Financial Fraud and Other Shenanigans

Data Detective: How Frank Wilson’s Innovative Investigation Techniques Exposed Al Capone’s Tax Evasion Scheme


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During the Roaring 20s in the US, Prohibition outlawed the

sale of alcohol which led to gangs of criminals and bootleggers ruling urban cities, among them was the notorious Al “Scarface” Capone. Al Capone was
deemed Public Enemy Number One and illegally earned millions of dollars but never paid any income taxes. That is until an unsung hero named Frank J. Wilson developed evidence to convict the elusive Capone and send him to
jail. Frank Wilson was an IRS investigator who some consider the father of modern forensic accounting investigative techniques. His dedication, attention
to detail and interviewing skills brought to light hidden trails of cash that Capone enjoyed but never declared. Wilson’s approach to analyzing data influenced future investigators as they too would “follow the money”.  In addition, Frank Wilson was instrumental in developing methods to identify the kidnapper and murderer in the infamous Lindbergh baby kidnapping. As Wilson and his team reviewed millions of handwritten and hard copy documents, in today’s world, the investigations of
fraud involve the digital age of electronic data.  Data analysts with a variety of data and analytic tools can efficiently obtain, analyze and identify the needles in
the terabyte haystacks. Our special guest, Joe Hoang, is a seasoned data analyst and technology advisor who works hand in hand with today’s Frank Wilsons to conduct financial fraud investigations and assist companies and
individuals. Joe takes us through the development and use of data analytics into the modern era.

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Host: Jim Barratt

Website: Barratt Consulting Group

LinkedIn profile:  Jim Barratt, CPA, CFF | LinkedIn

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Special Guest:  Joseph

Hoang, Ascendant Solution Group

LinkedIn profile:  Joseph N. Hoang, CFE | LinkedIn

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To learn more about Frank J. Wilson:

“Special Agent-A Quarter Century with the Treasury

Department and the Secret Service” by Chief Frank J. Wilson and Beth Day, 1965,
by Holt, Rinehart and Winston

The Undercover Man, film, 1949 starring Glenn Ford

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Voiceovers by Cat Stratakis.

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Financial Fraud and Other ShenanigansBy Jim Barratt