Episode 103 James D. Ruotolo, Fraud Consultant

In this episode of Fraudish, Kelly sits down with forensic accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner Candy Bellau, whose journey into the world of fraud is anything but typical.From never picturing herself as a forensic accountant to building a career in the field, Candy brings heart, humor, and a whole lot of real talk. We dive into the personal side of fraud—because let’s face it, there’s always more to the story.Candy opens up about her own family’s history with fraud (yes, it’s complicated), the mystery of her grandmother’s disappearance, and how those experiences shaped her drive to uncover the truth. We also dig into the three Cs of fraud—culture, controls, and compensation—and why vulnerability might be your most underrated networking skill.Plus: how she’s navigating life as a firm owner ( Check out Kramerica Solutions ), what she wishes more people knew about forensic accounting, and why ethics, culture, and curiosity matter more than ever.What we cover:How Candy found herself in the fraud world (and stayed!)The hidden power of vulnerability in building your networkThe three Cs of fraud and why they’re still relevantCandy’s family story—including a mystery that’s yet to be solvedThe realities of running your own firm (and starting a podcast about it)If you’ve ever felt like the personal and professional are more tangled than we admit—this one’s for you.Connect with Candy:https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicejohnsonkramerica/https://www.kramericasolutions.com/

Think OSINT is just glorified Googling? Think again. In this episode, I chat with Claudia Tietze, a creative technologist who went from film and theater to fraud-fighting. We dig into how OSINT actually works, why creativity matters in investigations, and how AI and ethics collide in this weird little world. Plus, Claudia shares her take on trend spotting and her work building a better OSINT community with Valor.Connect with Claudia:https://www.linkedin.com/in/supersecretsquirrel/Claudia's Medium: https://medium.com/@farallonValinor: https://valinorintelligence.com/

In this episode of Fraudish, Kelly sits down with the one and only Matt Kelly to talk all things compliance… and trust us, it’s more than just rules and regulations!We kick things off with a big question: Do you need to be a lawyer to work in compliance? The answer? Well… it depends. (Yep, we said it.) But this convo goes far beyond JD requirements. Matt shares his take on how the evolving political landscape is quietly shaping the compliance profession—and why organizational culture matters now more than ever.Whether you’re already in compliance, considering the field, or just want to understand how risk fits into the bigger picture, this episode delivers fresh insights and real talk. Because while rules may change, risk is forever.We cover:Why the "Do I need a JD?" debate in compliance is the wrong starting pointHow shifting political climates influence compliance functionsThe role of culture and change management in today’s orgsWhy compliance isn’t just about following the rules—it’s about understanding risk🧠 A thoughtful, timely conversation with one of the sharpest voices in the industry.Connect with Matt:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkellycompliance/Radical Compliance:https://www.radicalcompliance.com/about/https://www.radicalcompliance.com/resources/https://www.radicalcompliance.com/2024/08/05/cco-compensation-update/Resources Mentioned:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_to_Greathttps://heathbrothers.com/books/made-to-stick/https://www.intentionalintegrity.com/robert-chesnut

In this episode, Kelly sits down with Blair Cohen, founder of AuthenticID, for a fascinating look into how fraud has evolved and how technology is fighting back.💡 From his early days in employment screening to launching a cutting-edge identity verification company, Blair shares his unique journey and deep industry insights.🔍 What You'll Learn:How fraud has shifted from solo grifters to organized global networksThe rising threat of synthetic identities, deepfakes, and AI-driven scamsWhy ethical considerations are crucial when developing fraud detection techBlair’s work with the Identity Theft Resource Center and support for severe identity theft victims💬 Whether you're a fraud professional, auditor, or just fascinated by the intersection of tech and cybersecurity, this episode is packed with insight you won’t want to miss.🎧 Tune in and learn how to stay one step ahead in the ever-changing world of fraud.Links:Connect with Blair: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blair-cohen/AuthenticID: https://www.authenticid.com/about/Blair Interview: https://pulse2.com/authenticid-profile-blair-cohen-interview/Who is Government: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219551344-who-is-government

What happens when a true crime lover, travel industry insider, and ethical researcher combine forces? You get Vacations Can Be Murder - and in this episode, you’ll learn how it all came to life.Kelly sits down with journalist and author Dawn Barclay, whose latest book blends dark tourism with meticulous storytelling. From haunted hotels to infamous gravesites and real crime scenes across New England, Dawn unpacks how she curates travel experiences rooted in true crime - without sensationalizing or crossing ethical lines.In this episode, fraud pros will take away:How to responsibly research and present sensitive crime contentWhy victim resources are essential in true crime narrativesThe fine line between educational curiosity and exploitationReal-life case stories that influenced Barkley’s writingInsights into balancing public interest with privacy and respectPlus, get a sneak peek into her upcoming regional guides, and why interest in dark tourism is growing.If you're fascinated by the intersection of ethics, storytelling, and criminal history, this one’s for you.Get Dawn’s Book: https://vacationscanbemurder.weebly.com/Subscribe to her Substack https://barrsinister.substack.com/Connect with Dawn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnbarclay/Dawn's Website: https://www.dawnbarclayink.com/http://www.dmbarr.com/https://murderpedia.org/https://www.sistersincrime.org/https://jodemillman.com/https://mysterywriters.org/

