Corporate Investigations That Stop the Financial Bleeding

The reason for financial bleeding in a company, dental or doctor’s office is usually white-collar crime, such as theft and embezzlement by a business partner or employee. There are so many ways theft and embezzlement can occur, and we specialize in identifying how your money is being stolen and who is stealing it.

When it comes to corporate fraud, Sage Investigations is your best ally through our forensic accounting services. With over 50 years of combined IRS Special Agent experience, 25 years of private sector investigative experience, and three years as an auditor for Wells Fargo Foothills, our team has the experience and expertise necessary to efficiently and effectively handle sensitive internal investigations.

With our expertise in corporate investigations, we can quickly analyze your complex financial data and follow the money to find the facts. To learn more, call us at 512-659-3179 to request a free consultation!

How Corporate Fraud, Theft or Embezzlement Occurs          

Manipulation: By manipulating financial records, C-level executives may divert company funds into personal accounts.

Expense Fraud: Submitting false expense reports for reimbursement, including fictitious expenses or inflating actual expenses.

Ghost Employee: A bookkeeper has an agreement with individuals who have false identities that can cash the payroll check and split the proceeds.

Kickbacks: Engaging in arrangements where the executive receives a portion of funds from a vendor or contractor in exchange for business contracts or procurement.

Asset Misappropriation: Taking physical assets belonging to the company (like equipment, supplies, or intellectual property) for personal use.

Payroll Fraud: Creating ghost employees or falsifying hours worked to draw undeserved wages.

Contract Fraud: Altering contracts with suppliers or partners to benefit personally, such as receiving undisclosed commissions.

Misuse of Company Resources: Using company funds or resources for personal gain, such as lavish travel or personal projects.

Manipulation of Financial Statements: Cooking the books to inflate profits or hide losses which can lead to personal bonuses, stock price manipulation, or favorable loan conditions.

 Signs You Need a Corporate Investigator

1. Living well beyond means: One of the biggest red flags is employees or executives who appear to be living a lifestyle that doesn’t match their salary.
2. Resistance to sharing financial duties or participating in audits: Employees who are secretive, defensive or uncooperative about financial-related tasks may be trying to hide something. They might refuse to delegate tasks involving invoice review, approval and payment. Or they may refuse to provide financial documentation for audits.
3. Unusual transactions or missing financial documentation: Issues with invoices, receipts and other financial records may point to a problem, especially if there are large cash withdrawals, duplicate payments, payments to unfamiliar vendors or financial documents that appear to be altered.
4. Mismatched or unprofessional invoices: Payees on checks should match vendors, and invoices should be professional with proper company documentation.
5. Billing complaints: This may include complaints about non-payment that contradict financial documentation or other discrepancies in billing.      

How Our Corporate Investigators Can Help You

With our specialization in forensic accounting and understanding of business functionality, our corporate investigators have the means to conduct internal financial investigations that provide you with accurate information when dealing with corporate issues and fraud. We then use our expertise and knowledge of a financial forensic expert witness to provide expert testimony. 

Edmond (Ed) Martin at Sage Investigations has a unique skill set combining accounting, financial analysis, following the money, financial investigations, law enforcement expertise, and expert testimony. As a forensic accounting Expert Witness, Edmond (Ed) Martin of Sage Investigations provides trusted corporate investigation forensic accounting services that involve reviewing, analyzing and interpreting financial records to provide an accurate summary of the detailed financial data. 

He prepares a complete report supported by analyses and exhibits that provide a road map for you and the court. He will testify as a Financial Expert Witness to help the court understand what has transpired. Ed provides his unbiased opinions based on his analysis of relevant financial information.

Our Other Corporate Fraud Investigation Services

• We also handle breaches of fiduciary duties, shareholder derivative suits, construction contract fraud, and locating assets hidden to avoid the settlement of judgments.
• Provide help with the Cares Act / Paycheck Payroll Protection (PPP) issues by analyzing financial records and loan applications and providing expert testimony of a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.

Benefits of partnering with Sage Investigations:

• Identify and stop fraud
• Stop financial bleeding
• Have a better chance of recouping losses
• Obtain more accurate information faster
• Proof of the truth
• Obtain an extra edge that provides an accurate picture of the activities investigated
• Identify problems and solutions quickly
• Save time and money through a controlled investigation
• Strengthen your case

We can see what you might be too close to see through consulting or an investigation.

We Will:

• Develop an investigative plan that follows the activities of employees that help prove or disprove allegations
• Assist with understanding if the employee is acting in collusion with another employee
• Review meaningful records to determine relevant leads
• Develop the evidence through interviews, observations, and the preservation of documentary and computer evidence
• Locate and interview previous employees
• Help you obtain an edge by building a timeline that provides an accurate picture of meaningful evidence
• Prepare a report that will aid in proper decision-making
• Make your decisions easier by having accurate information
• Assist you in determining if the party is judgment-proof
• Provide Expert Witness testimony

Please call us at 512-659-3179 for a free consultation.

