_________::::___#418 - May 22, 2007________________
FRAUDBARON.com
The Anti-Fraud Professionals'
Source for Fraud News
#418 Updated: 5/21/07 9:48 p.m.

Bank Robberies
Bank robberies may seem old-fashioned in this age of high-tech heists, but they
continue to take a serious, sometimes deadly toll on local communities and
businesses.  Full story, FBI.gov

ELLICOTT CITY ART DEALER PLEADS GUILTY IN INVESTMENT FRAUD SCHEME
"As is often the case with investment schemes that sound too good to be true,
Mr. Akins's investment scheme was too good to be true," said United States
Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. "People should exercise caution and seek
independent advice before investing money with con artists who promise high
rates of return." Press release, FBI.

Civil trial for former Brightpoint worker to start
The Securities and Exchange Commission says that in late 1998 and early 1999 he
worked with then-Chief Accounting Officer John Delaney to purchase a sham
insurance policy from New York-based American International Group. According to
investigators, the policy allowed Brightpoint to spread out over three years losses
that should have been reported in 1998.  Full story, IBJ.com

Lernout & Hauspie fraud trial opens
Ten years after Jo Lernout and Pol Hauspie were feted as the local heroes of the
high-technology boom, they drew the crowds again Monday. This time, though,
they had to face hundreds of disgruntled investors who lined up for the opening
of the nation's biggest fraud trial, seeking to get their money back.  Full story,
Boston Globe.

Tone at the Top: Walking the Talk on Fraud Prevention
We're all familiar with the "poster children" of Corporate America that almost
single-handedly forced the implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley by decimating
confidence in the integrity of U.S. business.  Full story, Smartpros.

Witness: Media Mogul Got Apartment Deal
A corporate insider testified Monday that media mogul Conrad Black lived rent free
for years in a $3 million apartment on New York's Park Avenue owned by the
Hollinger International newspaper empire.  Full story, Houston Chronicle.