com, January 17, 2011.  

   A Federal Bust Of A Silicone Bust (Feds charge woman with illegal injections for cosmetic purposes), Forbes.com, January 14, 2011.

   Is It Really Defamation To Call A CEO “Scum,” A “Turd” And A “Clown”? (Tiny start-up Lecere Corp. sues discussion-board posters over such comments about boss James B. Morris), Forbes.com, January 11, 2011.

   Mutual Fund Managers Take A Little On The Side (SEC says pair at Tax Free Fund for Utah pocketed $520,000 in unauthorized fees), Forbes.com, January 11, 2011

   How A Convicted Wall Streeter Bested Billy The Kid (Eddie Gilbert wins executive clemency in New Mexico), Forbes.com, January 10, 2011.

   Sliding Into The Pacific? (Another California City, Chowchilla, chokes on its bonds), Forbes.com, January 7, 2011.

   Tycoon Don Tyson Dies Six Days After Return Of Estate Tax (Rate on his death goes from 0% to 35%), Forbes.com, January 6, 2011.

   In Massachusetts, Likely Help For Fido If You Roll Over (Bill would legalize pet trusts), Forbes.com, January 6, 2011.

   IRS Agent Admits Deducting Phony Mortgage Interest, Alimony (Albert Bront faces nine years in prison), Forbes.com, January 6, 2011.

   2010

   FBI Kept Tabs For Decades On ‘Press Box Red’ (Newly released documents show agency earmarked Daily Worker lefty sports editor Lester Rodney for arrest in event of security incident) (Informer), Forbes.com, December 23, 2010.

   Deutsche Bank’s $554 Million Tax Shelter Settlement Highlights Its Greedy Customers (Tycoons wanted a tax rate of 0% for their big deals), Forbes.com, December 21, 2010.

   Court: False Claims Act Lawyer Took Improper Tax Deductions (Judge also upholds accuracy-related penalties against Dean F. Pace), Forbes.com, December 14, 2010.

   Heisman Trophy Trust Is One Stingy Charity (Its pledge that all proceeds go to good works is not obvious from financial statement), Forbes.com, December 11, 2010.

   Death In Prison For Ex-Forbes 400 Member (John E. du Pont was serving a 13-to-35 year sentence for murder), Forbes.com, December 10, 2010.

   Los Angeles Ranks Lowest, Minneapolis Highest in Retirement Readiness (New survey gauges how well prepared and how confident residents are), with SLIDE SHOWS OF MOST AND LEAST, Forbes.com, December 7, 2010.  

   How To Make Being Your Own Boss Less Taxing (Tax code offers numerous breaks for the newly self-employed), with SLIDE SHOW OF TIPS, Forbes.com, December 3, 2010

   If You Want To Join Wesley Snipes In Prison, Try These Tax Moves (The feds brings thousands of criminal tax cases a year), with SLIDE SHOW, Forbes.com, December 3, 2010. Also, A DEFENSE OF SNIPES!

   Wesley Snipes Ordered To Start Tax Sentence (Globe trotting actor faces three years for not filing tax returns), Forbes.com, November 19, 2010.

   America’s 200 Largest Charities (Annual Forbes list highlights financial efficiencies and top pay) with SLIDE SHOWS of MOST EFFICIENT, LEAST EFFICIENT, 10 BIGGEST and TIPS TO AVOID RIP-OFFS, Forbes.com, November 17, 2010.

   Protection Racket (The trouble with indexed annuities is what’s unsaid), Forbes, December 6, 2010, p. 186

   Names You Need to Know in 2011: Robert Gallucci (He runs the foundation that hands out those “genius” awards), Forbes.com, November 12, 2010.

   An Inefficient Way To Honor Veterans Day (Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes Foundation spent just 7% of money raised on stated main purpose) (Informer), Forbes.com, November 11, 2010.

   Lamar Odom Seeks Tax Deduction For NBA Fines And Fitness Fees (Fighting the IRS, Los Angeles Lakers star says $190,000 he paid were “necessary” expenses) (Informer), Forbes.com, November 9. 2010.

   Names You Need to Know in 2011: Blaine, Washington (It’s the most strategically important 4,000-population city you never heard about—but will), Forbes.com, November 3, 2010.

   Feds Play Coy On What Makes A Criminal Tax Case (IRS and Justice officials won’t say when a civil case becomes criminal), Forbes.com, October 26, 2010.

  IRS Official’s Speech Is Grist For Tea Party Mill (Chris Wagner tells how agency builds “profiles” of individual taxpayers), Forbes.com, October 26, 2010.

   Drilling Drowns Out Big-Time Tax Pros At  Beverly Hills Hotel (Annual Tax Controversy Institute focuses on new rules for tax preparers), Forbes.com, October 26, 2010.

