I am a Principal at Fulcrum Inquiry, an accounting and economic consulting firm that performs damage analysis for commercial litigation, forensic accountings, financial investigations, and business valuations. I hold an ABD and MA in economics from the University of California, San Diego. I perform damages analyses and serve as a damages expert witness. My resume is on Fulcrum's website.
Author's posts
Jan 15
Sometimes it’s the reputation, not the money
When a nursing home faces alleged medical malpractice, it may often be the case that the individual lawsuit is not the biggest economic problem it faces. The Rainbow Beach Nursing Center in Chicago is currently defending itself against a wrongful death lawsuit. Two doctors caring for Sonia Eli at the nursing home each filled out …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2013/01/sometimes-its-the-reputation-not-the-money/
Jan 07
A Mistake Reveals an Economic Reality
A slew of new federal taxes related to the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act (PPACA) took effect January 1, 2013. Like most taxes, the tax imposers will try to mask the impact by aggregating them with other taxes. Because consumers are used to paying some type of tax on practically everything, they are less likely …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2013/01/a-mistake-reveals-an-economic-reality/
Jan 06
First Statistics on the Dodd-Frank Whistleblower Program
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) just released its first annual report of the “Securities Whistleblower Incentives and Protection” (Section 922) created under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (aka “Dodd-Frank Whistleblower Program”). To reportedly encourage employees to report complaints without fear of retaliation by their employer (e.g., getting fired), the …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2013/01/first-statistics-on-the-dodd-frank-whistleblower-program/
Jun 18
Fed reports a significant decline in net worth under two measures, but in different amounts
Last week, the media quickly dispersed the jaw dropping statistic just released by the Federal Reserve in its Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF): household median net worth fell by almost 40% from 2007 to 2010, the mean fell almost 15%. According to SCF, the median inflation adjusted net family worth (i.e., the value of its home(s), bank account(s) and retirement …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/06/fed-reports-a-significant-decline-in-net-worth-under-two-measures-but-in-different-amounts/
May 31
Going to the source
There are a plethora of business climate indexes available; however, a recent small business survey conducted by Thumstack.com and the Kauffman Foundation appears to be one of the few (or maybe the only) that actually use small businesses as the source of its results. Thumstack.com and the Kauffman Foundation surveyed small business owners to understand …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/05/going-to-the-source/
Apr 06
Who is being polled matters
With the Republican primary wrapping up and more attention placed on the national election, people are focusing on poll results. Real Clear Politics (RCP), a well-known website that provides a plethora of poll results, just updated its summary of multiple polls’ results related to the general election: Obama vs. Romney. See summary table below. Most …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/04/who-is-being-polled-matters/
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/03/the-quiet-surge-in-bond-prices/
Mar 12
Finally! A poll asks the question we really care about
Undoubtedly, one of the decisive issues in the upcoming November 2012 presidential election will be about taxes: Should some pay higher taxes than others? If yes, who, why, and how much more? Until recently, practically every national poll asked whether tax rates should be increased, decreased, or kept the same. For example, one of the …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/03/finally-a-poll-asks-the-question-we-really-care-about/
Jan 17
Natural Disasters’ Economic Losses Hit Record High in 2011
In a recent report issued by Munich Re, a reinsurance group in Germany, 2011 was the costliest year in history for natural disasters with $380 billion in economic losses. Although some believe that global warming will continue to increase both the number and the extent of natural disasters, this report shows that 2011 was more about the geographic location, and less about the cause …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/01/natural-disasters-economic-losses-hit-record-high-in-2011/
Jan 04
Misleading Survey Results from One of the “Top Notch” Polling Agencies
Last week, USA Today/Gallup published the results of its December 15 – 18, 2011 public opinion poll. At the end of every year since 1948, with the exception of 1967 and 1976, Gallup has asked the following (among other) questions: What man that you have heard or read about, living today in any part of the world, do …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/01/misleading-survey-results-from-one-of-the-top-notch-polling-agencies/
Mar 25
The Quiet Surge in Bond Prices
March 25, 2012
Just recently, long term bond yields have been on the rise. Specifically, ten year Treasury bond yields just hit a five month high on Monday, March 19, 2012. (Late October 2011 was the last time it was higher.) Despite this recent yield hike, almost no one is talking about it. However, if this rising trend …
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