Category Archives: News and Events

This is one for the book on the human mind having no limitations on creativity when it comes to desperation. Harvard is investigating its fencing coach, Peter Brand’s, sale of his home in Needham, Massachusetts to Jie Zhao, a wealthy … Continue reading →

An astonishing settlement by Duke University with the federal government received minimal coverage.Duke agreed to pay $112.5 million to settle claims that it knowingly submitted false data in federal grant work that brought in $200 million to the university for … Continue reading →

Barbra Streisand, once a “Funny Girl” and not so “Funny Lady,” now channeling Che Guevara (see her appearance at the Oscars), does not understand apologies. Her apology regarding her bizarre remarks about Michael Jackson and the documentary, “Leaving Neverland,” were … Continue reading →

Martin Tobin, a Los Angeles finance guy, was the one who tipped off federal authorities about the Rick Singer bribes-for-admission scandal. Mr. Tobin was being questioned by federal authorities about a pump-and-dump scam. Pump-and-dump scams are the stuff of induced … Continue reading →

The Barometer sees the charts in the newspapers. Charts to be filled out for March Madness, Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, and Final Four. The alliterations are clearly clever. Then there is the language of sportscasters: “Sky-walking with a big-time push.” … Continue reading →

The title of William “Rick” Singer’s, dynamic and now criminally indicted college counseling coach, presentation done in the financial services sector. One expert characterized Singer as someone with a seemingly “magic elixir” for parents on getting their kids into college. … Continue reading →

If you are looking for an investment, not to worry. Jeffrey Skilling is meeting with former Enron executives to form a new energy venture. He’s looking for backers. Get out your wallets!

2 Chainz and Cardi B have had a harsh reality. Like the Beatles and their “Tax Man,” the successful artists have learned that the IRS does take a chunk once you land in those higher income brackets. They are upset … Continue reading →

The Summer Olympics will be held in Japan in the summer of 2020, a selection that was made in 2013. The head of the Japanese Olympic Committee will resign in June because investigators have uncovered a vote-buying scandal that swayed … Continue reading →

The late Karl Eller, former CEO Circle K Corporation and Combined Communications. Mr. Eller has a life story worth a study. His father left his mother and his two siblings when Mr. Eller was five years old. He began his … Continue reading →

Martin Winterkorn, former CEO of VW in 2015 when the VW falsified emissions test scandal emerged. Mr. Winterkorn resigned shortly thereafter. VW settled the emissions scandal with the EPA for $25 billion. However, on March 15, 2019, the SEC filed … Continue reading →

Three incidents in the news caught the Barometer’s eye that involve “parenting,” and bad judgment. 1. The kiddos storming Senator Diane Feinstein’s office, demanding action on climate change. Most analyses of the video focused on Senator Feinstein’s alleged arrogance in … Continue reading →

David Middendorf, the former national managing partner for audit quality at KPMG, was convicted of four of five counts of conspiracy and wire fraud. Mr. Middendorf’s strategy waster audit qualify was an interesting one: obtaining information from employees of the … Continue reading →

Gordon Caplan, private equity lawyer and co-chairman at the law firm, Wilkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, named “Dealmaker of the Year,” by American Lawyer, who was arrested in the Varsity Blue admissions scandal for his efforts with William “Rick” Singer … Continue reading →