   Facebook Movie Is Hardest On Larry Summers (Film highlights his propensity for very bad predictions), Forbes.com, October 17, 2010.

   Hey, Big Secret Political Donor, Don’t Forget The 35% Gift Tax ( Gifts to 501(c)(4) organization like Crossroads GPS might not be free of tax) (Informer), Forbes.com, October 14, 2010.

   Boy, Do We Know Tzemach Ben David Netzer Korem (Forbes stories help jail the former Branch Vinedresser, founder of the phony country Dominion of Melchizedek) (Informer), Forbes.com, October 8, 2010.

   The Best And Worst States For Drivers (South Carolina is tops among the 50 while California comes in last), with SLIDE SHOWS OF TOP 10 AND BOTTOM 10 (Informer), Forbes.com, October 8, 2010.  

   No Medical Deduction For Hookers And Porn, Judges Rule (Retired Brooklyn lawyer William G. Halby, 79, loses bid to write off “therapy”) (Informer), Forbes.com, October 7, 2010.

   For $1, Sidney Harman Buys A Copy Of Newsweek—All Of Them (Washington Post Co. gives away famed publication) (Informer), Forbes.com, October 7, 2010.

   20 Incredibly Stupid Mistakes To Avoid With Your 401(k) (Slide show lists ways to make sure your nest egg isn’t cracked) with FULL STORY, Forbes.com, October 1, 2010.

   Is Electronic Arts Helping To Do In A Football Coach? (There’s open talk in Albuquerque about firing New Mexico’s Mike Locksley, whose team is 1-15) (Informer), Forbes.com, September 29, 2010.

   SEC Alleges Bait-And-Switch Using Hollywood Lure (Feds say Atlanta men raised $3.2 million from investors that ended up in a different company) (Informer), Forbes.com, September 20, 2010.

   Can Electronic Arts Football Game Give Edge to Gamblers? (Computer video correctly predicted 72-point Oregon rout of New Mexico) (Informer), Forbes.com, September 17, 2010.

   For Charity, Heisman Trophy Trust Promises More Than It Delivers (Amount given is less than half of “100% of the net proceeds” claimed on Web site) (Informer), Forbes.com, September 15, 2010.

   Back To The City—For Retirement (An inner-city neighborhood can be a good, and affordable choice ) with SLIDE SHOW OF 10 TOP SPOTS, Forbes.com, September 15, 2010.

   Be wary of Web scams about floods in Pakistan (Natural disasters bring out cons), Forbes.com, September 7, 2010.

   EnnisKnupp drinks the Kool-Aid (‘Conflict-free’ pension consultant completes sale to firm with stock brokerage) (Informer), Forbes.com, September 2, 2010.

   Pension planner tells the IRS suing him: Bring it on! (William Alexander denies claim he set up fake pension plans), Forbes.com, August 31, 2010.

   No horsing around, IRS tells ex-NFL star Bill (Romocop) Romanowski (He sues to block $6 million tax bill from fraudulent thoroughbred breeding), Forbes.com, August 30, 2010.

   IRS: Those small-business pension plans were too good to be true (Los Angeles area man William Alexander accused of peddling “sham” schemes) (Informer), Forbes.com, August 26, 2010.

   Is “conflict-free” EnnisKnupp selling its soul? (Pension consultant that long touted its independence to join Hewitt Associates and Aon, which have brokerages and do underwriting) (Informer), Forbes.com, August 23, 2010, Selling Its SoulForbes, September 13, 2010, p. 31.

   “Tax Lady Roni Deutch” is no lady, Jerry Brown says (California Attorney General sues her over tax-workout advertising) (Informer), Forbes.com, August 24, 2010.

   Big-Time politically connected bad checks at Freehold Raceway (Brother of ex-New Jersey governor faces jail term after plea) (Informer), Forbes.com, August 20, 2010.

   Watch what you tell the new help (Decision upholding $21 million unfair competition verdict against Village Voice Media units contains a lesson for managers) (Informer), Forbes.com, August 12, 2010.

   Sidney Harman Ain’t No Billionaire (But media outlets, Web sites and bloggers find it more fun to say Newsweek’s new owner is worth $1 billion) (Informer), Forbes.com, August 11, 2010.

   Billionaire Leon Cooperman: I Got Bad Tax Advice (Hedge fund manager claims bum steer on $43 million in charitable deductions) (Informer), Forbes.com, August 9, 2010.

   More Colleges See Bonds Downgraded (Brandeis, Howard on growing list of schools hit by Moody’s in 2010) (Informer), with SLIDE SHOW OF 10 COLLEGES WITH DOWNGRADED BONDS, Forbes.com, August 4, 2010.  

   From Jail, Conrad Black Fights $71 Million Tax Bill (IRS says ex-media mogul paid no U.S. taxes despite $120 million in taxable income) (Informer), Forbes.com, July 14, 2010.