Consulting

Sage consults with you and your attorney to develop a work plan to meet the scope of work that you require. Sage investigates to determine the method and means of the offense through interviewing individuals and analyzing records. After the investigation, Sage issues a report, including recommendations on improving organizational controls to help protect access to corporate assets.

Benefits of Having Sage Investigations as a Consultant:

• Secure and organize records to be used in presenting your case to the District Attorney or to help defend your organization
• Have a better understanding of your accounting system and the lack of controls
• Litigation support that helps to build a winning case or a winning defense
• A compelling presentation that paints the picture of the evidence

We Will:

• Secure, review, and organize records provided by the client and obtained during discovery
• Identify additional witnesses and sources of evidence
• Prepare accurate analyzes for ease of presentation
• Help develop a demonstrative presentation that paints a picture of the evidence

Call us at 512-659-3179 when you need an ally.

Investigations

Sage investigates the matter that concerns you and keeps you up at night. Sage develops a work plan that cuts to the meat of the matter. Sage analyzes necessary records, interviews possible witnesses, and prepares analysis of records and memorandums of interviews. Sage renders its findings in a written report and court testimony as necessary.

Benefits of Having Sage Investigations as an Investigator:

• Knowledge and experience to help solve complex business problems
• Knowledge of the flow of information from business records through accounting systems
• Experienced in litigation support that helps to build a winning case

We Will:

• Locate witnesses
• Contact and interview witnesses and obtain important documentation
• Render notes of an interview into a memorandum or statement
• Secure, review, and organize records provided by the client and obtained during discovery
• Prepare analysis for accuracy and ease of presentation
• Help develop a timeline of activities

Call us at 512-659-3179 when you need a professional financial investigation.

Computer Forensics Analysis

Sage has a close relationship with an experienced computer forensic specialist who uses the latest technology to analyze the contents of computers, cell phones, tablets, and other electronic devices.

We Will:

• Evaluate secure the devices for forensic examination
• Deliver the devices for examination
• Secure the analysis of the device and an expert report

Call us at 512-659-3179 when you need to know what is happening with your sensitive information.

Surveillance

Sage brings a team of well-trained surveillance specialists to make documented observations.

• Documented truth of habits, abilities, and actions of individuals
• Video and still photographs
• Well written reports

Call us at 512-659-3179 when you need to document activities. 

Undercover Operatives

Sage provides undercover operatives to work in your warehouse or shop, in your restaurant, or your business for activities that are not beneficial to your corporation.

We Will:

• Obtain still pictures/videos necessary to prove the matter of theft of corporate assets
• Report our findings in a timely manner

Call us at 512-659-3179 when you need to know what is really happening.

Electronic Countermeasure

Sage has a close relationship with a TSCM (Technical Security Countermeasure) specialist with the professional equipment and over 22 years of knowledge and experience necessary to determine if your office or residence is under electronic surveillance.

We Will:

• Evaluate the need for a TSCM specialist
• Coordinate with a TSCM specialist
• Assist the client in reaching a comfort level

Call us at 512-659-3179 to ensure your client’s business environment is free from eavesdropping devices.

Research and Forensics Analysis

Sage conducts the research necessary to determine the applicable statute related to the unlawful activity being investigated. Sage has a professional relationship with a handwriting and document analysis expert.

We Will:

• Determine the need for research
• Coordinate with handwriting and documents experts

Call us at 512-659-3179 if you need to know the applicable statute of the unlawful activity being investigated.

Asset Search

Sage has a close relationship with research services across the county to search public records at the courthouse level to determine assets purchased and sold and search for civil and criminal records.

• Sage will search for available assets to recover a judgment or collect a debt.
• Sage will acquire relevant documents, allowing our clients to understand the evidence better.
• Sage will build a detailed asset report that provides an accurate picture of the assets found.

We Will:

• Research assets across the country
• Assist in the review of records to find hidden assets
• Render a report to identify hidden assets
• Assist in locating assets and recovery of judgments

Call us at 512-659-3179 when you need to know where the money is. 

Locate and Interview Witnesses

• Sage will research and locate witnesses.
• Sage provides clients with the value of timely and in-depth witness interviews.
• Sage asks objective questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How much is it necessary to develop the testimony of the witness fully? Sage takes copious notes of interviews, renders them into a memorandum of the interview, and delivers this information to our client in a timely manner.
• Sage will build a timeline, organize records, and create a witness and exhibit list that provides an accurate picture, helps eliminate surprises, and saves you time.

We Will:

• Research and locate witnesses across the country
• Conduct timely and in-depth interviews
• Render a memorandum of the interview
• Assist in developing the evidence into an accurate picture

Call us at 512-659-3179 when you need effective witness interviews. 

Testifying

Sage provides an expert witness report and expert testimony. We will assist your attorney with cross-examining witnesses in deposition or court and, if necessary, testify as an expert witness.

We Will:

• Review evidence and prepare a declaration or an affidavit or provide testimony
• Assist in the cross-examination of witnesses during deposition

Call us at 512-659-3179 when you need an advantage.

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