Articles

TASA ID: 10544

Within the world of personal, individual or family security, there are many activities that take place each week that appear to be normal daily operations, but in fact expose us to loss of property, information and overall security.  Many individuals engaging in illegal activities look for the easy mark or soft targets and will most likely take the path of least resistance.  Below is our discussion of areas in our personal lives where we can recognize the opportunities provided and work to divert the criminal further down the path of least resistance.

TASA ID: 1646

Three friends of mine, all working expert witnesses, called me to recount their experiences with private investigators who interviewed them for prospective cases. One complained that the private investigator “asked me if I could stand up to a Daubert Hearing,” another seemed insulted that she was asked what her answer would be if the prosecutor “questioned my high expert fees,” and the third groused about being asked by the interviewing P.I. “why I prostituted myself in ‘criminal defense alley’ ”— the throng of law offices that occupied a corridor in and around the county courthouse. They accounted for more than 50% of his revenues the preceding year. All of these colleagues demanded to know (from me) what was up! Why were they being grilled like this? Were they viewed as expert witnesses or as suspects? Could P.I.’s even ask such questions? They all claimed this was a “first,” but they suspected it wouldn’t be the last time they’d be so queried. I told them that they had the right to remain silent, if they chose, though by taking that tactic; their value in the P.I.’s eyes might cascade like Niagara Falls. What shocked them; however, was my telling them that P.I.’s could ask such questions—and that more P.I.’s should ask those kinds of questions and many more like them!

TASA ID: 15395

In the healthcare arena, compliance issues are raised, especially when a crisis comes along.   COVID-19 is such a crisis which has been enhanced from a compliance perspective by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act which has released over $2.2 Billion into the economy to various businesses, healthcare facilities, providers’ offices, and more.   

TASA ID: 15395

According to Buzi, Smith, and Weinman (2014), one of the most chronic conditions today is the major depressive disorder (MDD). As per the U.S department of health and human services, 8% of the U.S. population aged between 12 to 17 years had at least one MDD episode in 2010. The researchers also found out the rate of mental illness among individuals who are 18-25 years was twice as high in comparison to the rate of mental illness among elderly individuals aged 50 years and above.

TASA ID: 15395

In the early beginnings of compliance plans for healthcare businesses, big and small, there was a strong suggestion that all healthcare businesses, practices, hospitals and the like adopt a compliance program but there was no directive as to ensuring that the plan actually worked or was comprehensive enough to ensure the mitigation of potential issues, False Claims Act matters, kickbacks, and the like.   The important part of this in approximately 1998 was to have a plan in place, put it on a shelf and if anyone asked to review it, most practices that did implement a plan would pull it off that shelf, dust it off and provide it to the requester.