MYCPE ONE

Fraud Updates Aug’25 – Trust Heist, Medicare Fraud & $140M Ponzi 0.5 Credit 0.5 Credit

Fraud Updates Aug’25 – Trust Heist, Medicare Fraud & $140M Ponzi 0.5 Credit 0.5 Credit

  • Rating

    4.8

  • Published on

    August, 2025

    Published on

    August, 2025

  • Subject Area

    Specialized Knowledge

Learning mode

E-Book
  • Access the course at your convenience
  • Take the assessment test
  • Get your certificate
  • Attend the live interactive session
  • Answer the polling questions
  • Get your certificate

Access to this course is included with a MYCPE ONE subscription.

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Learning Objectives

  • Discuss Hill Associates’ contract fraud and its compliance consequences.
  • Identify payroll tax manipulation tactics used by executives like Comeau.
  • Analyze fraudulent return preparation schemes and their enforcement outcomes.
  • Explain Ponzi scheme structures through the Brant Frost IV case.
  • Explore real estate tax evasion through Ronald Cordes’ shell entities.

Course Overview

Fraud doesn’t always hide in complex Wall Street deals it often lives in plain sight. Take Hill Associates, a Maryland IT firm that padded invoices with unqualified staff and phantom fees, ultimately settling $14.75 million in False Claims Act penalties. Or John Comeau, a flashy California CEO who skipped $1.1 million in payroll taxes while his employees’ Social Security benefits hung in the balance. These stories show how compliance failures can spiral into costly federal cases.

Across the country, enforcement agencies are sharpening their focus. Phoenix tax preparer Pacifique Kashosi allegedly filed inflated fuel and sick-leave credits, while Seattle businessman Ronald Cordes concealed $4.7 million through shell entities, leaving him convicted on multiple counts of tax evasion. Then there’s Brant Frost IV, a Georgia banker and political figure accused of running a $140 million Ponzi scheme that drained nearly 300 investors, many from his religious and political circles. From contract fraud to tax evasion, no corner of finance is safe.

Major Topics:

  • Federal Contract Fraud Cases
  • Payroll Tax Manipulation
  • Return Preparer Schemes
  • Ponzi Investment Scandals
  • Real Estate Evasion

This CPE course unpacks these five headline cases to spotlight the recurring red flags: ignored contract terms, falsified returns, lifestyle mismatches, and promises too good to be true. By studying these real-world breakdowns, financial professionals can sharpen their audit readiness, strengthen ethical safeguards, and spot fraud before it takes root. These courses are not just cautionary tales they are strategies for survival. Join us to protect your practice and your clients.

This e-book has been compiled from various articles and insights contributed by multiple professionals.

For more CPE Fraud Courses, Click here.

