Nov 05
Every few years, the Journal of Forensic Economics (JFE) publishes the results of its survey of National Association of Forensic Economics (NAFE) members regarding their methods, estimates, and perspectives on lost earnings calculations. As described in this related article, this survery demonstrates how damages experts often disagree regarding the appopriate discount rate in a lost …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2018/11/the-appropriate-discount-rate-in-a-lost-earnings-claim-2/
Oct 31
There has been a flurry of activity in the emerging legalized cannabis industry, as regulations and restrictions continue to decrease. Given that the U.S. cannabis market is estimated to be approximately $60 billion, with still plenty of room to grow, it is not surprising that many investors are looking at this industry. However, prudent investors …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2018/10/cannabis-company-valuations-present-unique-challenges/
Oct 10
American seniors, holding trillions in wealth, are increasingly targeted by fraudulent schemes to separate them from their hard earned savings. This epidemic of elder financial abuse takes on many forms, including: Predatory Lending, often using reverse mortgage loans Pyramid or Ponzi schemes with promises of unreasonably high returns Internet/Email phishing to obtain access to bank …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2018/10/the-many-forms-of-elder-financial-abuse/
Oct 04
For months, the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and American businesses have been requesting guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) regarding changes made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) (Pub. L. No. 115-97) that disallowed the deductibility of entertainment, amusement, recreation and qualified transportation fringe expenses. Businesses and their accounting …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2018/10/irs-confirms-continued-partial-deductibility-of-business-meals-when-separable-from-entertainment/
Oct 02
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) charged Jonny Ngo, Donato “Mick” Baca, Jr., and NL Technology, LLC with defrauding hundreds of investors by running a Ponzi scheme. A Ponzi scheme is a type of investment fraud that sustains itself by paying claimed returns to existing investors with fresh money from new investors, while also enriching …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2018/10/sec-charges-san-diego-duo-in-alleged-ponzi-scheme/
Sep 27
The reported value per claim in a class action settlement can differ significantly from the actual check a class member receives. Both StarKist and Trader Joe’s have faced class action lawsuits involving damages for allegedly under-filled cans of tuna. Both defendants settled for cash amounts in the range of $25-29 per claim (although StarKist also …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2018/09/check-amounts-can-differ-substantially-from-class-action-settlements-per-claim/
Sep 24
A universal risk to companies that employ individuals and engage outside vendors are vendor billing schemes. The most recent instance to hit the news is an alleged kickback scheme involving advertising services provided to Rite Aid. The Central Penn Business Journal (“CPBJ”) reports that a former Rite Aid Vice President of Advertising has tentatively agreed …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2018/09/alleged-kickback-scheme-at-popular-pharmacy/
Sep 19
While natural disasters bring out the worst elements of nature, it can bring out the best in humanity. There is often a tremendous outpouring of support and generosity toward those affected. Unfortunately there is also a darker underside, as the opportunity arises to take advantage of the good intentions of others or the desperation of …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2018/09/after-the-storms-come-the-scams/
Sep 17
A typical lost earnings analysis endeavors to value the personal income that was lost due to injury or loss of employment opportunities. This is more challenging when income is not yet established, e.g. when the injured Plaintiff has yet to enter the workforce or there is evidence that the Plaintiff would have otherwise altered their …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2018/09/valuing-higher-education-in-lost-income-claims/
Jun 27
One common point of disagreement amongst opposing sides of a lost earnings case is future earnings, especially when the claimant has no meaningful earnings history. This typically occurs in personal injury cases in which the injured party is a child or an adolescent. Recently published data by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve …
Permanent link to this article: https://betweenthenumbers.net/2018/06/calculating-future-lost-earnings-with-no-earnings-history/