   The 10 Richest Presidents (Despite populist rhetoric, poor men don’t get to White House) (Informer), with SLIDE SHOW, Forbes.com, July 14, 2010.

   George Steinbrenner Death Was Well Timed for Estate Tax (Kin could reap huge benefit from 2010 federal death levy), Forbes.com, July 13, 2010.

   Tax Informant Wins Ruling in Clarence Dillon Fortune Case (Tax Court gives whistleblowers right to appeal IRS brush-off) (Informer), Forbes.com, July 10, 2010.  

   Did Tax Ploy Help Saints Win Super Bowl? (IRS disputes New Orleans team’s claim that $8.5 million annual payment from Louisiana wasn’t taxable as income) (Informer), Forbes.com, July 6, 2010.

   In Tax Court, Noted Horse Racing Writer Finishes Out of the Money (But IRS loses bid to handicap Bill Christine with penalties) (Informer), Forbes.com, July 2, 2010. CHRISTINE RESPONDS!

   The Best Foreign Retirement Havens (New list includes a dozen worthy of consideration), with SLIDE SHOW, Forbes.com, July 1, 2010.

   Celebrity Charities: Good for Image, But What About Good Works? (Some have high overhead, while others keep it low, with co-author), and SLIDE SHOW: Celebrities and Their Charities, Forbes.com, June 30, 2010; Dialing for Celebrity Dollars (table lists inefficient celebrity charities), Forbes, July 19, 2010, p. 32.

   ‘Homegrown Madoff’ (Ex-Albuquerque resident William P. Barrett writes ‘slightly flippant’ story for Forbes about alleged New Mexico Ponzi scammer Douglas Vaughan), Albuquerque Journal, June 12, 2010.

   Too Good to Be True (Lessons abound for investors in the Ponzi scheme that authorities say Douglas Vaughan ran in New Mexico), Forbes, June 28, 2010, p.  90, with SLIDE SHOW: 10 WARNING SIGNS OF A PONZI, Forbes.com, June 9, 2010.

   Investigate Before You Expatriate (Thinking of retiring abroad? Here’s how to check out possible pitfalls), Forbes, June 28, 2010, p. 68,  with SLIDE SHOW, Forbes.com, June 9, 2010.

   Economic Stimulus: More Cash Rewards To Solve Crime (Bounties offered for all sorts of wrongdoing) (Informer), Forbes.com, May 21, 2010,  with SLIDE SHOW OF 20 CURRENT REWARDS FOR INFORMATION.

   Can IRS Be Forced To Check Out Informant’s Tip? (Tax Court set to rule on requests involving squabbling heirs of famed financier Clarence Dillon) (Informer), Forbes.com, April 30, 2010.      

   CEOs’ Looks Affect Their Compensation (Duke study finds execs whose faces look “competent” get paid more) (Informer), Forbes.com, April 27, 2010, with SLIDE SHOW: BEAUTY RATINGS OF 20 CEOs.

   Tails You Lose (The feds tax your gambling winnings to the max; loss deductions are a littler harder to come by), Forbes, May 10, 2010, p. 48.

   Family Swindled by Madoff Fights $61 Million IRS Bill (Estate tax battle is latest hit for heirs of real estate tycoon Norman F. Levy) (Informer), Forbes.com, April 21, 2010.

   Tax Preparer Vows to Fight IRS Bid to Ban Him for Life (Tobias Elsass says agency approved “99%” of his claims for Madoff-like theft losses) (Informer), Forbes.com, April 20, 2010.

   IRS: Tax Preparer Wrongly Claimed Madoff-Like Losses (Lawsuit says Ohio man flouted rules limiting investment loss break to theft)  (Informer), Forbes.com, April 19, 2010.

   On April 15, Feds Bring Big Criminal Tax Charges (Seven UBS clients accused of hiding $100 million offshore), Forbes.com, April 15, 2010.

   How To Not Get Audited by the IRS (There are some not-so-smart ways to draw the attention of the feds), Forbes.com, April 8, 2010, with SLIDE SHOW ON 10 WAYS TO ATTRACT AN AUDIT.

   My Vintage Trade (Clothing maker My Vintage Baby share collapse offers lessons in spotting pump and dumps), Forbes, April 26, 2010, with SLIDE SHOW ON HOW TO SPOT THEM , Forbes.com, April 7, 2010.

   Tycoon Tax Bite Down Two-Thirds Since 1955 (Wealth for the Common Good, group of wealthy liberals, support big tax boost), Forbes.com, April 6, 2010.

   Bad News For Telecommuters (New Jersey tax court decision could give companies another reason to avoid the state—and turn down telecommuting requests), Forbes.com, March 30, 2010.  