On Demand Credits for All Qualifications

License details Credits Status
Specialized Knowledge for Certified Public Accountants (CPA-US) 0.5 CPE Approved
Forensic auditing for Certified Internal Auditors (CIA) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Fraud Auditing and Forensic Accounting for Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Auditing for Certified Management Accountants (CMA) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Auditing for Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Fraud prevention, detection and response for Certified Financial Forensics (CFF) 0.5 CPD Eligible
Financially-related fraud for Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Specialized Knowledge for Delaware Licensed Public Accountant (DE-LPA) 0.5 CPE Approved
Auditing for Internal Audit Practitioner (IAP) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Fraud Auditing and Forensic Accounting for Certified Internal Controls Auditor (CICA) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Business Fraud and Deterrence for Master Analyst In Financial Forensics (MAFF) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Auditing for Qualification in Internal Audit Leadership (QIAL) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Specialized Knowledge for Iowa Licensed Public Accountant (IA-LPA) 0.5 CPE Approved
Fraud Auditing and Forensic Accounting for Certified Controls Specialist (CCS) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Specialized Knowledge for Maine Licensed Public Accountant (ME-LPA) 0.5 CPE Approved
License details Credits Status
Specialized Knowledge for Certified Public Accountants (CPA-US) 0.5 CPE Approved
Forensic auditing for Certified Internal Auditors (CIA) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Fraud Auditing and Forensic Accounting for Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Auditing for Certified Management Accountants (CMA) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Auditing for Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Fraud prevention, detection and response for Certified Financial Forensics (CFF) 0.5 CPD Eligible
Financially-related fraud for Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Specialized Knowledge for Delaware Licensed Public Accountant (DE-LPA) 0.5 CPE Approved
Auditing for Internal Audit Practitioner (IAP) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Fraud Auditing and Forensic Accounting for Certified Internal Controls Auditor (CICA) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Business Fraud and Deterrence for Master Analyst In Financial Forensics (MAFF) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Auditing for Qualification in Internal Audit Leadership (QIAL) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Specialized Knowledge for Iowa Licensed Public Accountant (IA-LPA) 0.5 CPE Approved
Fraud Auditing and Forensic Accounting for Certified Controls Specialist (CCS) 0.5 CPE Eligible
Specialized Knowledge for Maine Licensed Public Accountant (ME-LPA) 0.5 CPE Approved

Additional Information

Credits

0.5

Course Level

Basic

Instructional Method

QAS Self Study

Group Internet Based

Pre-requisites

None

Advance Preparation

None

NASBA APPROVED

MY-CPE LLC, 1600 Highway 6 south, suite 250, sugar land, TX, 77478

MY-CPE LLC is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

About Author

Top Tax Speaker | Jason Dinesen

Jason Dinesen EA

President, Dinesen Tax & Accounting, P.C.

  • 4.6
  • rating
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Jason Dinesen (LPA, EA) is an entrepreneur, tax expert, and CPE Presenter. Dinesen brings over 15 years of experience helping individuals and businesses with accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparation, and business advisory in various industries. Dinesen is a regular CPE Presenter at MYCPE ONE. He has coached more than 200k+ accounting, taxes, and HR professionals on various topics of accounting, individual taxation, corporate taxation, and professional ethics. Jason has developed a strong following within the professional community for tax-related subjects. Dinesen is known for sharp tax interpretations, and he quickly brings his analysis of the latest tax updates and IRS guidance to the professional community.

On Demand FAQs

What is Self Study (QAS)?

Self Study QAS (Quality Assurance Service) is a NASBA and other regulatory bodies approved program designed for Professionals to complete their Continuing Professional Education credits through self-paced, interactive courses that meet the highest standards of quality and compliance. Our courses qualify for credits with NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other professional organizations.

How do I earn CPE credits through self-study?

To earn CPE credits, you must complete the self-study course, pass the required assessments, and submit the necessary documentation. Credits are awarded based on the completion of course hours and successfully passing the assessments.

Are the self-study courses accepted by NASBA and other professional organizations?

MY-CPE LLC courses are accepted for continuing education credit by various professional certification programs, including NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, and HRCI. MY-CPE LLC is also recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® and SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

What are the requirements to maintain compliance with self-study courses?

To maintain compliance, you must follow the guidelines set by NASBA and other regulatory bodies, which include completing the course within the specified timeframe, passing the assessments, and keeping accurate records of your learning activities.

How can I access my course completion certificates?

After successfully completing a self-study course and passing the assessments, you can access and download your course completion certificates from your account dashboard on our platform. These certificates are recognized by NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other professional organizations for compliance and reporting purposes.

How are credits reported to governing bodies?

We issue instant credit certificates, ensuring they are valid for presentation to governing bodies. Typically, we report IRS, CTEC, CFP, IDFP, IWI, VBOA Ethics credits within 7 days – the fastest in the industry.

Reviews and Ratings

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Jeffrey Mcgahren, CPA (US)

5

I like the length of the course and the questions were reasonable

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5

convenient and can't beat the price

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Fraud Trends Aug’25

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