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.