3 CPEs
Cost: $25 Members - $40 Non-Members
Agenda
9:00 AM
Opening Remarks: Michael McCall, President-ACFE Boston Chapter
9:10 – 10:25
Back to Basics: Fighting Fraud the “Low-Tech” Way
Sometimes the use of data analytics is not possible when fighting fraud in small organizations or government programs. This case study illustrates how a small state, tasked with distributing $350+ million dollars of COVID Rent Relief funds, identified, investigated, and prevented payment of nearly $20 million of fraudulent on-line applications. Maine’s experience provides evidence that the use of tried and true “low-tech” techniques, from fraud identification to fraud investigation, can still be successful without access to system data collected by a network of partners responsible for program administration.
Bio: Linda L Grotton, CFE, CIA is the Director of Audit for Maine State Housing Authority (MaineHousing), an independent state agency passionate about creating and preserving safe, warm, and affordable housing for Maine people. Reporting to the Audit Committee of the Board of Commissioners, she is responsible for internal auditing, federal program compliance, and fraud prevention and investigation.
She was a founding member and past Treasurer of the initial Maine Chapter of the ACFE. Additionally, she is a past President of the Downeast Maine Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), as well as a former IIA District Representative and Advisor.
Over the past few years, she has shared her experience fighting pandemic-era fraud with attendees of the ACFE Global Conference in Seattle, the ACFE Government Anti-Fraud Summit in Washington, DC, and the IIA Regional Conference at Mohegan Sun, Connecticut.
10:30 - 11:45
Mortgage Fraud Scam
This presentation examines a large-scale mortgage fraud scheme investigated by the FBI that resulted in the indictment of more than 20 defendants. The case involved a coordinated network of attorneys, mortgage brokers, real estate developers, appraisers, and runners who orchestrated fraudulent transactions to obtain illicit loan proceeds. Attendees will gain insight into how the scheme operated, how it was uncovered, and key investigative strategies used to build the case.
Bio: Nick Barbara is a Certified Fraud Examiner and Massachusetts attorney with extensive experience in white collar crime investigations, law enforcement leadership, and fraud risk management. He has been a member of the Massachusetts Bar since 1986. Nick earned his Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He obtained his Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential in 2024.
Nick began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office (1988–1990). He then served more than two decades as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (1991–2012), where he specialized in white collar crime investigations.
Following his service with the FBI, Nick served as Assistant Deputy Superintendent with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office (2012–2019), working within the Internal Affairs Department. He later served as Team Leader of the Payroll Protection Plan Fraud Group at Guidehouse Inc. (2020–2023), overseeing investigative teams focused on complex fraud matters related to federal relief programs.
Nick currently serves as an Investigator with Peraton Inc. (2024–Present).