PODCAST EPISODES

In the 1990’s, Waste Management was the largest garbage company in the world. But Waste Management had a dirty secret.  Its accounting was nastier than its landfills. 

Jamie Petrone was in charge of purchasing computer equipment for Yale's school of business. Petrone was making a fortune, until someone noticed she was buying a lot more electronics than the school needed. What was she doing with all those iPads? The feds decided to follow her and find out.

The largest pest control company in the world, Rollins Inc., was accused of manipulating reserves to boost profits. When Rollins achieved its earnings target by just one penny not once but twice, the SEC smelled a rat.

Finding a good controller isn’t easy.  You probably don't want someone who embezzled money from their last two employers.  “What?!?” you’re probably thinking. "No one would hire someone as controller if they stole millions of dollars from their previous employers.”  That’s what I used to think, until I heard the story of Peter Suk Lee.

Puda Coal raised over $100 million from U.S. investors.  But suddenly there was a problem: did Puda actually own the subsidiary Shanxi Coal?  Someone claimed Puda’s board chair had secretly transferred the subsidiary to himself.  Had Puda’s subsidiary literally been stolen? 

One of the most difficult things about starting a business is getting clients. You need to work hard to get customers to say “yes”. But what if you didn’t have to get customers to say “yes”? What if you just sent them a bill? “Don’t be ridiculous,” you’re probably thinking, “companies aren’t going to pay you just because you send them a bill." But hold that thought, as I’ve got a story to tell.

David Brooks had taken a small company on the verge of bankruptcy and turned it into one of the world’s largest manufacturers of bulletproof vests. Those vests were used by U.S. soldiers, so Brooks was hailed as an American hero. But, problems with the company’s accounting for inventory was just the tip of the iceberg.

Take-Two Interactive was forced to restate its financials 3 times in a span of just 5 years. Each time you thought it was over, Take-Two ended up in the news again. And the company’s founder was right in the middle of it.

The story of Cobalt involves a former associate of the Wolf of Wall Street, and a Ponzi scheme run by a convicted fraudster. Then, Donald Trump got involved.

Interpublic was forced to restate its financials back to 1997. Had the company committed ANOTHER fraud, right after the first one?

Nevin Shapiro was living the high life, and people assumed his high-roller lifestyle was funded by his business, Capitol Investments. But Shapiro’s business hadn’t conducted operations in years...

Satish Gabhawala convinced the city of Harvey to raise $14 million from bond issuances to construct a hotel and 24-hour diner. However, 5 years later the buildings were never finished. Where had the 14 million gone?