   “Tax Snitches” Article Wins Prize (2009 Forbes cover story on tax bounty hunters tops category in Excellence in Financial Journalism Awards of New York State Society of CPAs), March 26, 2010. READ STORY HERE.

   St. Louis Rams Buyer Gets Penalty Flag on Taxes (Shahid Khan will pay more in tax shelter case) (Informer), Forbes.com, March 18, 2010.

   Retirement Catch-Up: How to Start in Your 50s (You have no savings but you’ve have a job: Don’t panic), with SLIDE SHOW ABOUT LATE-IN-LIFE RETIRMENT PLANNING, Forbes.com, March 16, 2010.   

   Barack Obama, Annuity Salesman (He isn’t say which is the good kind, so we will), Forbes, March 29, 2010, p. 42.WITH SLIDE SHOW ON THINGS TO KNOW, Forbes.com, March 16, 2010.

   U.S. Sales Tax Rates Hit Record High (Shopping blues: Top rate is 12%) (Informer), with SLIDE SHOW OF AMERICA’S WORST SALES TAXES, Forbes.com, March 8, 2010.

   SEC: Charity Pushed $97 Billion Bond Fraud (Pacific Asian Atlantic Foundation and president Samuel M. Natt agree to sanctions) (Informer), Forbes.com, March 2, 2010.

   Lump of Coal (Shares of Americas Energy have risen 4,500% in a year despite no revenue, no cash and a negative net worth), Forbes, March 1, 2010, p. 52.

   IRS: Methane Tax Credits Full of Gas (Federal judge bars 12 tax preparers from claiming bogus landfill tax break for clients) (Informer), Forbes.com, February 24, 2010.

   Miami Vice: Phony Home Buyer Tax Credit Claims Alleged (IRS says Florida preparers falsely claimed dozens of tax breaks for home purchases) (Informer), Forbes.com, February 23, 2010.  

   “IRS 400” Suggests Path to Forbes 400 (Build unrealized capital gains and cash them in when tax rates are lowest), Forbes.com, February 18, 2010.

   Will Your Tax Pro Get You Audited? (Since the IRS doesn't regulate preparers—yet—here's how to spot the problems), with SLIDE SHOW OF A DOZEN DODGY PREPARERS, Forbes.com, February 16, 2010.

   Delay Sought in California Internet Tax (Tax agency board members calls for small businesses to be given more time to comply), Forbes.com, February 11, 2010.

   California Web Tax Grab Hits Small Business (Push to collect sales tax on Internet sales might inspire your state), Forbes.com, February 9, 2010.

   Tough Times Are Boom Times for Scams (Complaints abound as  con artists, often using the Web, target the down and out) (Informer), with SLIDE SHOW LISTING 10 SCAMS, Forbes.com, February 8, 2010.

   Worst Than Taxes (“Roth My IRA Without Feeling The Tax Bite” Internet pitch, made by Philadelphia-area advisor Thomas Quinn of Epiphany Wealth, requires borrowing large amounts of money and buying life settlements), Forbes, February 8, 2010, p. 32.

   The Honor Roll (Annual Forbes roster lists 10 mutual funds that outperform in markets good and bad), Forbes, February 8, 2010, p. 50.

   IRS Workers with Conviction (Tax agency deals with rogue employees engaging in everything from celebrity snooping to extortion) (Informer), with SLIDE SHOW OF ROGUES, Forbes.com, January 26, 2010.

   IRS Hits Cardinals’ Antrel Rolle With $2.2 Million Bill (Football safety sues after audit nixes his big business and charitable deductions) (Informer), Forbes.com, January 26, 2010.   

   Taxes Gone Wild (“Girls Gone Wild” creator Joseph R. Francis loses bid to void IRS tax seizure of $22 million in accounts) (Informer), Forbes.com, January 20, 2010.

   Green Bubble (Shares of Westport Innovations have nearly tripled since March despite no profits and declining revenue), Forbes, January 18, 2010.

   Ex-Convict Registers Haiti Charity Web Addresses (Frederick Ray McKoy did federal prison time for fraud involving Atlanta Falcons players) (Informer), Forbes.com, January 15, 2010.

   How to Spot Dubious Haiti Charity Pleas (Make sure your dollars get to the earthquake victims, not the scamsters) (Informer), Forbes.com, January 13, 2010.

   Silver Griper Gets Breathing Room (California judge eases speech restriction against unhappy Monex customer) (Informer), Forbes.com, January 8, 2010.

   Veterans Charity Posts Misleading Data (Roger Chapin’s Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes Foundation overstates efficiency) (Informer), Forbes.com, January 6, 2010.  

   Automatic 401(k) May Not Boost Retirement Savings (Bosses kick in less at companies, new study finds), Forbes.com, January 6, 2010.

 

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