How do fraudsters convince people to hand over their life savings? And why do so many scams go undetected until it’s too late?In this episode of Fraudish, we dive into the dark world of investment fraud with Stephen Kirk, Chief Internal Auditor for the Illinois Department of Transportation and author of A Betrayal of Trust. Steven has spent years unraveling Ponzi schemes, asset pooling scams, and securities fraud - cases where victims often lose everything. Stephen formerly led a team of compliance auditors for the Securities Department when he uncovered the frauds discussed in this episode.  He shares the red flags every investor should know, the ethical dilemmas in financial crime, and how compliance loopholes allow fraud to thrive. Plus, we get a glimpse into his upcoming books and how writing helps him process the emotional toll of his work.If you want to protect yourself from financial fraud, this episode is a must-listen.Connect with StephenBetrayal of Trust bookhttps://brokercheck.finra.org/Yellowbook CPE

This week, Kelly sits down with Dana Timmerman, a seasoned private investigator and OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) expert, to explore the critical thinking skills behind fraud investigations. Dana dives into cases and how deep social media and asset analysis can expose deception. He shares his personal journey into the world of investigations - fueled by a life-changing experience searching for his daughter. From ethical dilemmas to bias awareness, Dana breaks down the mindset investigators need to navigate complex cases. He also discusses the growing role of AI in OSINT and draws on insights from experts to refine investigative techniques.🔎 Connect with Dana: LinkedInhttps://www.skopenow.com/news/the-lego-method?

What if the word “whistleblower” conjured up something more powerful than a piercing whistle?This week’s guest thinks it should—and she’s leading the charge to reframe what it really means to blow the whistle.In this episode of Fraudish, Kelly speaks with Jackie Garrick, founder of Whistleblowers of America and author of Be a Giraffe. Jackie opens up about her own experience as a whistleblower and what it takes to stand tall in the face of retaliation. She shares the emotional toll of speaking out, the ethical gray areas whistleblowers often navigate, and why mental health support and community are critical pieces of the puzzle.From finding legal representation to shifting public perception, Jackie is on a mission to make sure whistleblowers aren’t just heard—but understood.Connect with Jackie and her work:🔗 Whistleblowers of America📘 Be a Giraffe🎥 YouTube Channel🏢 Workplace Promise Institute📅 WPI Conference Info

In this episode of Fraudish, Kelly sits down with Doug Cash, a seasoned forensic accountant and fraud investigator at EideBailly LLP, to explore the ins and outs of catching financial criminals. From his early days in law enforcement to handling complex embezzlement cases in the private sector, Doug shares the twists and turns of a career built on exposing the truth.You’ll hear:💼 Doug’s path from cop to CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner) 🔍 The emotional and ethical weight of fraud investigations 🛡️ Why internal controls are everything 📚 The difference between forensic accounting and traditional auditing 🚓 How law enforcement and private sector investigators can work together (or not!) 🎥 Plus: some of Doug’s favorite fraud-related films and TV showsThis episode is packed with practical advice for current and aspiring fraud fighters, as well as anyone curious about what really goes into cracking financial crimes.Links & Resources:🔗 Connect with Doug: LinkedIn 🏢 Learn more about EideBailly: eidebailly.com 🎬 Fraud-ish Film Picks:Liar Liar – IMDbThe Cable Guy – IMDbInventing Anna – IMDbFerris Bueller's Day Off – IMDb

Do you have a personal brand? Yes, you. Yes... even investigators need brands! Luckily Kate Marston is on to help investigators develop their brands and get creative with their investigative careers.Key points discussed:The importance of branding for investigatorsKate's career trajextory from the Metropolitan Police to Burberry (yes, like the jackets!)The need for proper training in investigations, especially for HR professionalsThe value of creativity and context in investigative workThe impact of investigations on investigators' mental healthListen up for some creativity filled advice for investigators and fraud fighters!Connect with Kate on LinkedinLine of Duty (TV Series 2012–2021) ⭐ 8.7 | Crime, Drama, MysteryHappy Valley (TV Series 2014–2023) ⭐ 8.5 | Crime, Drama, ThrillerDo No Harm: A Skilled Surgeon Makes the Best Murderer . . . https://g.co/kgs/g17ywUW